At Clearfield, Kentucky, 10/9/55:

http://abpr2.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi? ... m+nf14.jpg

No date, but probably Clearfield (bought from the Union RR in 1955):

http://abpr2.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi? ... nf14_2.jpg

Last I knew, it was under overhaul for eventual use on the former Kentucky & Tennessee Railway, now a tourist line.

Bob,

You are correct in that 14 is being rebuilt for the Big South Fork Scenic Railway in Stearns KY.

When finished, this engine will have a completely new firebox and flue sheets. It was totally dissassembled and rebuilt from the ground up including new tender tank. There are some photo's at www.bsfsry.com

Of course #12 is still in Clearfield and 11 is in Evertt PA.

JD Johnson, Morehead and North Fork Railroad Historian

It's interesting that considering how late this loco was built (1944) and how big it is (90 tons), it is not superheated. Wonder why? The lack of superheaters will certainly simplify maintenance in tourist road service.

Howard P.
Return Bend, CT

Do I detect a bit of Army 0-6-0 in there? Except for the air pump location, that is-

EDM
Aquatong, PA

El, this 'ol girl is a lot bigger than #9. The Col. Hill 0-6-0s were just a bit smaller than the USRA locos, as I recall. The USRAs were superheated, Type A.

Howard P.
Stuck Whistle, PA

This locomotive came from the Union Railroad in Pa. It is one of two that are still in existance from that road. The other is an 0-10-2.

I personally am looking forward to seeing this engine in steam.

Take care,

JD Johnson, Morehead and North Fork Railroad Historian

HP, I remember, ages ago, having specs for the USA/TC engines side by side with my 1925 'Cyc. IIRC, all the main dimensions (drivers, BP, cylinders, etc.) gave me the impression that the Army engines were a fast and dirty, simple to maintain (saturated) copy of the USRAs- I do remember 40,000 TE or thereabouts, roughly the same as a 4-6-0 we knew at the time-

Have to dig all that stuff up again and take another look. I liked that engine! (The 0-6-0)

EDM
C-Clamp, (Bucks County) PA

I'm sure you're right-- you did the research.

Sad to see old #9 in pieces, advertised on Barnhart's and Ozark's railroad flea markets. She sure was a powerful engine!

Howard P.
Buckets-O-Coal, PA

On the occasion of my only cab ride aboard #9 at New Hope, thirty years ago, "Buckets-O-Coal" is exactly how the tender was loaded when nobody could find the keys to the tractor.

One trip on the Big South Fork Scenic (old K&T) and you will be convinced there is no way 2-8-2's (especially the 4501) ever could have traversed this line, but they did. Just how well that fat 0-6-0 will take to the sharp curves and light rail will be interesting to see. Steam or diesel, it's a great little railroad and worth a visit.

Alan Maples

The tractor had KEYS? I remember hotwiring it and jump starting it off my IH Scout a few times. Those were the days-

Never been to to the K&T, but I imagine there was a lot of squealing, with the accompanying flange and rail wear. Or did they keep water on the wheels, like at Cass?

EDM
No Reverse Gear, PA

That "Buckets-O-Coal" is a reference to one horribly hot, hazy and humid August Saturday, when the loader was "taken away" during one of the periodic late 70s internal feuds (Mc Hugh vs BVTA). We were able to load just enough coal, using 5-gallon plastic buckets between each of the 3 trips, to make the next round trip. The entire crew, including the uniformed conductor and trainman, helped with that job. At the end of the day, after banking the fire, I left the scoop with a carefully-arranged load of coal on it, sitting in an otherwise bare tender. It was the most exhausting day I ever spent on a steam locomotive, and after falling asleep on I-287 on the way home, wrecked my car. Yup, I still came back for more a few weeks later....

That M&NF engine is a pretty big loco; what weight rail do they have at the K&T?

Howard P.

MP 6 on the NAUG

I was told the "heavy" rail on the K&T was 90 pound.

Figured there was a good story behind the 'Buckets-O-Coal' reference. Perhaps that was the day I was there. I was 15 at the time and after hanging around and probably being a pest, I was offered a cab ride.

Alan Maples

Alan, I don't think you were there on that particular day; EDM and I would have given you a shovel and told you to start scooping coal!!

I wouldn't be surprised if the loader "broke down" or was "unavailable" a few times....

Howard P.