Dardanelle & Russellville #9 Status Updates – Mid-Continent Railway Museum

D&R #9 May 15-16, 2021 Work Session Progress Report

Posted on May 20, 2021 by Jeffrey LentzMay 20, 2021

We had a successful and safe volunteer session on the D&R #9 this last weekend, along with very cooperative weather. Only a light rain on Saturday morning. On both Saturday and Sunday, we had anywhere between 3 and 8 volunteers at any one time, and I want to give a huge thank you to those volunteers.

Fletcher works on removing the #9’s class lamps.

Lowering the hefty rear headlight which was removed from the tender.

With their help, we tackled “low hanging fruit,” and removed the rear light on the tender, the class lamps on the boiler, and most of the remaining loose parts and pieces that were in the locomotive. All those items are now stored and ready for individual restoration. We also removed the old rotting running boards from the flanks of the boiler, as they were only being held up by termites, so an obvious safety issue. We attempted to replace them with temporary running boards, but the old rusty original bolts prevented us from doing that for now. The only thing we were unsuccessful at was removing the #9’s bell. With the weight, and the height that it would have to be lowered using only manpower, we decided to play it safe and wait. We hope to get the #9 moved to a nearby location in the near future in hopes we can make access for equipment to be able to help us remove the bell and cradle.

As of now, we do not have a volunteer session planned for June but will send out that info when dates are determined. Again, thanks for everyone’s help this last weekend.

Update provided by Jason Reiman

Prepping the #9’s sand dome for later removal.

D&R #9 Cosmetic Restoration Work Sessions Scheduled

Posted on May 3, 2021 by Jeffrey LentzMay 4, 2021

The following update has been provided by Steve Pahl.

On behalf of the Mid-Continent Railway Museums Restoration Department, I would like to thank each and everyone who so generously donated to the D&R 9 Fund for her cosmetic restoration. I am happy to report that the $9999.99 goal was reached and then some. Jason R. and his 9 year old son are leading the project and already have started preparing the 9 for her transformation.

The pilot (cow catcher) has been removed for further evaluation and restoration which is no easy task, this will take a skilled woodworker to restore. Most of the vertical members, which are white oak, have pretty much rotted away over the past 45 + years since it was installed. Measurements, drawing, and photos will be taken as it awaits restoration. In the meantime, the pilot will be placed in safe storage on the property.

Jason has scheduled three work sessions so far this season. The following are the dates: May 15-16, July 10-11, and July 24-25. Jason will not be available in June, but there will be one or two work sessions scheduled. Dates to be determined at a later date. There is a lot of excitement with the D&R 9’s cosmetic restoration. She’s been waiting for over 25 years. Rest assured, the D&R 9 will be dressed to the “9’s” in the very near future. Again, your donations are very welcome and your volunteer hours are also welcome. Stay tuned for future updates and photos of OUR beloved D&R 9. Thank you.

Boiler Tags on backhead indicating boiler pressure, “Highest point of Crown sheet”, the dates the jacketing and lagging on the backhead was removed along with tube replacement, and Hydro tested. July 27, 1950.

Interested in joining the D&R #9 cosmetic restoration project as a volunteer? Let us know by sending an email to inquiries@midcontinent.org.

Donate to the D&R #9 Cosmetic Restoration

Posted on February 22, 2021 by Jeffrey LentzMarch 19, 2021

Mid-Continent Railway Museum has announced plans to begin the cosmetic restoration of the Dardanelle & Russellville #9 steam locomotive starting in Spring 2021. The restoration will be more than just slapping on a new coat of paint. It will involve a number of steps, each involving expenses: grinding, stripping, and blasting of the locomotive to provide a clean, rust-free surface, repair/replacement of deteriorated wood, sheet metal, and other custom components, primer, paint, and associated supplies, and finally the creation of interpretive display materials.

To complete this project, your help will be needed! Mid-Continent has begun fundraising for the project, with a goal of raising $9,999 to support the #9. If you wish to see Mid-Continent’s oldest locomotive made beautiful and ready for public display once again, please consider making a contribution today.

Mid-Continent Railway Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. All donations are 100% tax-deductible and a donation acknowledgment letter will be provided.

If you wish to become a project volunteer, please send an email to inquiries@midcontinent.org. Volunteer sessions are anticipated to begin in spring 2021.

Fundraising progress thermometer last updated: 03/19/2021.

Fundraising Update 3/19/2021:

Mission accomplished! Our fundraising goal for this project has been achieved. Thank you to everyone that has contributed.

steam locomotive no. 9 — D&R #9 in service at North Freedom, June 1969. Jim Neubauer photo.

D&R #9 Cosmetic Restoration Announced

Posted on December 22, 2020 by Jeffrey LentzDecember 23, 2020

Dardanelle & Russellville #9 is in need of a refresh. MCRM photo. 2018.

So, here we just added another steam locomotive project to the list. Now that’s exciting! The Dardanelle & Russellville #9 is probably the most worthy restoration project the Mid-Continent Railway Museum’s Steam Department will undertake. Even though it will only be a cosmetic restoration (at this time), the Steam Department is going to make her look like she’s ready for service.

Jason R., his 9-year old son Fletcher, along with Fletcher’s grandfather Jerry, are taking a lead role in the D&R #9’s cosmetic restoration.

This project isn’t just exciting because it’s the D&R #9, it’s also going to be lead by one of our newest members along with his nine-year-old son. I am setting this project up for our younger members, along with our older members, to experience the feeling of accomplishment and camaraderie when everyone is working for the one goal. Plus get to “play” with REAL trains and perform a service that will not just benefit the museum, but also the volunteer. These are my memories of when my father started bringing me to Mid-Continent back in 1966 and the D&R #9 was the daily steamer. This just didn’t happen to me, but many a young boy and girl. Ask MCRM members Bill Burhmaster, Ken Ristow, Wally Tisler, the list goes on. Generational participation is what makes the Mid-Continent Railway Museum one of a kind!

D&R #9 smokestack repair.

Currently, the 9’s smokestack has been repaired, the cab windows and doors have been removed for restoration, and fundraising has commenced. After the first of the year [2021] I will update you on a timeline for starting and completing the 9’s cosmetic restoration. So, please come back and check up on the happenings with our beloved 9.

Steve Pahl, Sr.
General Foreman of Steam Power
Mid-Continent Railway Museum

A Personal Photo Album

: The future MCRM General Foreman of Steam Power sits in the engineer seat of D&R #9 during a childhood visit to Mid-Continent.

: Pahl (far left) and a cadre of other MCRM volunteers pose alongside D&R #9.

History of Dardanelle & Russellville #9

Dardanelle & Russellville #9 is the oldest steam locomotive in Mid-Continent Railway Museum’s collection. It was built in 1884 by the Burnham, Parry, Williams & Co. (commonly called Baldwin) at Philadelphia, PA. It was originally built for the 196-mile New Orleans & North Eastern Railroad as their locomotive #232.

The locomotive later found a home on an Arkansas shortline, Dardanelle & Russellville Railroad. There it was renumbered to #9. It served there until 1963, when it was moved on its own wheels to Mid-Continent Railway Museum. It took over for #1385 as the main duty engine at Mid-Continent in 1964 and remained in frequent use until the 1970s. It briefly returned to service for one summer in 1991 before again being pulled from service in need of boiler and tender work.

More history and photos available on the D&R #9 Roster Page

Donate to the D&R #9 Fund

Funds will be needed to cover the cost of materials used as part of #9’s cosmetic restoration. You can donate toward this project with a credit/debit card by using the Donate button or by sending a printable donation form along with a check (be sure to write in “D&R #9” in the Special Projects portion of the form). All donations to Mid-Continent are tax-deductible.

Become a Project Volunteer

This project is just getting underway. We’ll share more information about how you join the MCRM Steam Team in future updates. Stay tuned!

More Photos of D&R #9

: D&R #9 at Mid-Continent Railway Museum. Photo circa 1964-1965.

: D&R #9 readies for departure from the museum’s first North Freedom depot. Circa 1964-1965.

: D&R #9 approaches a tell-tale at Rattlesnake Den (Quartzite Lake). The tell-tale warned of low clearance ahead of the rock quarry’s loading facilities.

: D&R #9 awaits the next departure in this early MCRM view. Walnut Street crossing (now named Museum Road) is just ahead. The gradually sloping hillside directly in front of the locomotive is now home to the museum’s two Coach Sheds.

: D&R #9 plows through heavy snow as it passes through La Rue. Photo possibly taken at Mid-Continent’s first ever Snow Train special event in 1976.