For some time, we've displayed a Mike Del Vecchio photo of this locomotive, taken in the early 1990s. Then it looked like this



A visitor to www.steamlocomotive.info was kind enough to provide us with photography of the locomotive in its current condition. The changes are dramatic. You can see these photos at this link: http://wp.me/1xNiX I like the slideshow format that Wordpress provides. I hope you find it useful as well.

I feel that documenting the current state of these locomotives more or less fits the preservation topic.

Doug,

Thanks so much for all of your efforts at steamlocomotive.info. I hope this sad old girl sees better days in the future. It's so sad that something once preserved at Steamtown is in such sad shape.

As I understand it from several sources, it is still at the truck stop in North Branford where the first photo was taken.

38 is in Branford, stored in an industrial park. It's been there for a few years now.

Just because something looks to be in poor shape does not mean it is down and out. A picture of my locomotive (Santa Cruz Portland Cement #2) two years ago looked like the first picture. The second picture is of the running gear after new tires, remachined wheel centers, remachined axles, new crownbrasses, remachined axle boxes, new spring rigging and rebuilt/new springs, etc. The final pic is of the boiler with new barrel, firebox, and smokebox after being erected on the frame. Sometimes they look rough while the rebuild process is underway. I am not sure if this is the case for this particular engine, but feel the need to point out there may be hope for this locomotive. I think most people would have counted SCPC #2 out as well. To be honest, the NHTR #38 looks to be in a bit better shape! Come visit our website for more information at:

http://www.scpc2.com

Best,

Stathi

Stathi-who fabricated your new boiler/firebox?

Stathi,

Is there any part of the old boiler you saved? It looks like everything is new. Great work. Please keep us posted.

Thanks,

Over the last two years we have done the boiler work in house in accordance with FRA, NBIC, and applicable ASME code. The only work farmed out was the rolling of the barrel sections and the NDT of the weld seams in the barrel and firebox. Here are some photos of the work as well as some my friends who have been involved with the project. These have included professional boiler-makers, talented steam mechanics, and interested railfans. A locomotive can only succeed if the people around it are dedicated to the project, and this little engine has found a lot of friends without whom, none of this would have been possible.

Best,

Stathi

Out of curiosity, does anyone know who owns 38?

Just an update but reports from the Facebook machine say that 38 has a new owner, a gentleman who's done good work over at the Valley Railroad... I'll leave it at that in case he wants to chime in.

Greetings:
The prior comments are true (I helped write the Bill of Sale and saw the money change hands).
The movement of bits and pieces began last Saturday...
J.David