A group called Corry Rails has been working to rebuild and renovate an old Climax-A locomotive built in Corry in 1902. It's been a lengthy project so far. It began in 2021. Regular viewers of The Last Word know that I come to the Corry Rails workshop at the end of each year to do an update on the work. Well, I'm back on this summer's day to tell you about another Climax-A that has arrived at the workshop.

The Climax-A that recently arrived is not full-size and it's not over 100 years old. It's a model with a 2.5” scale. It's six foot long and runs on a 7 1/2" gauge track. It was gifted to Corry Rails by Ken Roeh, a master builder from Yakima, Washington. The gift was a complete surprise.

"He's been following our Facebook page,” says Carl Wassick, Vice-Chairman of Corry Rails. “All of a sudden we get a phone call and he said Here's what I'd like to do. Would you be interested?”

Carl answered Ken with a resounding “Yeah!”

The fact that Mr. Roeh built this model locomotive shows that railroad historians from all over the world have a keen interest in Corry's railroad history. This model will be an inspiration to all the Corry Rails members who are working to restore and renovate a real Climax-A. The parts of that old locomotive were found in Alaska and brought back to Corry in 2019. Carl says having this model is like having a fine piece of jewelry.

"All of this was hand machined. Nothing bought off the shelf anywhere other than the electronics. And the machining is just exquisite," says Carl.

This mini-locomotive has four electric motors. Two 36-volt batteries, and a controller. While the rebuild of the real, full-scale Climax-A may take a few more years, members of Corry Rails hope they can soon take a ride behind the six foot long model. Yes, you can ride behind this locomotive.

"But we need to build a flatcar to sit on behind it so we can drive it. And we also need some track to run on,” says Carl.

There is onboard sound on this model. There's two speakers in which you can hear whistles and also the sound effects of steam coming from the engine. Carl and his fellow Corry Rails members love this gift. He says if anyone commissioned a master builder to make one, it would cost $40,000 to $50,000. Maybe even more.

Corry Rails is hoping anyone who has 7 ½” gauge track would be able to donate it to the organization. Also, anyone who would like to stop by and look at the model locomotive can show-up at the workshop on Saturday from 8:30am To 5:30pm or on Sunday from 8:30am to noon. The workshop is located at 132 Mead Avenue in Corry.