These came through on my Flickr feed.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44509753@N03/4456994363/

it looks like she is getting some long overdue TLC.

Did anyone else notice that the "air compressor" is two air-cooled jugs from a diesel loco compressor (Wabco 3-CD ?) bolted together and mounted to the old compressor bracket?

Howard P.

Sharp eyes, Howard. Look closely at the other photos, and compare them to shots of 1134 in the scrapyard.

http://lostengines.railfan.net/nw1134.shtml

You'll see a lot of other things on 1134 that have been dummied up for display. Our crew did about 1/2 of the sandblasting & primering on 1134. The rest of the work has been done by North Fork, Inc., Will Harris' company. Some very creative work with scrap metal has taken place here. (If an "Art Museum" had done it, there probably would have been Federal grants available to pay for it..........) Our guys have also made a very nice non-working replica N&W "hooter" whistle for her as a donation for the Portsmouth Museum. She is scheduled to be painted in the next couple of weeks, then loaded on a flat car for the move to Portsmouth, where she'll be reassembled into one piece.

Gary,

Are those compressor parts out of the CW diesels? And it looks like some new rods as well. Are those steel fabrications or wood?

The whole thing looks really good. Amazing comparison with a few years ago (yes, I did see them in the "wild" the day the OWL MUseum opened). Will there be a cover over 1134 at Portsmouth?

Howard P.
Faux, NY

Howard, The compressor "jugs" came off a scrapped EMD, I'm not sure where Will got them. Look closely at the main rods. They are pieces of rail, with ends fabricated from sheet metal and hardware store bolts. The "new" side rods on the engineer's side are from the weeds at the scrapyard. As best as we can tell, they are from a scrapped W class 2-8-0. They are smaller in cross-section than the other rods, but because of the position of the wheels the difference isn't that noticable. The "boiler tube" pilot is made from old chrome auto/motorcycle exhaust tubing. There are some other goodies that aren't visible in the photos. The "dynamo" will be an old gear reducer that really looks like a Pyle-National product once the gears are chopped off and an exhaust tube added, and a "boiler check" is being fabricated from new plumbing fittings. The new running boards are standard modern expanded metal safety tread.

Nice work with readily-available materials!! Is the eccentric rod simply a smaller rail section?

Howard P.

definately temporary display work. Compressor is well, looks diesel...heh.

some creative work out of wood you could have something.

We hada young fellow in our meetings involved with the Portsmouth museum enthusiastic about 1134, even the possibility to return it to steam, maybe...someday...keep that dream...

1118 is in better shape for a full restoration but none of the engines impossible for full restoration.

keep the dream tho...maybe...someday...

Considering the Brits just "restored" a Pacific to steam where the only original things remaining were just a few bits of paper in the National Railway Museum archive, I suppose the term "impossible" is relative! Wouldn't hold my breath though!

I also notice from the photos that 1134, the only one of the 4-8-0's in the yard that still had a smokestack, is now missing hers. I assume it's off being used as a pattern for 1118's new stack? Will the VMT be able to get in on a volume discount and have one made for 1151 while they're at it?

Yes, the eccentric rods are smaller size rail. Will has the stack, he is going to make a couple of fiberglass replicas for the other engines. (Although we are planning on eventually making a "lost styrofoam" steel casting for 1118. We have copies of the original drawings). As far as 1134 running, well, never say never, but there are a lot more projects out there that would be a better use of the money. 1118 is turning out to be in better shape than anyone expected. I expect her to roll on her own wheels soon. As far as an operating restoration, we need track first.

Hello. I see you found my photos. I'm glad that everyone is enjoying them. The view counts have exploded on the photos of the #1134. I think I have everything up that I took of it but will be posting photos of the other equipment on the yard.
Gary I've been trying to email you but it keeps kicking it back.
Thanks for viewing.

I have picture posted of the #1118 as well. http://www.flickr.com/photos/44509753@N03/4466558050/
Be sure to check out that set as there are plenty of shots of both engines.

thanks for sharing gentlemen!

If you guys have the opportunity sometime on 1118 and or 1134, get in the smokebox and take some shots towards the flues, I am looking for the presence of the superheaters, I tend to assume the engines still have them.

I think there is a cinder screen in the way, Andrew Martin has been all over the engines at the scrapyard taking shots, but none too good on seeing the superheaters. If you get shots of them it will help checking on their condition.

If I get the chance I will try. The thought did cross my mind while I was there last weekend. It will be easier to do on the #1134 since it's closer to the ground.

As far as I know, the superheaters are still there on 1118 and 1134. 1151 appears to have been sold for scrap in the middle of an overhaul, hence the missing flues, superheaters, and rods. More progress on both engines was made last week. 1134 had more of the dummy appliances mounted, and if weather permits, painting will start this week. The tender will be moved from Goshen to Portsmouth later this week, and 1134 will be loaded on a flatcar for movement in about 2 weeks. Our steam crew has finished the new bolts for 1118's pilot beam and front coupler. She is near to being moved on her on wheels for the first time in 60 years (with bearings and axles properly cleaned and lubricated)

We worked Saturday on lubricating the Chesapeake Western Baldwins in preparation for moving them to make room for 1134's loading. Will Harris stopped by in the afternoon to check on 1134's progress. North Fork Inc. has been busy the last few weeks with site preparation at Portsmouth for 1134's arrival, and moving two lightweight ex-C&O passenger cars via truck from the North Anna Nuclear Power Plant to Staunton for the Buckingham Branch RR. (BBRR is working on a small business train) As a correction to my earlier post, 1134's "pilot" is made from handrail tubing, not exhaust pipe. It is also supposed to receive a center bar from channel stock.

Mike, I've enjoyed all the photos you've posted on Flikr, and I hope you'll keep coming back and recording the happenings at 9th St. You've also done a great job of answering the sometimes off the wall comments that are frequently made there by those uneducated in rail preservation. Almost all of us here on RYPN started out as "railfans". Whenever you're ready to get your hands dirty, we've got plenty of rust with your name on it and will be glad to help you with "graduating" to become a working preservationist.