Dated September 1959 and sold to Rail City in NY State in 1954. Is that where this photo was taken? It doesn't look like the scene I remember there. Engine still exists, but I think the tender was scrapped while on the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville. Present tender was from a Pennsy H10 2-8-0, last I knew.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/steamtown/hbt-s38abr.jpg

And here at Rail City in September 1966, same place?:

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/steamtown/hbt-s38ald.jpg

This one says 1955:

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/steamtown/hbtm-s38ald.jpg

Yes, the engine still exists, but it now has its third tender. The Pennsy one was a bit big for the engine and never looked quite right. When it got in bad shape a few years ago Sloan Cornell had a new tank made (on a different frame), dimensioned much closer to the original; he even lettered it H&BT. To my knowledge, the engine has never seen service with the new tender as the Knox & Kane ended steam operations when Kinzua viaduct was closed to rail traffic in 2002.

Alan Maples

I've had it suggested several times by several folks--at least one of whom loiters here now and then--that H&BTM 38 should be a top priority for acquisition by the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. In many respects, I'm forced to agree--it's a short line loco built in Pa. for a Pa. shortline, and has drifted about but spent most of its time in Pennsylvania. The only real problem with this proposal is that the Museum would almost have to deaccession another 2-8-0 of PRR heritage (2846? 7688?) to make room for 38, but the way the Penna. Historic & Museum Commission runs its show that's all but impossible. (I understand the rather Draconian restrictions were written some time ago in response to alleged long-ago "profiteering" by other museum curators who deaccessioned items with an eye towards personal profit.)

We can dream, can't we?

.

Looks like the type of locomotive that would nicely fit Strasburg's roster in place of a legitimate H6sb. Okay, Strasburg has enough locomotives, but the thought is within keeping for the little road. BTW, what became of the PRR tender? It is still serviceable and available?

I believe it was in bad shape and was scrapped.

Alan Maples

Couldn't agree more with Kelly's question.

That engine SHOULD be in serivce somewhere.....but where is the question? Every place I can think of in the Tri-State area already has their hands full when it comes to maintaining or repairing their existing steam.

I don't believe the engine has run since the late 1980's at best.

Strictly for debating purposes, I would have to concur Anderson's implied point. However, I should also discretely ask:

Given the ownership of the locomotive by a railroad company that has left ample evidence of its running it steam hard with less-than-sufficient maintenance, can we actually assume that this locomotive is in worthy condition for reactivation?

I think of all the steam experiences I have had over the decades, the "Fiddletown & Copperopolis"-style running of 50-mile excursions that turned into unplanned mixed trains behind 38, 76, and 3254 will go down as the closest I will ever experience to true old-fashioned railroad short line operation, good AND bad.

Remember, in my hypothetical (okay, pipe dream) fantasy, the 38 would be traded for PRR 2846, a H6sb, which, okay, I see is about 20 tons heavier.........

I agree, I would love to see 38 back in action. But I don't see an operation in the region that can use the lighter 2-8-0 efficiently, and I don't want to see that loco go off to, say, Canada or Arizona just to find someplace else for it to get "consumed".

I have to agree with Kelly that the 38 should be running. However, if it were to go to a museum Wayne Laepple has made a solid argument to me for sending the 38 to Altoona. Since the 38 operated much closer to Altoona than Strasburg I tend to agree with him. It could even be argued 38 would be a better locomotive for Altoona to operate than the K-4.

I hope 38 continues to operate somewhere. I was very impressed with her preformance on the Gettysburg. Generally speaking I think 38 is likely to be in restorable condition.

John Bohon

I've heard that there may still be one of the shop buildings standing in one of the towns it ran through (can't remember the name - Saxton maybe?). Does anyone know about this or have photos?

A bit more on the H&BTM and its remains (including the last operations as the Everett RR) here:

http://members.tripod.com/~wayneshobbie ... adtop2.htm

The H&BTM backshop buildings at Saxton were torn down circa 1998. I believe a small paint shop building remains, having long ago been converted into a convenience store.

Keith Burkey, who occasionally posts here, is the resident H&BTM expert and maintains a nice web site, as well as a yahoo news group, on railroads in the region:

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/bbandbrr/

http://www.bbandbrr.com/

Alan Maples