Thanks. I'll see what I can do about finding a copy.


Les

Hello, Les,

I don't know if you got to check it out, but the photo can be magnified to a pretty large degree, and it stays sharp.

The 204 does look like an 0-6-0; the main rod goes to what looks like a No. 3 driving wheel, which is right behind the man helping the lady out of the cab. (Which in turn, makes me wonder, what is the occasion for this photo? It certainly doesn't look like normal operations.) It's also an Alco, given away by the shape of the domes (including fore and aft sand domes, typical of a switcher), and a rectangular builder's plate that's visible, and almost readable, at maximum magnification. (But not quite readable, blast it!)

The 112 ahead of it is a new mystery--it looks like it's a 4-6-0! It doesn't seem to have a trailing truck. Where would that have come from?

The engine at the lead is No. 153, one of the surviving 4-6-2s.

U.S.Sugar owned two other F.E.C..Pacifics, #65, the first of the 4-6-2s built for F.E.C., and #98, which was the builder's photo locomotive for it's order, #112 was a ten wheeler, and #204 was an 0-6-0, the origins of both are unknown to me

Perhaps this is #204 before she went to USG?

https://goo.gl/images/S9c4qt

Mark -

Thanks for the info on the 112 and 204.


Rob -

Maybe, but I can't seem to bring that photo up into a larger size to compare it.


Les

As of this morning, #148 was at the CSX yard in Nashville.

This locomotive was at the Valley Railroad until about 2005.

Where did it go next?

Where is it now?

Ted66

This has been extensively covered on other threads, but in brief, in about 1999 the 148 went to Traverse City, MI for a half-baked restoration effort that went nowhere, and never had the blessing of the railroad to operate even if successful. It later went to Crede, CO for another restoration effort that went nowhere.

This engine is basically a piece of rust on wheels, and is destined to be a static display somewhere.

Good point. Isn't all railroad equipment? Why do we even bother?

I beg to differ with ctjacks on the 148 being 'a piece of rust on wheels'. Does he have any idea of how much work went into the running gear in the mid '70? That engine has probably less than 2500 miles on it's tires, bearings, spring rigging, brake rigging, rod brasses, etc. It moved from CT to MI on its own wheels. The boiler and firebox need work, and the tender needs some leaks repaired and more up-to-date trucks, but there is plenty left to work with. Far worse locomotives have been brought back to life.

I believe that it is being restored to service by US Sugar

Has there been any sort of press release or announcement from US Sugar about the acquisition of the locomotive, other than what Trains Magazine has told us? Or is that the only source of information right now?

U. S. Sugar has just created a Facebook page, titled "Engine No. 148", to keep the enthusiast community informed about her move to Clewiston and her coming restoration. She's presently in transit between Birmingham and Waycross.

Fantastic! That's what I was hoping to see.

"Rust on wheels" or not, US Sugar on their new FEC 148 Facebook page indicates they plan on having this engine operational in about a year using their own shop force. Perhaps a little optimistic, but hey I'm rooting for 'em.