Restore 84
Join us in restoring a vintage SW-1 locomotive to it's former glory!
You can find the most recent information on our Restore 84 project on our "Updates" page, located here: https://www.stjohnsrail.com/blog
Former Chicago, Burlington and Quincy SW1 #9139 has sat quietly in a shed in Montana, unused and forgotten. The locomotive has evaded scrappers and being parted-out since the last time it was used in 2012, but it's secluded resting place has kept it from being noticed and has been given a second chance at life. The vintage locomotive was fully operational when it was parked in the small building it resides in today, and has been kept inside while not in use since arriving in Montana in 1984, which has helped to keep the unit in fantastic physical condition.
St Johns River has recently purchased the locomotive and is up to the task to return the unit to operating condition for a new home in the future, and we would be grateful your help!
History of #84
Locomotive #84, an EMD SW-1, was built in June of 1939 for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy as their #9139. With the formation of Burlington Northern in 1970, it became BN #84 and was sold in 1975 to the Davenport Rock Island & Northwestern. The unit received the simple black and white paint scheme it wears today at the "Dri Line," which has held up remarkably since it was applied. The DRI&NW retired the locomotive in 1984 and sold the unit to Peavey Grain, who assigned it to an elevator in Billings, MT. The "Billings Grain Terminal" lettering #84 received shortly after arriving in Montana still remains although ownership of the locomotive and property have changed hands several times since. #84's most recent owner, Gavilon Grain, recently shuttered their Billings facility and relocated operations, which left the future of the property and the forgotten locomotive, unknown.
October 1997 Photo - Larry Zeutschel photo
The Restore 84 Project
With the news of Gavilon's eventual sale of the property, St Johns River approached the company to attempt to save #84 from an unknown fate, reaching a deal in early 2022 to purchase the locomotive and remove it from the property by the end of the year.
Unit #84 is in fantastic physical shape due to being housed inside while not in use and requires very little attention to exterior or structural work. In October 2022, #84 was fired up for the first time in 20+ years, and has been put through some initial tests, mostly involving air brakes and electrical components. #84 runs under its own power, all safety appliances function, and all major mechanical parts (fuel/oil/water pumps/generator, etc) are in good working order. Friction bearing replacements or conversions and coupler replacements will need required for movement over rails, or transportation via truck will need to be organized at a later date.
April 1976 Photo - Photographer Unknown
You can find the most recent information on our Restore 84 project on our "Updates" page, located here: https://www.stjohnsrail.com/blog
How to Help:
Purchase a Restore 84 t-shirt below to help us fund the restoration and movement efforts of this historical locomotive. Additional merchandise and miscellaneous items will be available in the future. Those wishing to make additional or stand-alone monetary contributions can contact any member of the St Johns River team to discuss options. Each t-shirt purchased directly funds the Restore 84 project. We thank you tremendously for your contributions!
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BGT T-Shirt
Small
SIZE:
Medium
Large
X-Large
2 XL
3 XL
EACH SHIRT: $40.00
(Price includes shipping)
IMPORTANT:
Each "Buy Now" link purchases one shirt of the selected size.
For multiple shirts, or larger sizes, please contact us using the form below.
For measurement help: Click here
CB&Q T-Shirt
Small
SIZE:
Medium
Large
X-Large
2 XL
3 XL
During checkout, please make sure your shipping address is correct before finalizing checkout!
Shirts are printed in batches as required, we will notify you immediately when shirt is being printed at our source's factory, and when they are shipped out to their destination.
To place an order of multiple shirts and sizes, contact us below with design choices and sized of each desired shirt, and we will send you an invoice. Multi-shirt orders will be billed at $30 per shirt.
Any questions can also be forwarded to us via this form.
Want to further help us Restore 84? Consider donating any amount to the project by clicking on the tab below.
All monetary contributors will receive a care package of miscellaneous Restore 84 merchandise.
St Johns River LLC is a for-profit company and fundraising efforts for this project are taxed and are not tax deductible.