Ex-Army 0-6-0s, unidentified, but my guess is they are Virginia Blue Ridge locomotives ready to be shipped north in the 1960s. Part of a series of photos taken by a Southern Railway employee while working on their geometry car. No. 7 was cut up later at the New Hope & Ivyland. Not sure if the other is the 5, 8 or 9.

http://abpr2.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi? ... Sred03.jpg

If I remember right, 7 and 9 were shipped together from the VBR to the NH&I, so the second engine in the photo should be 9. I believe this move was around 'bout July 1966.

Regards,
Jim Robinson

I remember #7 being in good exterior condition at NH&I, then being cut up for parts. What was wrong with that loco? The parts were supposed to be stockpiled for #9. #9 has lain out in the elements, disassembled for years. last year, somebody inquired into a purchase and reviving the old girl. Any news about that proposal? Is NH&I ever going to shop their stagnant steam?

Richard,
I would think they will , however they are finishing up a restoration of
Reading coach 1430 and have plans of restoration of two L&NE cabooses
as well. This along with a host of other items. I am sure the Northern and
other locos are on their list as well. Feel free to contact the railroad to perhaps get a better idea.

My best,
Eric

It's hard to say if that is indeed 9. When they were on NH&I property, the 7 faced north and the 9 faced south. There is the chance that they turned one at some point, but I would imagine that if they received both engines at the same time, they would have had them both turned to face south as do all their steamers.

It wasn't owned by NH&I, but I don't know why the owner agreed to or ordered it scrapped

I have since been told that #7 was an old Lima Loco Works engine, whereas #9 is an ALCO loco. I have also learned that it was purported that #7 had a thick, but warped crown sheet, and was cut up for that reason alone. I retrospect, that probably wasn't a good enough reason to scrap her, but so it goes....