Built in 1928 by the Pennsylvania Railroad Altoona Shops, Locomotive #35 relocated last Thursday from Garden City's Mitchel Field to Oyster Bay. The engine will be the centerpiece of a new Oyster Bay railroad museum that will focus on Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) history and its impact on the hamlet.

For years, the engine had been located next to the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Charles Lindbergh Blvd., across from the Hofstra University Sports Complex. Incorporated in 1994, the Friends of Locomotive #35, a not-for-profit corporation, strives to preserve and communicate to the public the historical experience of Long Island's Rail Transportation history.

As Steve Torborg, president of the Friends of Locomotive #35, said Thursday, "The day is finally here! We at long last have reached a definitive date with the county for the relocation of ex-Long Island Rail Road steam locomotive #35 from its longtime home of Mitchel Field to Oyster Bay ... "

The final details took approximately two months to complete, according to Torborg. Specifically, Nassau County reached an agreement with the LIRR and the Town of Oyster Bay, including Nassau County Deputy Commissioner of Parks, the Nassau County Legislature and the contractor for the Long Island Children's Museum.

Locomotive #35, one of the two remaining LIRR steam engines in existence, is currently being restored by the Friends of Locomotive #35 under the auspices of the Oyster Bay Historical Society.

Friends of Locomotive #35 is spearheading the restoration efforts, its primary goal being to raise the necessary funds for the restoration. To date, the corporation raised approximately $70,000 in donations. The locomotive is completely disassembled with 80 percent of parts restorable.

Members of the organization are all volunteers, male and female, with varying backgrounds and skills, including welding, carpentry, auto body repair, painting and more. They work on the restoration project on weekends throughout the year and are always looking for help. Those interested should contact President Steve Torborg at 887-4294 or via e-mail at LIRR35@aol.com.

Ben Jankowski, chairman, Friends of Locomotive #35, thanks Nassau County Legislator Brian Muellers and New York State Senator Carl Marcellino and his Communications Director Kathy Wilson for their help in making this move a reality. Muellers proposed emergency legislation, passed on July 16, that authorized the Nassau County Deputy Commissioner of Recreation and Parks and Support Services to execute a license agreement between the county, as licensee, and the LIRR, as licensor, for the storage of steam engine #35.

Nassau County Historian Ed Smits also earned kudos from Friends since he walked the legislation from desk to desk throughout the county. The license agreement permits Nassau County to store the steam engine at the LIRR Oyster Bay yard. Although there is not a storage fee, the county will have to reimburse the LIRR for its expenses, if any, and indemnify the LIRR for any damages sustained as a result of the storage, along with other terms set forth in the license agreement.

Locomotive #35 was built in an era long since forgotten when motive power was designed by railroads to meet their specific needs. Being no exception to this rule, #35 was designed for the frequent starts and stops of commuter service on the Long Island Rail Road. Locomotive #35 was also used in freight service where sheer power was required just to get the heavy trains moving.

It ran mostly on the Oyster Bay and Port Jefferson branches, but also handled East End Flyers to Montauk. Having logged approximately 925,000 miles over 27 years, #35 retired with dignity. While on display for 20 years at Eisenhower Park, most people growing up in Nassau County during the 60s and early 70s remember visiting the steam engine some time during their childhood.

Being one of only three surviving G-5s in existence and one of only two surviving LIRR steamers, members of Friends of Locomotive #35 have dubbed the engine a rare jewel.

On Oct. 8, 1955, the locomotive became a participant in the LIRR's "End of Steam" ceremony in Hicksville. Two days later, the last steam passenger run on the LIRR from Oyster Bay was pulled. Almost a week later, the last steam powered LIRR train was pulled.

In 1956, the locomotive was donated to Nassau County and placed on display at Salisbury Park. The locomotive was then relocated to Mitchel Field by flatbed truck in June of 1978. During this time, beginning in 1956, the Long Island Sunrise Trail Chapter National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) maintained the steam engine until 1987.

The Locomotive #35 Restoration Committee formed in October of 1990, which later became known as Friends of Locomotive #35 in July of 1994. The organization struck a deal with the Town of Oyster Bay to relocate the steam engine to Oyster Bay for eventual inclusion in the hamlet's railroad museum. Last Thursday, Aug. 2, the move became official as volunteers began work at 7 a.m. in preparation for the contractor's arrival.

Members transported the locomotive in separate components: the boiler/ firebox assembly, locomotive frame, tender tank/ body, tender frame, locomotive cab, tender trucks and locomotive drive wheels and pilot truck. The steam engine, now in Oyster Bay, will be inaccessible to volunteers and the general public until the property is officially transferred to the Town of Oyster Bay. According to Torborg, this process is expected to take a few months.