J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad

First in a series of videos detailing the reassembly and restoration of the 48" Universal Plate Mill at the Carrie Furnaces National Historic Landmark in Swissvale, PA. The rolling mill and engine, originally installed across the Monongahela River at the US Steel Homestead Works, was dismantled and moved into storage in the early 1990s until finally being relocated to the Carrie Furnaces blowing engine house in 2013. Through a Save America's Treasures grant and other fundraising, the mill is now being reassembled and restored. Our organization, Youngstown Steel Heritage has been retained to manage this restoration project.

Its a rainy November day so might as well shoot an update video. Youngstown Steel Heritage Foundation J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad youngstownsteel.org

The centerpiece of the collection at Youngstown Steel Heritage is the Tod Engine, a 34" x 68" x 60" cross compound rolling mill engine that powered a rolling mill at the Youngstown Sheet & Tube Brier Hill Works from 1914 until 1979. We acquired it in 1996 and moved it to our site where it was mostly reassembled and restored. We are now working on finishing the restoration with an ultimate goal of using two of the Porter locomotives to provide steam. Now that colder weather is setting in we will be working on the Tod over the winter, so some future videos may focus on this project more than the J&L Narrow Gauge. Work will resume on the locomotives in the spring.

Work begins in earnest on the 62 and an explanation of why we are not longer operating for the public. J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad, Youngstown, OH www.youngstownsteel.org

I had to change the title since so many of you think we are building a two foot gauge Berkshire. Sorry to mislead. I was simply saying that in outward appearance it may look similar to one but it will always be an 0-4-0.

The J&L 62 arrived here from Colorado on August 18. Here we take a first look at our newest addition to the family. J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad, Youngstown, OH youngstownsteel.org

J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad is at 2261 Hubbard Road in Youngstown, Ohio. Youngstownsteel.org

J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad in Youngstown, OH

Just in time for the 2023 season, we installed this US&S Style S semaphore to govern movements eastbound out of Laughlin Junction. Assembled from parts obtained from various sources including the FP&E, Union Pacific and Erie, the signal makes a welcome addition to the J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad in Youngstown, OH youngstownsteel.org

J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad no. 58 is ready to run for the 2023 season in Youngstown, OH. We will be open on Saturdays starting in June for public train rides as well as offering the ability for you to operate the 58 on Sundays. Visit youngstownsteel.org for more information and schedules.

Just a short one this time, briefly explaining what tamping track is all about and why it is important. J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad Youngstown, OH youngstownsteel.org

Doing any work on a steam locomotive is a dirty job, but cleaning out a smokebox has to be on the top of that list! Getting things prepared for initial fire up in the first part of April, weather permitting. The J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad is located at 2261 Hubbard Road in Youngstown, OH. Visit us at youngstownsteel.org

We have concluded our 2022 season and am now working to get 58 ready for the winter. Also an update on the work being done to the caboose and other projects around the railroad. We had over 400 riders this year, hoping to hit 1,000 next year! Thanks everyone for your support of the J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad!

J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad. Youngstown, Ohio

Yes we got another caboose! It was the deal of the year. Couldn't pass it up! Soon to become our new gift shop. J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad 2261 Hubbard Road Youngstown, OH 44505 youngstownsteel.org

Update on the signal installation at Laughlin Junction, other stuff going on and a final call for registrations for this year's Steam Locomotive Experiences which will happen on October 1. https://youngstownsteel.org/event-4947582 I filmed this a couple of weeks ago and forgot to upload it. As is usual around here, things change so rapidly that a couple of big things have happened since then, so expect another video very soon. The remaining operating days for 2022 are September 10, 11, 24, 25 and October 8, 9, 22 and 23. J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad 2261 Hubbard Road Youngstown, OH 44505 youngstownsteel.org

We have three Steam Locomotive Experience days scheduled for August 6, 20 and September 3. Go to https://youngstownsteel.org/Operating-Days to register for your "Experience". Also check out this review of our first session: https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/jandl-58-experience-first-weekend-picture-heavy?fbclid=IwAR1k-KxUDrbEGChXA2qrt4q7wDI41XWJSmrUNO6WPF3MZ84tW1jvECAMkGE

Our latest "hairbrained scheme", the construction of a two foot gauge crane car got a good start today with the purchase of a used Auto Crane. J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad 2261 Hubbard Road Youngstown, OH 44505

The first part of the wiring of the switch machine at Laughlin Junction is done. Next we move on to getting the signals to work. J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad 2261 Hubbard Road Youngstown, OH 44505 youngstownsteel.org

On this Independence Day I am out pondering the installation of signals on our railroad and how they will function to help control train movements while adding a bit of operational interest. J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad 2261 Hubbard Road Youngstown, OH 44505 330-272-4089

By the time you see this video the pump has already been completed and is sitting in my truck ready to head over to the railroad for test operation. I will be firing the 58 up on Friday and have a steam hose to connect this to the boiler, and the plan is to run the pump to break it in. The delrin rings did fit and now lets see if they seal good enough to pump water at high pressure.

We need a better method of injecting water into 58's boiler so that we can increase our operating pressure to 200 psi from 180. This Gardner Denver 3x2x3 duplex pump has been in our collection for a while and has been chosen to be rebuilt and installed on the 58 to inject water up to 200 psi. This video explains why we are doing this project and also what we need to do to get this pump back in service on the J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad.