Trains Newswire is reporting the sale of a third Railroad Development Corp. Chinese QJ, still in China awaiting overhaul for US operation, to RJ Corman's Kentucky line.

Subscribers can go to Trains.com for further details.

I remember reading years ago that when the Chineese 2-8-2s were delivered that Corman was interested in purchasing one of those types for his Bardstown, KY-based dinner train operation.

I guess this will go to his Louisville-Lexington, former L&N "Old Line" trackage. The Bardstown Branch is probably a bit too tight for a 2-10-2, as the biggest steam it ever hosted were 2-8-0s.

Looks like business is going to pick up in my area. This is very interesting!

Did I miss something? Were the first two sold already? Why would they import a third if there are two fresh ones here already?

Maybe they want the factory warrantee. What they don't realize is when they call for service, they'll be told, "Please kindly return article to factory."

The recent purchase of a third Chinese 2-10-2 by RJ Corman through Rail Development Corp has yielded some very enlightening quotes by the parties involved (source: Trains)

R.J.Corman commented, "As an industry we are working on ways to increase our visibility, and steam locomotives are one of railroading's friendliest images. We expect that the QJ will not only make a lot more people aware of the R.J.Corman Railroads, but of the industry that we are part of."

RDC Chairman Henry Posner III commented, "this sale helps to confirm the underlying logic behind introducing the QJ to the US market...This is also helpful to the cause of rail preservation, as it allows a third QJ to be saved. Our next objective is to find homes for the other 2 QJs stored at the 701 Factory."

The best thing for any of us in the railroad industry is to increase public awareness and appreciation of railroads as an viable, successful, integral entities. What better friend to the public than a steam locomotive? What better attention getter, ambassador, or public relations arrangement than a locomotive like this? What better way to telegraph the messages of Operation Lifesaver, or even the calling of RyPN?

These are new railroads, with new histories in the making. Mainline steam anywhere is a good sign for mainline steam everywhere. Here we have major railroad players investing in steam and passenger service in an attempt to increase public visibility and instill appreciation, respect, and stewardship between railroads and citizens. Just like the Ohio Central sending a steam locomotive to work in tandem with Byesville Scenic Railway http://www.bsrw.org/, RJ Corman is investing directly into the community of which it is a part of.

Kinda neat when you think about it. Leaders are continuing to make railroading an accessible industry and way-of-life and something non-railfans can experience more profoundly.

It can only bode well for railway preservation of any sort.

This is great news!

Now if only certain Class I RRs would recognize the value of such ventures.

Kudos to RJ Corman!

This IS terrific news. Apparently neither of Mr. Posner's QJ's are for sale? Which if true is also good news...

I just finished reading the article in Trains about the RJ Corman group. Interesting organization. Sounds like my kind of people but they are just a bit too far away to work for.

Later!
Mr. Ed

Maybe I am being a little too hopeful, but given the recent 844/4449 event, the promise of 2816/261 trips, the return of passenger excursions on NS to Altoona Railfest (with the PRR E's) and some other bits here and there, we may be coming out of the Class 1 dark ages.

Insurance limits will probably keep things away from the peaks of the mainline excursion heyday, but there do seem to be promising developments that should only continue as the rise of large regionals re-shapes mainline trips.

Rob