I may have asked this before, but what is the current status of the shortline Morehead & North Fork in Kentucky? Last I knew, it was abandoned mostly intact (and disconnected from the outside world, as its C&O connection was removed), with two Baldwin diesels and an ex-Southern 0-6-0 on the property. In the early 1990s there was an annual railfest on the property, reportedly with one of the Baldwins operating and the steamer pulled out of its house, but these no longer occur. Two other M&NF steamers exist elsewhere. What is the status of the property today?

M&NF #11 in a previous life
ryarger@rypn.org

> I may have asked this before, but what is
> the current status of the shortline Morehead
> & North Fork in Kentucky? Last I knew,
> it was abandoned mostly intact (and
> disconnected from the outside world, as its
> C&O connection was removed), with two
> Baldwin diesels and an ex-Southern 0-6-0 on
> the property. In the early 1990s there was
> an annual railfest on the property,
> reportedly with one of the Baldwins
> operating and the steamer pulled out of its
> house, but these no longer occur. Two other
> M&NF steamers exist elsewhere. What is
> the status of the property today?

Yes. And what's the condition of the other two M&NF steamers (2-6-2 #11 and 0-6-0 #14) and where are they located today?


midlandblb@cs.com

> Yes. And what's the condition of the other
> two M&NF steamers (2-6-2 #11 and 0-6-0
> #14) and where are they located today?

2-6-2 11 (ex-Kanwaha Glen Jean & Eastern 200) is on display next to the former Huntington & Broad Top Mountain RR station in Everett, Pa. It is owned and being cosmetically restored by the Bloody Run Historical Society. This group acquired the locomotive several years ago from the Williams Grove amusement park & speedway near Dillsburg, Pa., where it had been stored since 1971. Prior to that, 11 had operated in tourist service at its current location in Everett, Pa. During the mid and late 1960's 11 was operated by the Everett Railroad, which utilized about 3 miles of former H&BTM RR trackage in the Everett area.

0-6-0 14 (ex-Union RR 77) is in Stearns, KY on the old Kentucky & Tennessee Ry., now home to the Big South Fork Scenic RR. I believe the plan is to restore 14 to operation. Prior to going to Stearns, the locomotive sat for many years at the former Tombstone Junction Railroad at Cumberland Falls, KY. During the 1970's and 80's 0-6-0 14--then numbered back to its Union #77--ran on a loop of track that served as a train ride in conjunction with the Tombstone Junction western-themed amusement park.

Regards,
Jim Robinson

To the best of my knowlege, nothing has happened in the past several years. From what I have heard (and I can't qualify this as fact) that the family invovled is no longer interested in the railroad. Of course for years, there have been wild rumors that the entire railroad would be scrapped soon, etc, but nothing has happened. It will be interesting to see what happens to the property.

david.wilkins@bardstown.com