Roberval & Saguenay Ry 2-8-0 No. 17
Boone, Iowa, United States 		Location: Boone Welcome Train - Highway 30 and South Story Street
Status: Display
Related Notes
Photo Copyright © Jeff Terry
Here are the notes for Roberval & Saguenay Ry No. 17, a 2-8-0 located in Boone, IA. If you have additional information about this locomotive, and would like to share it, click the Add Note button.
Posted: Apr 21, 2020 @ 22:04:11 by Dillon Trinh
CO&E 17 is NOT the last ever steam locomotive use in the U.S.A for revenue service, that title goes to North American Rayon Company 1 a 0-6-0f and a 0-4-0f in Michigan, both retired in the 1990s.
Posted: Aug 2, 2011 @ 20:08:48 by Jeff Terry
In regards to the main photo, it was taken in 2010, and the smoke and steam were simulated.
Posted: Apr 1, 2011 @ 10:04:51 by Gary
The B&SV RR paid $50,000 for the 17.
Posted: Apr 18, 2008 @ 20:04:25 by Chris Bollinger
I saw the 17 on a visit to Boone and from what I saw, the boiler and smokebox were shot. I personally wouldn't mind seeing the 17 back with its old friend, the former CO&E #5 down here in Missouri. I think 17 has a nice home where it is though. The engine looks cosmetically about as good as it can. The 17 no doubt needs extensive work. We could do it down here but it would have to wait its turn behind 5. I think the fellows in Iowa probably have the right idea. It looks good in pictures. I don't know what they gave for the 17 and I don't know what they would ask for it but for one to want to do something with this engine would require a tremendous amount of labor and money, but probably not a lot of sense. Chris Bollinger, StLIM&SRy
Posted: Feb 24, 2008 @ 21:02:58 by Chris Bollinger
I know what it's like to work on a heavily modified locomotive. We have former CO&E #5. It's about as modified of a locomotive as you can get. I will give credit to the CO&E for their idea for the 5. It looks good, a little slippery though, and the cool thing about, it's a Columbia. How many of those do you see? Chris Bollinger, StLIM&SRy.
Posted: Jan 24, 2008 @ 13:01:20 by Phil Hopkins
When the No. 17 arrived at Boone, IA it was little more than a decrepit, abused wreck, that frankly, would have been far bettr off as razor blades than a display or an operating locomotive. Let's inject a bit of realism into this discussion. Mr. Bridges attempts "to find a better home" for the locomotive are, at best, offensive. It is NOT his locomotive, he has no authority (or for that matter ability) to find it a "better home". Secondly, no one is going to donate significant money to restore a locomotive so modified as to make its lineage unrecognizable, and one which would be hard pressed to earn its keep even if there were a place to run it, rolling stock to pull behind it and a clientele to ride it. If you want (or need) a runnable Consolidation, there are a number of them available that could be restored with relative ease compared to this critter. Monty Holm's 557 comes readily to mind. So however much it may appeal to Mr. Bridges, because of his association with it, his talk of finding it a new home is arrogant and offensive, considering he doesn't own it, nor have any influence on its disposition. But enough ... no matter what I say, he'll continue tilting at this particular windmill. Regards, Phil
Posted: Jan 24, 2008 @ 13:01:28 by Edward Bridges

The reasoning behind removing the superheaters while the 17 was on the CO&E was we didn't have a need for them.  Hugh Crane wanted a simple to maintain steam locomotive and he got it by modifying the 17 to suit his needs.

A lot was done to the 17 between its trip from Marion to Boone.  It spent considerable time in the UP yard at Dupo, Il, where some "boiler work" was supposedly done. 

The 17 left our property February 24, 1987 and it was not serviceable when it left.  The whole reason behind selling her was she had a collapsed drypipe.

I have revived my preservation group with the hopes of finding the 17 a new home.  Twenty years of harsh Iowa winters have not been kind to this locomotive.  The time has come to find her a new home where she will get the care she deserves.

The 17 was the last steam locomotive used primarily and exclusively for common carrier freight service in the United States.  We ran her until September 8, 1986.  The 17 never was used to haul our tourist trains, which ended in 1978, she only hauled freight.

Although some in Iowa may think of the 17 as worthless, she means an awful lot to those of us who remember seeing her in operation.

Edward Bridges

Conductor & Company Historian

Crab Orchard & Egyptian Railroad

Marion, Illinois

Posted: Oct 5, 2007 @ 24:10:11 by Chris Bollinger
I will never understand why the CO&E converted this locomotive from superheated to saturated. I've heard it was for economic reasons but that makes no sense at all. Converting the locomotive cut the efficiency and the horsepower by 30%. To replace the flu sheets and buy all those extra smaller tubes would be much more expensive than to just fix the locomotive correctly not to mention the extra cost for the extra fuel consumption to do the same job. I'm thankful to the CO&E for the 5 and the 17. But you have to wonder, what were they thinking.
Posted: Oct 25, 2004 @ 23:10:59 by Travis

Although it is still a static display, the front headlight and front and rear number boards on 17 have been illuminated starting last weekend.  It looks neat both during the day and at night.  The link is for a picture of 17 taken 10/25/04 at 19:15.

http://www.scenic-valleyrr.com/coe_17_night.jpg

-Travis

Posted: Sep 28, 2004 @ 17:09:49 by Edward Bridges

2-8-0 #17 was owned by the CO&E from 1975 until 1987, but was only used by the CO&E as an active locomotive from 1979-1986.

Nice to see this once proud locomotive got some attention recently!  Nice job!

Posted: Sep 15, 2004 @ 21:09:16 by Doug Bailey

I would like to thank Edward Bridges for pointing out an inconsistency in our data. It has generally been our policy to list locomotives under their railroad of origin, or under the name of the railroad where they served the longest. I'm not at all sure why we had this 2-8-0 listed as Crab Orchard & Egyptian, when it only served, I think about 12 years on that railroad.

Anyhow, thanks to Edward for pointing out this inconsistency. I've changed the database to reflect this locomotive's origin and the bulk of its service life on the Roberval & Saguenay.

Posted: Jul 11, 2004 @ 17:07:48 by Edward Bridges

It looks like someone at the B&SV cares about this locomotive.  She hasn't looked this good since they quit running her down in Marion, Illinois back in 1986!

Its nice to see this once proud locomotive get some much needed attention.  Looks like I probably need to start a fund to help with the upkepp of this locomotive to keep her presentable.

The B&SV personnel who did this should be commended for their hard work.  The futre now looks somewhat brighter for this locomotive.

Edward Bridges

Unofficial Historian of the Crab Orchard & Egyptian Railroad

 

Posted: Jul 1, 2004 @ 23:07:38 by Travis

Here's the link to a recent picture of #17. 

http://www.scenic-valleyrr.com/coe17.jpg

Due to its prominent location on the B&SVRR property, it is one of the most photographed pieces of equipment on the grounds.

Posted: Jun 27, 2004 @ 12:06:53 by Edward Bridges
Glad to hear that something has been done to the 17. I will have to make a trip to Iowa sometime to see the locomotive sometime. I have brought back the COER Steam Preservation group in Yahoo groups, which will be used to keep track of how the two steam locomotives once owned by the CO&E are being cared for today as well as the 35 ton Davenport the CO&E rostered during its steam era. Hope we can see some images of the repainted 17 sometime. Edward Bridges
Posted: May 13, 2004 @ 23:05:45 by Travis
While #17 may not be returned to service at the BSV, I can tell you that the paint job it received last fall had chaged it from a rust box to something that actually resembles a steam locomotive.  I'll try to located a recent photo.
Posted: Apr 14, 2004 @ 20:04:03 by Edward Bridges

Due to a general lack of serious interest, I have dissloved the COERSteamPreservation group mentioned in an earlier posting here.

 

I haven't given up on this locomotive, just other, more pressing matters at hand right now.

I have heard the 17 had some paint work done, would like to see this, anyone got pictures?

 

Edward Bridges

 

Posted: Jan 6, 2004 @ 21:01:12 by Edward Bridges

The 17 does have some historical significance, maybe not to the B&SV, but to others it does.

The 17 was sold while I was a part-time employee of the CO&E.  I helped prepare the 17 for its trip to Iowa back in February, 1987.

This locomotive IS worthy of a restoration, probably not at the B&SV.  The past 18 years of harsh Iowa winters and her being left open all this time haven't helped her condition at all.

I am hoping to find her some help, or a new home.

Edward Bridges

Unofficial Historian of the CO&E Railroad

Former CO&E employee (1986-1987)

 

Posted: Dec 9, 2003 @ 19:12:25 by Phil Hopkins

This locomotive was purchased by the B&SV based largely on representations by the CO&E that the locomotive could be easily and inexpensively restore and placed into revenue service.

When the locomotive arrived in Boone, and a detailed examination was made, it was found to be in appalling condition, in need of complete replacement of the dry pipes, refluing, extensive firebox, boiler and running gear work. The cost estimate to place the locomotive in service (in 1988!) was over $500,000.

It was considerably less expensive to purchase the JS8419 from China, and have it shipped here and modified for US service (addition of tricocks, second sight gauge, and, if memory serves, a stoker) than it would have been to restore the CO&E 17. So 17 got parked.

As a restoration project I cannot imagine what would prompt anyone to spend $800K on up to $1.2 million to restore this locomotive. It is of no historical significance to speak of. Its cab, superheater and feedwater heater modifications leave it unrecognizable as Canadian Locomotive Company product. And it bears little resemblance to its service days on the Roberval & Saguenay.

I cannot imagine the B&SV doing anything beyond cosmetic restoration on this thing. It would be of zero economic benefit to them, and would provide them with nothing they don't already have in 8419.

Phil

Posted: Jan 20, 2003 @ 17:01:02 by Edward Bridges
2-8-0 #17 was sold February 9, 1987 to the B&SV.  It left COER property February 24, 1987.
Posted: Dec 8, 2002 @ 14:12:47 by Edward Bridges

I have begun a focus group to attempt to find the former Crab Orchard & Egyptian Railroad 2-8-0 #17 either a new home or be displayed properly.

Anyone seriously interested in preservation of this locomotive can join the group.  Lets not let this last steam locomotive to haul revenue freight in the US go away.

http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/COERSteamPreservation

 
Edward Bridges
Unofficial Historian of the Crab Orchard & Egyptian Railroad
Former CO&E Employee:  1986-1987
Modeling the CO&E in N Scale:  1978-1982
Ongoing book project:  The Crab Orchard & Egyptian Railroad:  30 Years of Shortline Railroading in Southern Illinois:  1973-2003
Group owner:  http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/COERHistoricalandTechnicalAssociation
Group owner:  http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/COERSteamPreservation
Member:  AustNtrak, Austin, TX
Granger, TX