Just received word that Cliffside RR No. 110, a Vulcan 2-6-2 from the Cliffside RR in North Carolina, has been donated to the New Hope Valley RR at Bonsal, N. C. It is expected the engine will be moved to Bonsal from its present home at Stone Mountain, Ga. in early 2013. A more detailed joint announcement from the Stone Mountain Memorial Association, which donated the 1923 Vulcan, and the North Carolina Railroad Museum, is expected soon. No. 110 was retired by the Cliffside in 1962 and sold to the Swamp Rabbit RR in South Carolina in 1963. It later moved to Georgia, where it operated on the Stone Mountain Scenic RR for several years. It's been on display there for some time and will need an overhaul before going into service at Bonsal, where it will join Vulcan 0-4-0T No. 17.

Thanks, Wayne....we've been working on this acquisition for about 19 months now. Thanks to the people in Stone Mountain and to the team from NHVRR who put it together. It will be good to have this old girl operating on a North Carolina shortline again in the next few years.

dave

Hi Guys, Nice to hear the 110 is going to a good home, New Hope Valley sounds like a perfect place for a 2-6-2. I think their 0-4-0t need the support. Interesting that Cliffside 110 is going to the New Hope Valley and Cliffside 40, a Baldwin 2-8-0 is currently running on the New Hope and Ivyland. I'll let some one else come up with the New Hope puns! Dave Notarius, London UK, ex New Hope Pa.

I didn't figure out until just a few minutes ago that No. 110 has been absent from NC for 50 years, and now she's coming home.

And yes, I had thought about the irony that both Cliffside steam engines are at New Hopes.

Great news!

That's awesome, first the 4-4-0 to SERM a few years ago and now this! I always thought Spencer would be a nice home for her, but New Hope Valley will be just as nice, perhaps more so since she will have more room to stretch her legs.

Two down, one to go!

Dave

Here's a photo of No. 110 in service on the Cliffside RR over 50 years ago.

Read this old Trains article to understand just how good a fit she'll be in Bonsal:

http://remembercliffside.com/galleries/railroad/trains_1.html

All we need now is a textile mill up at New Hope Road, and an enginehouse.

In all seriousness, she's just the right size now that the train has grown and 17 is about maxed out on the grade, and right at home running through the NC woods.

dave

Nice to hear that she is going to a good home!!!

New Hope Valley is committed to the future of the steam program, and there have been many recent improvements to the site infrastructure also......even a plan for REAL RESTROOMS! Many younger people are joining and taking active roles too......a real success story in a lot of ways.

17 dies on the calendar in (I think) 2017, which leaves us that much time to raise funds and complete the restoration on 110. North Carolina should have at least one steam locomotive in scheduled service without interruption....maybe 2 if GSMRR carries out their program. Maybe 3 if we get 17 back up and running soon after 110 is back in service, since our operating structure requires both a "road" and "switch" engine. I can dream.....but realistically.

I'm not familiar with plans for steam work at Spencer; I know they are having a bit of difficulty with greatly diminished state historic sites budgets in the past few years. Perhaps somebody involved there can comment.

Things are getting better in the Southeast now.

dave

I visited the NHV several years ago and was very impressed with the operation.
At that time they were very attentive to their visitors and helped them in every possible way.Fortunately I had a guide from the area and was a member or I would have had problems finding the museum.At that time the ride was short but very enjoyable.
If I remember correctly at that time one steam loco was in operation along with two Diesels.The three were being used on an alternating basis throughout the day.They also had six+ small Diesels that were in operating condition.They probably had more operating locos than any other museum at that time.
It is really good to hear that the Cliffside loco is going there.I remember reading the Trains article way back when but was never able to get to that area.
Best of luck to the museum.

Thanks for the kind words, rogruth. We do know that our passengers and our guests, through their fares, memberships and generous donations, are the reason we are able to indulge in our hobby, so we all strive to treat them like family when they visit.

One of our challenges has always been trying to raise awareness of our operation. We all have stories about people who tell us, "I've lived in the area my whole life, and never knew you were here!" We are making concerted efforts to change that, through marketing and branding. And having a true shortline steam engine with roots in North Carolina will certainly help.

Technically, that should read....
North Carolina should have at least 4 steam locomotives in scheduled service without interruption....maybe 5 if GSMR carries out their program.

You can't forget ET&WNC 4-6-0 #12 and WP&Y 2-8-2 #190 at Tweetsie, and the 0-4-0 at the Handy Dandy RR in Denton, NC. I would imagine those should still be running at that time.
Kevin

I didn't include theme parks....which I should have done given how broadly I defined it, or rather I should have defined it more carefully to purposely exclude them as was my intention. Tweetsie is a state treasure and as a theme park historic in its own right, but I'm thinking of museum and tourist railroads exclusively. The Denton operation isn't really a regular thing, just something that runs for a few days during a private show that never fails to disappoint. I left out live steamers purposely also, and there is a great track that operates not far away. Have I cleared this up?

dave