I haven't been to TVRM since 1993, when we rode one of TVRM's RS-1? -2? -3? and a second one did some switching at the turntable. What is the status of these two RS's? I looked at the TVRM website and there isn't even a mention of them.

Were not those ex-Army MRS-1's? I think so, but not positive. I suspect Tim can bring us up to date on these.

RSD-1's.

8669 & 8677 - serviceable at TVRM

8014 & 8021 - stored, off site

8668 - "parts unit" - stored off site

Ex-Hartford & Slocomb RS-1 (w/chop nose) displayed at Grand Junction depot.

Previously mentioned CofG RS-3 awaiting restoration at Soule Shop, East Chattanooga.

Alan Maples

The half cylinder shaped addition to the hood door looks like it covers over the lube oil strainer, which is probably not in its "normal" position. As for the half-moon shaped addition towards the top of the hood, I have no idea.

I hope they remove that god-awful spark arrester....

Ya mean this one?

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=209315

Thanks for the info. 8677 is the one we rode behind and 8669 was doing the switching. RSD-1's, eh?

Stephen

You mentioned you would like to see the CofG RS-2 running again someday and wondered if it was feasible or economical...

Well being one of the last individuals to work on it while it was at our museum in Salem VA, mid 1990’s, I can say it was on its way to running when we had it.

Now I know I need to back up a little and explain who "WE" were and how we ended up with the Ex-CofG 109. Well it all started with a group of High Schoolers or recent High School Graduates in the Roanoke Valley who were well on there way to establishing a small railroad equipment Museum in downtown Salem VA. After our small group of less than ten had collected a small collection of rail-equipment, it was decided that we would like a Locomotive to add to our lot. We ran across the two former ETW&NC RS-2's in a scrap yard in TN. By the time we were close to working out a deal to buy the 109 it’s sister was all ready fatally wounded by the scraper, it was a small scraper which learned soon enough that it can be costly cutting up a locomotive with a small torch outfit, but they chose to make there first cuts right down through the body, frame and center of one of the trucks, which is when they realized they had bit off more than they could handle but it was too late, the best we could do was work out a deal to buy the second RS-2 (No.109) for a good price ($5000.00) and have the 3/4 of the other loco to pick over for usable parts. It was slow but we were able to collect a small mountain of parts off the other unit to include electrical brake and prime mover parts and most any other part we felt we could use that could be man-handled off the loco's carcus, the conditions in the scrap yard were less than desirable from what I remember it was like a swamp. Any how we had some "connections" with NS to have the Loco moved in its present condition from TN to our Museums location in Salem VA. I don't recall what it cost to move the Loco but I remember the railroad provided two gondolas on either end for braking (I’m pretty sure that nothing was in working order on the RS-2 when it moved) The railroad provided a runaround hose on the Loco and as stated above the Gons were provided for braking, I have pictures of this.

Moving forward, our group was excited to have a real mainline Loco, and what we considered modern too! In shot order we rallied up a good group to start work on the RS-2 and bring her back to life. We slowly worked on different areas, removing, rebuilding or replacing parts. One major part that stumped us from the start was the fact the clutch for the cooling fan had been cut out, we were working to resolve that as well we removed the radiators and carted them over to a local radiator shop that specialized on heavy equipment. They were to pressure test them and repair any leaks thy found...well as it turned out a good 1/3 of both radiator sets was or needed to be blocked off due to leaks or damage. We felt that even if we did get her running that the limited cooling would be fine for our limited use. Gram-White Air Equipment of Salem donated all the Air equipment needed or asked for the locomotive and other locomotive related equipment, like cab window sunshades and air-horns (Nathan 5 Chime), great deal and savings for our small non-profit group! Some of our new volunteers on the Alco project were retired Alco mechanics from the N&W's Roanoke Shops, one was Ray Forbs, former Roanoke Locomotive Shop's Forman, he was a tremendous asset in the rebuilding of the prime mover, from top to bottom we went over the cylinders the bearings the liners rings and seals removed all the heads cleaned and polished the valve seats and ensured proper seals. We replaced any worn parts and made a very thorough inspection of the Loco's power plant; I personally replaced piston rings and worked “Inside” the block as well as on the brake work. It wasn't too long that we had the locomotive's brakes cycling off standby air having used all the donated parts to rebuild the truck mounted brake cylinders with new rubbers and such. As well the cab related equipment was well on it's way to being rebuilt with rebuilt brake stand and other related gear. The Locomotive was slowly coming together. With the prime mover and brakes basically done our next goal was the cooling system, air compressor and last and most important the Loco's wiring! We received a quote from the NS Roanoke shops to "Completely" re-wire the Alco, as they would take it on as a project unfortunately it was going to cost us somewhere around 20K for them to do it. Around this time the Alco project slowed to a halt with one of the last things done was its sand blasting, primed and painted in a basic black.

Moving forward more, our group's core of young volunteers were growing up and moving away for college or jobs that took them away from our small museum and restoration projects, it was soon and suddenly decided by a few key members that we needed to disband our collection and donate all of our rolling stock to museums in the region before tougher regulations prevented movement or loss of volunteers hindered dispersing the equipment. This is how TVRM ended up with our CofG Alco 109, our 40ft CofG box, our 50ft TP&W box among others. As well some of our equipment ended up at NCTM.

Long story short, I’ve wrote and called TVRM to share my knowledge on the condition of this Alco with them with no interest or response. When this loco left our hands a lot of work had already been performed, granted a lot more still needed to be done! I too hope this Locomotive returns to operation and it’s original CofG paint someday, will see, it’s in good hands we all know they have many irons in the fire!

Steve Smith
Formerly member of Roanoke Valley Central Railway (RVC-RY) formerly located in downtown Salem next to the old N&W passenger station. I last worked on the CofG Alco 109 in the early to mid 1990’s before becoming to involved in my Architectural-Industrial design degree at Virginia Tech Graduating in 1999 and then moving on.

Currently, working my way back across the US via Amtrak over a month after completing a contract with the Department of the Navy and living in Japan for the past four years, looking to return to rail-preservation once I return to the Roanoke Valley.

Wow, Steve, thanks for that in-depth info on the work performed by the Roanoke Valley group. TVRM has wound up with several pieces of CofGA equipment through the years, and it seems there is precious little of it still around and possibly available. Do you recall if the large side body air vents/louver asemblies were still on the loco? Every photo I have seen of 109 at TVRM shows it without these.

As you say, TVRM has many irons in the fire, and I suppose the 109 must take a back seat to other, revenue-generating projects. Maybe some day we will see it at least cosmetically restored. A few years ago the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society offered to buy paint for the 109 to be repainted in the as-delivered scheme, but as far as I know there was never any response. I suppose, however, if it was not a pending project there would be no need to go ahead and get paint...

I would be happy to have it at Thronateeska Heritage Center as a display piece. Would make a great exhibit along with our ALCO steam locomotive. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge...

I wonder what the condition is of the CofG and TP&W box cars today at TVRM. Their website doesn't seem to have an equipment section. I can recall seeing a photo of a CofG 40' boxcar sitting in a yard somewhere and thinking that it would make a great restoration project. Don't know if that was the same car at the Roanoke Valley Central Ry. that Steve Smith was a member of or not. Hopefully TVRM has restored both of the boxcars that the RVCRy group gave to them, or at least has firm plans to do so.

Les

Stephen & P51

Here are some views of the Ex-ETW&NC 210, Exx-CofG-109 shortly after it arrived in Salem VA after traveling from TN between the two Gons provided for braking. Also are views of the 109 being spotted in out Museum grounds in Salem. Last shot is another item we gave TVRM and that's the Wilson Reefer, it and the other vintage freight cars that we gave TVRM are still unrestored and used on Photo Freights.


CofG Alco 109 between Braking Gons notice Run around hose.


CofG Alco 109 from the other side.


CofG Alco 109 being spotted by NS GP


Wilson Reefer pictured landlocked shortly before we moved it over the road to our location in Salem.

Sorry these are only thumbnails I'm working with my photo host to resolve this, so full size images show. For now if you would like these or other e-mailed to you for better view, just let me know.

I know it’s been a while and off topic, but I just found some photos I took of the ET&WNC RS-3s when they were both at Elizabethton, I think this was probably 1987.

Wonder whatever happened to the 210?

Andrew Durden
SRM

Or whichever one is not at TVRM...

AD

Scrapped not far from where this photo was taken, sadly. This post above mentions some of the details:

For you RS fans out there; the Orange Empire Railway Museum is rebuilding an RS-3; she is the Southern Pacific 1009 built in 1939.

They have dismantled just about every system and cleaned and primed just about every part of the body.

I gather that a 1930s Diesel is something special. Maybe some one from the OERM Diesel department can add some more details. I have just been reading their reports in the Gazette. The intent is to make the locomotive look just like it did when it was brand new. Theis is back in the days when it was the Electro-Motive Corporation rather than the more modern electro- Motive Division.

Ted Miles