USATC at this tourist RR in Delaware. Said to still be stored at Lewes, Delaware.

http://cgi.ebay.com/7183ND-RAILROAD-PHO ... otohosting

Now it's the centerpiece of a restaurant in Ocean View, DE.

See:

http://rides.webshots.com/album/562424044hZZQIV

I have spoken with the current owner. IF someone has a realistic use option for the loco, yes, there is room for negotiation. Unfortunately, the last couple people I sent to him agreed that the demanded price was way too much. I haven't been down there lately and thus can't say that the price is the same. I believe he wanted a display steam loco of comparable attraction.

In other words--that of the owner--"yes, it's a shame that someone isn't using her as a steam locomotive....."

Eh, give it time....when the place folds up (as these types seem to always do in volitile economy's,) the price will drop.

It needs to be rebuilt no matter what. Hasn't run in a while and was OOS before the new FRA guidelines.

So, its not a "pop it out of the box, set it on the tracks and go" engine.

Thats not to say it's a hard rebuild....or expensive.

What's she got "under the hood" so-to-speak...? Does anyone know why kind of performance she put out? She looks to be a husky little engine but beauty is only skin deep. Wasn't this the same engine that was stored in Nassau, DE before ending up here?

I worked on and with #3 at both W&W and QARR. She is a fine machine. Her boiler is sound and one of the newer ones out there. QARR put a lot more miles on her than W&W. She would probably not need firebox work. I would expect that she would need tubes, new form 4, air brake, and some running gear work to be put back into reasonable shape.

She is a switcher. Less experienced crews often had problems keeping steam on longer sustained runs. Her boiler would not keep up with her cylinders if the engineer and fireman did not work well together. She did steam well with decent oil and a good crew.

Right now she is not in any danger and is not rotting. If a few years pass you never know what will happen. Until then she is in good hands.

I seem to remember reading at one time that Queen Anne's RR had an N&W combine car on it's roster. Does anyone know which car it was and what happened to it?

Greetings Friends,

I was Queen Anne's General Manager and sole locomotive engineer 1992-1996. I was the last one to run #3. Overall, it is a good engine, and routinely pulled 3-5 coaches, and sometimes 7 plus caboose.....on relatively flat track. We burned waste oil, and generally had no problem keeping steam with a light haze from the stack. Boiler is good (basic UT check winter 1993). New tubes installed hastily during early summer one year, and poorly seal welded by a welder from a boiler shop in Wilmington......I should have sent him home.

Running gear needs new rod brasses and some hub liner work at least, possibly more. Injectors are problematic, and need replaced/repaired. Appliances worked fine, but probably could use a going through at this point. Left in nearly running condition as parked at Nassau winter 1997. I don't know what has happened since then.

Gutsy? Seven car light and heavyweight train was no problem. Pinch hit on freight occasionally, and after taking an 18 car loaded grain train from our interchange, the Conrail crews nicknamed #3 "Mighty Mouse".

QARR had on it's roster: N&W combine #1504, NYC heavyweight, PRR MP54 (from W&W), four ex-New Haven Osgood Bradley stainless over carbon cars converted to dinner train, two ex-Army baggage (one converted to power car + tender for #3), ex-PRR twin unit diner (not in service). Also used Delaware Coast Line RR: ex-PRR Alco T6 #19, ex-PRR caboose.

Thanks,
Mark

Hi Mark, thanks for the interesting comments. Are there any pictures floating around of the #3 when it occasionally pulled freight on the QA? Pictures of that 18 freight behind the #3 would be great to see! Thanks either way. Seth