GRAND RAPIDS, Ohio — The Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway and Museum has received a grant to help restore its former Chesapeake & Ohio Alco S4, No. 5109, to operating condition, the organization has announced.
The Anderson Foundation has awarded a $5,140 grant that the tourist railroad says in a Facebook post will be used, along with donations from other supporters, will allow the repair of the locomotive built in 1953 for use on its Bluebird passenger train. The TLE&W says the locomotive project is part of “Phase I” in getting the Bluebird train back in operation.
The Maumee, Ohio-based foundation, founded in 1949 by Harold and Margaret Anderson and their family, supports a wide variety of commuter endeavors. The Toledo, Lake Erie & Western, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, operates on 10 miles of former Norfolk & Western trackage between Grand Rapids and Waterville, Ohio, southwest of Toledo. More information is available on the TLE&W website.
The federal government wouldn’t give grants to rebuild ALCO locomotives because the CARB set the emission standards on it’s head. The Engine blocks “HAD” to be destroyed.
Now a private foundation gives money to restore an old ALCO in a different state. You can’t make this stuff up. Got to love it.