As a researcher (in hopes of moving from armchair modeling to HO scale at some soon point) of the Nelson & Albemarle Railway (truly the Alberene Soapstone Company's extension), I am looking for anyone who might know of the existence of one of N&A's engines believed to be static and in Goshen, VA. I have read recently that it was purchased from somewhere near Danville and moved to Goshen, but have no other details. Background: I plan on modeling the N&A because it served the soapstone works at Schuyler, Virginia where my father had his first real job, working on the gang saws cutting large blocks of stone into slabs to make stair treads, sinks, and countertops. I now live in IL and the trips back home to Virginia are getting fewer each year, so any help in identifying where this might be, would likely influence my route coming into Virginia on the next trip to take the time to visit and photograph. Any comments appreciated. Thanks, Rob Peters St. Charles, IL formerly of Virginia.

The only locomotive I'm aware of in the vicinity of Goshen is a lumber company Shay.

Follow this link for more information:

http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomo ... splay=1727

As far as I know, there are 2 other steam engines there. A narrow gauge (3 foot) 0-4-0T and a Standard gauge 0-4-0 tender engine, that was oeprable up into the 60's and in relatively good shape.

Mike Stillwell
Buena Vista, VA.

I went over to Goshen about 3 years ago and visited Will Harris's collection. There was no 0-4-0 tender locomotive there, nor was there a 3 ft guage 0-4-0T. Jack Showalter's U. S. Army 2-8-0 #606 was stored there for a while before it's sale to the Crewe, Va. RR Museum. Also on the property was Mr. Harris's McClure Lumber Co. Shay, which is 3 ft. guage, (and has beeen dieselized with an engine in the cut away firebox and chain drive) and his standard guage 0-4-0T now tankless, which was formerly in Marion Va.

http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomo ... splay=1728

Mr. Harris also owns an ex-Milwaukee Road diner which is a B&B in Buchanan, Va. , and former RF&P Office Car 100.

Regards

Gary - The narrow gauge 0-4-0 was dissassembled and might not be at the Mill, according to Will, last time I spoke with him. You are correct the Std Gauge engine is not a tender loke. I was confusing it with another that was once a switcher here in town.

Mike

I believe the engine formerly in Marion is the ex-Nelson and Albemarle locomotive. Also, since you're interested in the N&A, I recommend you find a book called "Soapstone Shortlines". I found a copy online once (can't find the publisher or author anywhere), and also purchased a copy at the "Walton Museum" in Schuyler, VA. The book is a wealth of info on the N&A. I believe the version sold at the Walton Museum also came with a pamphlet on the same subject, written by noted railroad author/photographer H. Reid (of Virginian Railway fame). I'd be fascinated to find out what buildings might remain of the N&A. I used to live in Chester, VA and drove out that way a few times. The book hints at flatcars and an enginehouse possibly still in existance, albeit on private property.

According to J. David Conrad's "Steam Locomotive Directory", the 0-4-0T at Marion worked for Virginia Alberene Corp. (later Alberene Stone Corp.) as their #2, but was apparently NEVER on the Nelson & Albemarle's roster.

As I recall, William S. Young in his magazine "Steam Locomotive & Railroad Tradition" had a very nice informative article on the N&A. If I can find my collection of SL&RT mags, I will look up the exact issue.

Les

Well, I dug out my old collection of SL&RT (later called RAILROADING) and found the issue with the article about the N&A. Issue was the combined Number 13 and 14. The article itself was written by H. Reid and is 7 pages long with 8 photos, 4 of which are builders photos. There is also a very nice drawing of the N&A by Mr. Reid "Compressing Time and Space into One Tableu." Also included are some comments by Mr. Young about the railroad and its abandonment and he includes a locomotive roster which also lists engines of the various companies that owned the N&A. Surprisingly, the previously mentioned (and preserved) number 2 is included! That may indicate that it was actually operated by the N&A. An interesting fact about the number 2 is that it got a new boiler in 1926!

Mr. Reid points out the surprising fact that in 1941, one of the N&A saddletankers actually appeared in a Paramount Pictures movie entitled "Virginia" starring Madeleine Carroll. The Nelson & Albemarle locomotive was "specially painted" and was actually taken over to the Chesapeake & Ohio line at nearby Howardsville for the scene. Anyone ever see this movie? No mention of which particular locomotive was used. Perhaps it could at least be identified from its number plate in the film.

Les

Mallory Hope Ferrell devotes about half a dozen pages to the N&A and its odd-ball saddletank operation in Volume I of "Slow Trains Down South."

I am almost certain there once was a small four wheel internal combusion locomotive displayed with the 0-4-0 at Marion, but it vanished years ago. Albemarle Stone had rostered such a critter, so it is logical to assume that it might have come from that company along with the steamer.

Much of the old soapstone property is now being subdivided for a residential development known as "The Quarries."

Alan Maples

Thanks to all! Yes, the locomotive of Virginia Alberene is the one I'm seeking. Will Harris' collection seems to be the only place a locomotive from the Schuyler area quarries has survived. Thanks to all who responded and much appreciation for the references. Garth Groff (author of the Soapstone Shortlines booklet) resides in the Charlottesville area and works for the University of Virginia - his booklet appears to be out of print, but I have secured a copy. I also picked up vol13-14 of the Locomotive mag and it was great. Also NRHS bulletin from 1990 with Ghost Rails of Virginia with several photos. Ferrells vol 1 book is great.
I will reply again when I have a small web site completed with the information on the Nelson & Albemarle I've found.

Ok, it's been a couple of years, and here's the latest update....
1) I have a Google Site known as The Nelson & Albemarle Railway Historical Society Website. Search with Google for the words, Nelson, Albemarle, and the site will come up. I've tried to locate every place that held detail or data on the N&A (publications, websites, videos, etc.) and post how to find it on the site. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions as I'm always looking for new information or copies of things to post.
2) I've started my own model layout of the N&A (started circa 1948~1951, but includes the much loved link to the Southern Railway in Rockfish that closed after flooding took out bridges in the mid-40's.)
3) On the way to Virginia in late-July 2009 to visit family in Waynesboro, Charlottesville, Richmond, and Anderson SC (oldest daughter and husband). While traveling I expect to look up that Alberene 0-4-0 in Marion, VA.
I appreciate all who commented on this message and gave me some great guidance on where to find this steam engine.

Ok - I'm replying to my own post 2 years later. In July 2009, I visited Goshen Virginia and the last remaining steam engine (albeit static) at the North Fork Lumbar Company south of town. For informational purposes, I've described this visit in detail on my Google Sites location: "Nelson & Albemarle Railway Historical Society" (nelsonalbemarle) where I have attempted to provide as a registry for places where you can find information/publications/websites regarding the Nelson & Albemarle Railway (i.e.: photos, where to buy, information previously un-noted, etc.) that will help those seeking to find data or include data! We are NOT in place to be violating anyones copyrights (as I have the copyright on one image that has copies being replicated on purchase by other groups), so want to keep this as INFORMATIONAL only. Finding the former N&A engine in Goshen, was GREAT! I have detail photos (large thumbnails are on the google site) and will have the entire set there in the next few weeks. Contact Will Harris at North Fork Lumbar Company to arrange permission to visit this PRIVATE site and view the engine. It is NOT on display, but stored, so be aware of this and dress appropriately (i.e.: no shorts, t-shirts - recommend long sleeves, jeans, boots).http://sites.google.com/site/nelsonalbe ... repository
Comment on this here for further detail if desired. Thanks for those that helped me find this.

Regarding Mr. Maples earlier post about a 4-wheel internal combusion lokie that was on display with the steamer at Marion, but is no longer there...could that 4-wheeler now be the locomotive on display in Damascus, VA, near the Virginia Creeper trail?

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EQ ... BwF541ly0g

Is this the one that was once in Marion, VA?