GOOD NEWS.

At the start of the year, I called attention to two historic electric locomotives marooned at a construction site near Albany.

There might be more ferroequinologically significant rolling stock extant than there are resources to conserve them, as we have learned watching local preservation railways having to choose among projects.  But when the first successful mainline electric locomotive in the United States is still extant, if endangered, an all-hands effort to conserve it might be in order.

We were only looking at the technology that made Grand Central Terminal possible and contributed to the appearance of many a Christmas tree, and ferroequinologist financial support was in order.

There are production model S motors in preservation but not operable outside St. Louis, and at the Illinois Railway Museum.  The design lives on in several series of tinplate electric trains by Lionel and other manufacturers, and one occasionally appears in Cold Spring Shops Festive Season videos.  The sole T-3 motor survived thanks to a decision by Penn Central or Conrail to replace an even older Pennsylvania Railroad DD-1 motor on the wire train working the East River tunnels.  A third-rail motor could use Long Island's third rail, and the overhead wire de-energized for work.  That DD-1 therefore made it into preservation at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

Good news on what has otherwise been a stressful day. The two locomotives have been disassembled and loaded onto low-boys for transportation to Danbury.

As the land the electrics were sitting on began to be redeveloped a few years ago, it appeared the end was near for the motors. But thanks to a frantic fundraising effort and a series of temporary moves, the museum was able to get the motors out of the way, at least momentarily.

Officials have not provided a set schedule for the move or information about when they will be unloaded, but it’s likely to be in the coming days. The motors are currently on private property.

People interested in donating to the effort to restore the motors can visit DanburyRail.org/Donate.

They're on my "Nice" list for Christmas.