The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Hear my train a-coming
The Painesville Railroad Museum is making room for its latest addition after announcing the arrival of a 32-foot-long Collinwood Alumni Engine #999 to the facility.
The Collinwood engine is an historic replica of the New York Central Empire Express Engine #999, the first engine to exceed 112 miles per hour.
Tom Pescha, vice president for the Painesville Railroad Museum, 475 Railroad Street, explained that their version is based off of the late 1800’s New York Central model. The Collinwood version was constructed in the 1930s under the guidance of Peter Ducosky and the American Legion’s Collinwood Post #999 during their work with the New York Central Collinwood Yard.
What started as an after-hours hobby by the legion members soon became their primary firstshift obligation after New York Central management grew to support their ambitions.
The engine was built on a 1930 Hudson truck frame with rubber tires. This allowed the smaller-than-average train engine to travel on streets, specifically for parades and fairs. It was used in the 50th anniversary of the original #999 engine’s record-breaking performance, as well as the Rose Bowl and other more regional destinations like The Lake County Fair Parade and the Fairport Mardi Gras Parade.
The engine is currently in storage at the Painesville Railroad Museum as organizers wait out the colder weather months, but Pescha anticipates showcasing the engine as 2020 warms.
Currently, the museum is seeking contributions to facilitate the construction of a display garage which would house the engine.
Pescha said that the garage would match the design of the first wood frame station that was built at the Painesville Depot in 1850. Proceeds from this year’s Railfest would have been earmarked for garage construction but it was cancelled due to concerns related to the novel coronavirus.
He also indicated that they will also be displaying related historical artifacts and other memorabilia from the Collinwood High School along with the #999 engine within the new exhibit garage.
“We are very optimistic of our relationship with the Painesville Railroad Museum,” Collinwood High School Alumni Association President Micheal Cavotta said in a press release. “They have shown great interest in helping with the preservation, maintenance and operation of the beloved #999 and have the talent within their group to succeed.”