C&O 490 status?

JayZee · **Joined:** Sat May 07, 2016 1:12 am **Posts:** 140

Very few hudsons survived dieselization and even fewer in streamline shrouding. I have started getting interested in C&O 490. Its a very very rare survivor and wonder often about the future of this gem. Does anyone know the current mechanical condition and if it would be a suitable mainline tourist locomotive.

Gary Gray · **Posted:** Fri Jul 22, 2016 11:16 pm

Having a place to run, secured by either a signed long term contract or track ownership, is far more important than the condition of the equipment.

J3a-614 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 23, 2016 9:05 am

JayZee wrote:

Very few hudsons survived dieselization and even fewer in streamline shrouding. I have started getting interested in C&O 490. Its a very very rare survivor and wonder often about the future of this gem.

Not mentioned is one other unique trait this locomotive has.

As far as I know, it's the only surviving example of an American locomotive with Franklin Type A poppet valves.

There are some other poppet valve engines around, including a former Army 2-8-0 in Maryland with a self-adjusting cut-off feature, but this is the only Type A installation that I know about, except for a live steam model of a PRR T1.

HudsonL · **Joined:** Mon May 24, 2010 10:22 am **Posts:** 548

Most important is coaches with working toilets and air conditioning. ;-)