Hi,

THe NYSWT&HS's 2-8-2 #142 made it to Phillipsburg, NJ yesterday and kicked off their second season of steam on the Bel-Del today. I was in the area on other accord, but had a chance to bring the wife and toddler to see #142 head for sleepy time.

She's runnign with a matched set of 5 maroon coaches (4 passenger cars, 1 converted gift shop). No RDC so far this year. The train looks great.

As for sound... well... long ago I accpeted #142's Chinese chuff. ;-) She sounded tight and in full voice today.

It is no small feat for a volunteer group to operate a steam train on foreign rails (which are 3 railroads away from the home shop) and the fact that the Susie-Q Tech guys are pulling this off for a second year should be more than enough reason to earn your support in a paid ticket. I'll be back to do the same, at least once this year.

And don't forget, steam at the WK&S is just an hour away, New Hope is even closer, and Steamtown is just over an hour up the road. Yes, Virginia, you could ride three steam trains in one day this summer!

All the best,

Rob Davis

That is great news, and a very early start for the season. I hope their plans for expansion of the rail line come through, too.
Thanks for plugging my employer as well. At Steamtown, CN 3254 is already chufffing around the yard, and CP 2317 will begin on May 8. This is the earliest that Steamtown has had two steamers in service. In May, we expect daily yard trains, and on the weekends, we'll have the opportunity to ride passenger and freight trains in the yard. Excursions to Tobyhanna, PA begin May 28.http://www.nps.gov/stea/

Does it still belong to the railroad or does a non-profit organization own it now?

Th1e 142 is now owned by the NYS&W Technical & Historical Society., as evidenced by it's reporting marks "THSX".