Where are they now?

Todd Mullens · **Posted:** Sun Jun 24, 2001 3:48 pm

Does anyone know the whereabouts of the former Bessemer& Lake Erie "F" units that ran on the Western Allegheny? Were they preserved? Did they make it to some service afterwards?

Also, What happened to the two Pennsy painted "E" units that were on the Blue Mountain and Reading back in the mid-eighties?

Thanks much,

Todd

MullensTKMS@aol.com

Aaron B. · **Posted:** Sun Jun 24, 2001 6:23 pm

Todd,

I live near the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad (RBMN) , and I know a lot of information regarding it! The RBMN only owned one E-8! The other was in a partnership with three other employees from the company! Both units were recently sold. The RBMN's was purchased, and made in to a wedding chapel (Believe it or not!), and the partnerships' was sold to the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad. The unit is on regular passenger service! Below is the link to the RBMN's website (Check their roster to find information on the unit!) !

Aaron B.

http://www.rbmnrr.com/index.shtml
norfolk_western_611@hotmail.com

Ron · **Posted:** Mon Jun 25, 2001 12:13 pm

I visited the St Louis Iron Mountain & Southern earlier this year and the E-8 was running. Accoring to the railroads website the E-8 is normally used on Wed & Fri with steam power on Sat. During my visit in April the steamer was down for routine maintenance so the E-8 was handling the Saturday traffic as well.

I agree with all those that have said that engines belong to those groups that purchase and maintain them, but it was sure a shock to a see a Pennsy diesel in Missouri!

> Todd,

> I live near the Reading Blue Mountain &
> Northern Railroad (RBMN) , and I know a lot
> of information regarding it! The RBMN only
> owned one E-8! The other was in a
> partnership with three other employees from
> the company! Both units were recently sold.
> The RBMN's was purchased, and made in to a
> wedding chapel (Believe it or not!), and the
> partnerships' was sold to the St. Louis,
> Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad. The
> unit is on regular passenger service! Below
> is the link to the RBMN's website (Check
> their roster to find information on the
> unit!) !

> Aaron B.

http://rosecity.net/trains/station.html
rrtp@midwest.net

Angie Morefield · **Posted:** Mon Jun 25, 2001 1:22 pm

Accoring to the Blue Mountain site, when I checked the locomotive roster, both the E units were listed as sold,5898 was sold to the St.Louis and Iron Mountain, but there is no listing as to the whereabouts of 5706A. Anyone have any idea what the deal is here?

Just Train Crazy,

-Angie

Ladypardus@cs.com

L Beckman · **Posted:** Mon Jun 25, 2001 5:19 pm

> I visited the St Louis Iron Mountain &
> Southern earlier this year and the E-8 was
> running. Accoring to the railroads website
> the E-8 is normally used on Wed & Fri
> with steam power on Sat. During my visit in
> April the steamer was down for routine
> maintenance so the E-8 was handling the
> Saturday traffic as well.

> I agree with all those that have said that
> engines belong to those groups that purchase
> and maintain them, but it was sure a shock
> to a see a Pennsy diesel in Missouri!

Ron:

Shouldn't have been such a shock. The Pennsy operated trains into St. Louis, MISSOURI on a regular basis. Including such trains as "The Spirit of St. Louis", The Penn Texas" and "The St. Louisan."

midlandblb@cs.com

Aaron B. · **Posted:** Tue Jun 26, 2001 8:41 am

Angie,

The unit not listed was sold to someone and made into a wedding chapel!!!

Aaron

norfolk_western_611@hotmail.com

A.W. Maples · **Posted:** Tue Jun 26, 2001 3:26 pm

I believe this is "The Little Wedding Chapel" located along Alabama highway 78 northwest of Birmingham, near Jasper. I recall seeing at least two passenger cars, a caboose, and a Pennsy E-8 there. They are in a fenced yard in front of the wedding chapel itself, along with various other antiques and novelty items.

Alan

AMaples@aol.com

Bob Yarger · **Posted:** Wed Jun 27, 2001 12:52 am

How about some photos, or links to some already on the internet?

bobyar2001@yahoo.com

A.W. Maples · **Posted:** Wed Jun 27, 2001 12:14 pm

> How about some photos, or links to some
> already on the internet?

I don't have a picture to post but the official web site is www.sayido2.com - I don't think they have pictures posted yet but the site is "under construction" and may have some later.

A.W. Maples

AMaples@aol.com

Steve Freer · **Posted:** Wed Jun 27, 2001 10:07 pm

The 5706 isn't the wedding chapel, it's just owned by the same folks and parked next to the church --- kinda a panel track mini-museum in the middle of nowhere! Along with the E are some Southern coaches in a well-maintained park with concrete sidewalks, street lighting and an old phone booth. I will try to post a photo or two in the next couple of days. By the way, the other Pennsy E (#5898) has been the motive power on the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern for some time. It was running last Saturday (6-24) when I saw it during a James Gang raid along the railroad. The paint is falling off and the nose is pretty well bondo'ed (without paint). However, it WAS running. Rumor is that the 5706 is gutted. The "back door" on the 5706 is a "tasteful" leaded glass entry door!!!

sfreer@tvrail.com

Kevin Gillespie · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2001 8:16 am

5706 was supposed to have been sold for scrap. Apparently the people who bought her stripped her out, and resold the carbody. At least it survives, and could be the basis of a future restoration IF parts can be reassembled. The "church door" would have to go!

kevingillespie@usa.net