Work on Shay locomotive is five years along

Letter to the Editor:

On Sunday, the Heritage Museum hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon.

Bob Henline was present and wrote a nice article about our wonderful volunteers.

However, I was misquoted on the subject of the Shay Locomotive project.

The article read “Castaneda highlighted the museum’s successes during the summer season, including the beginning work on the Shay locomotive.”

What I said was, “Work on the Shay is moving forward”.

Work on the locomotive began in the fall of 2010. Shay Locomotive #4, affectionately called Ole 4 Spot, was moved from a static display in front of the Heritage Museum to the protection of the Shay Shed.

A dedicated crew of volunteers with a passion for steam locomotives begin the process of the rebuild at that time. 

Work continues five years later with the ultimate goal being 37 tons of steel rolling over a loop of track carrying visitors who have come from near and far to purchase a ride on this steam locomotive. All involved anxiously await the next stage of this process which is an ultrasound testing of the boiler and an overall evaluation by a highly regarded steam locomotive expert.

The Heritage Museum Railroad Committee continues to seek volunteers who would like to be a part of the rebuild of this 37-ton steam locomotive. August Hardgrove and Don Smart, along with a very small crew, are in the Shay Shed every Saturday morning working on Ole 4 Spot.  

If you have been thinking about stopping by for some time, to borrow the Montana Office of Tourism’s slogan, it’s time. 

A sincere thank you to all volunteers past or currently working on this important project.

To all who have donated money, we are extremely grateful.

Susan Castaneda is the president of the Heritage Museum board