At Crestmont, West Virginia, in October 1960:

http://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?a ... 1224_4.jpg

Man, has the #14 changed over the years! LOL. Bob, I think you have the wrong link posted.

Don C.

This should do it:

http://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?a ... anColl.jpg

I have been working on a volunteer committee with the City of Gaithersburg (Maryland) to advise on the cosmetic restoration of this engine. The project is funded with TEA 21 funds. Work should begin next spring. The engine will continue in its BC&G livery as a 2-8-0 and an operation restoration is ruled out. Scott Lindsay is a paid consultant on the project.

Wesley

Is that someone's house next to the tracks? That sure is close.

The 14 has always been close to me, as I've lived in G'burg all my life. The engine came there a year or two after I was born, so it's been a constant fixture in the scenery to me.

What kinds of restoration will take place? Obviously, it could use a lick of paint or two, but in terms of appliances, what is in the works?

Thanks,-Jeffrey (A native Gaithersburger)

At the time it was on W&W, there was consideration (albeit pointless since it was too heavy for the bridges) to restoring it to service...pipe dreams probably, but imagine if only it had remained down there till now....who knows?

I think that is the old creamery. To the best of my knowlege it closed a year or two before the photo was taken. This was very much a company owned area and to the degree possible self contained. The creamery was operated by the company until the original owner sold out and the buyer started changing and closing things. I am not sure of the timeline anymore but I think the story goes along those lines. The last time I was in Cresmont the creamery was still there and a BC&G motorcar was still in the motorcar house. Do either of these buildings still exist?

Another good question is why is the train stopped here? It also appears to be backing. I think that would be a little unusual especially at this late date.

John Bohon

There was something in one of the magazines some time ago that the BC&G, or part of it, had again been placed back in operation with renewed mining activity. The article stated that the scene was much changed from steam days, but the track was still there. What is the status today?

Re: restoration of BC&G 14 at Gaithersburg.

The plan is to paint the engine and reinstall the boiler jacket. The tender is the money pit of the project and will be reconstructed.

Wesley

I can answer that one.

The line is part of the Elk River Railroad. Last coal out was in the 80's, though there are still regional reserves. It's very much still there. I did a speeder trip over it this summer, thanks to hard work by volunteers that have kept the line cleared of brush.

A local community group in Clay County, WV, has organized to see if they can do any kind of recreational rail activity on the line, with a lease/buy with residual trackage rights to the Elk River. The study is sponsored by the State of West Virginia. There is a new RV campground under construction at Dundon, with the track running right beside it.

There's nothing I could recognize of the historic BC&G, even studying photos. Swandale is a second-growth forest with a few foundations. The line is spectacularly remote; certainly the equal of the West Virginia Central though much shorter. The blasting that it took to build the line is most impressive, and the Buffalo Creek is now a clear pristine stream with a lot of bass in it.

I could recognize that Cresmont shot though, because of the road running beside it. There's the foundation of an old creamery there. One of the most interesting things about the railroad is the remaining wreckage of the steel bridges that were dynamited during the 1952 coal strike - if the volunteers show you what to look for the original bridges are still in shards near the abutments.