After many years in the same location, Rock of Ages in Barre, VT is moving their historic Baldwin, nicknamed "Hercules", and putting a roof over it's head.
The onset of winter has temporarily paused the cosmetic restoration efforts on the 1912 Baldwin 0-6-2T, which will have to endure at least one more winter forlornly positioned facing a 500-foot deep frozen granite quarry. Thus far, money has been spent to blast, prime, paint and stabilize the locomotive. A new visitor's center is being constructed, and the engine will be moved to a spot close to the building, with a shed erected over it. The fine work to #6 is being performed by local craftsmen, and employee volunteers, and has included new wood for the cab ceiling, and precision-made replacement steel for the cab floor and saddletank.
The brand new visitor's center is scheduled to open next fall, and the locomotive moved shortly thereafter.


SJHussar@aol.com

This interior shot shows the extent of the work being done, the items missing have been removed for safe-keeping, and for visitor's ease of movement while touring the cab. Thanks go out to the director of the Rock of Ages visitor's center, Todd Paton, who made this happen.


SJHussar@aol.com

Glad to see something finally being done with this veteran of the near-6% grades. I tried for years to inspire the local RR club there to take it on, with no results. As I was already involved in the 220 project, I couldn't take on any more. Hope they don't sandblast, then try to move it without cleaning grit out of the bearings.

ryarger@rypn.org

I too would be glad to see work beginning...

Am I the only one that can't open these photos?



shawsinoly@aol.com