From trainorders.com I was able to use this link to read about the two 2-8-0s recently moved to the West Virginia Railroad Museum:
http://www.wvrailmuseum.com/wvn280-01.html

Question: I had heard that while in posession of the Leap family, these engines were occasionally operated by the Leap family, and that they had some amount of spare parts (cylander saddles come to mind). Any truth to either? Details?

I seem to recall reading (I think it may have been in an article in TRAINS Magazine when the engines were still in service on the Preston RR) that one of the 2-8-0's had a boiler explosion when in service for the WVN. It was sent back to Baldwin and rebuilt with a new boiler. This may have been in the 1920's or 30's. If this is true, then one of the engines has a much newer boiler than 1904 or 1906. Can anyone confirm that report? Or am I having another senior moment?

Les

Don Leap told me that back in the 1960's they did steam up the Preston #19 (WVN #9) once and a while and ran it on their quarry spur. They put up a pole shed to keep the engine under roof. I don't believe the #18 was ever operated after it left the Preston Railroad. I remember seeing some loose parts, but someone affiliated with the West Virigina Railroad Museum would be in a better position to answer that question. They are neat little engines.

Les - the article was in the March 1958 issue of TRAINS, it says that WVN #9 was involved in a tragic runaway that resulted in three fatalities and required sending the engine back to Baldwin for rebuilding and a new boiler in 1927.

Alan Maples

Alan -

Thanks for the info. Restores my faith in my memory (at least a little bit!)

Les

The info about the spares matches what I have been told by WVRRM members and associates when I was witnessing the movement of the locos off the Leap property--I was told the cylinder saddle was fresh from Baldwin, not even machined/bored out yet.......