The method for dealing with women is simple (which is not the same as "easy"). There are two basic rules to remember, everything else is a corollary to one of these.

Rule #1: The woman is always right.

Rule #2: When in doubt see rule #1

Can you help me with the lineage on this locomotive?

When I hear the name "Virginia-Carolina Railroad" and google it, the first thing that comes up is a wikipedia (yes, I'm aware of its reputation) article that discusses the V-C that I know of, the former N&W Abingdon Branch, now the Virginia Creeper trail. Yet the provenance on steamlocomotive.info doesn't tie in to this; rather, it points to a locomotive with strictly Florida (or at least non-Virginia) roots.

Considering the former Abingdon branch's steam was 4-6-0s, 2-8-0s, and finally 4-8-0s, I'm curious as to the relevance of this locomotive for your collection. Of course, if you're just looking for "generic steam" for a different goal, then go for it.

And I admire the preserveration efforts you've updated us on. I hope to visit the group some day.

"Virginia-Carolina" refers to the Virginia-Carolina Chemical Company, a fertilizer manufacturer that operated the locomotive at one of its Florida plants. Prior to V-C, #50 was owned by the Osceola Cypress Company. Per J. David Conrad's "Steam Locomotive Directory of North America, Volume 1".

To the best of my knowledge, this engine was never employed by a common carrier railroad.

Alan Maples

A couple of thoughts... if the loco can roll on its own wheels then I prefer to roll on, roll off. Locomotives (and cars) are designed to sit on their axles... when lifting you are hanging the axles and wheels from the frame... and as a result, carrying weight from places not necessary designed to carry weight... there are lots of stories about locomotives being damaged by poorly thought out lifts. If roll on/off is possible, you can also save the cost of cranes, although it may be at the cost of volunteer hours, to prep the loco to roll and build up any crib work needed. If a volunteer crew is not available a educated crane operator may be a better choice.

Of course this means you have to make sure that you won't damage the loco by rolling it. If reports above are correct, and the tender axle brasses are missing, you would need to make up something to take their place. We have used hard wood bearings with success for short moves. You also need to check and oil the locomotive and lead truck bearings, along rod bearings etc... maybe drop the main rods.

Congratulations on a wonderful acquisition. Further I compliment your approach to the move and the plan (under cover, display for now, consider other options including restoration to operation later)

Randy

@Randy- thanks for those tips...

@John D: The history of the engine that Alan Maples posted is correct. To your question about its relevance to our collection- It is totally irrelevant to our collection, but it has EVERYTHING to do with our collection.

Confused? Here's the long answer:

When our NRHS chapter started its preservation effort sincerely, it began 15 years ago with the restoration/adaptive re-use of the 1924 brick Southern Railway/Carolina & North-Western depot in Newton, NC, about 40 miles NW of Charlotte.

And while it is a great building, with a great museum inside with artifacts of local railroading, the fact remains that other nearby towns also have great depots. In just a one hour drive west on I-40, one can see marvelous restorations not only at Newton, but Hickory, Morganton, Marion, Old Fort, and Black Mountain.

The question became- what can we do to attract people to our location? Get a caboose? OK, but other places have those too. Then we got lucky to some extent and had the brainchild of restoring and displaying Tarheel state NARROW GAUGE equipment. Given our geographic midway between the NC Transportation Museum, Tweetsie RR, and the GSMR, we would have a niche that no one else nearby, hell, no one else in the southeast would have, as well as have a convenient, existing tourism base to siphon from. To that end we have procured narrow gauge equipment from the Carolina & North-Western, ET&WNC, and Lawndale railroads.

HOWEVER, even with all this, and even with the projects we are very proud of, are John and Jane Q Public really going to be interested in a string of former chicken coops with a local pedigree sitting by our depot? Well, some are, but...

...the prevailing sentiment in our chapter is that NOTHING attracts the public like a steam locomotive. Put out a brochure with a boxcar on the front of it. Will you really garner the same interest as you would with a steam engine? I know where I would place my money. Some steam engine is better than NO steam engine is the bottom line.

The fact this this engine is standard gauge is not really a problem, as our 300' of covered track are dual gauge. The fact she is a fertilizer plant engine and lettered Virginia-Carolina is not problematic either. While us railfans are very interested in the loco's heritage, 95% of the museum's visitors will have no knowledge nor inclination to know. Will we try to teach them? Sure, but the bottom line is most people will let it roll off their backs and be satisfied with what they know "Virginia Carolina" to be. (I don't mean that to be cynical as much as realistic)

So, she is not technically relevant to the collection in that she is not neccesarily a NC or SE shortline or narrow gauge locomotive. BUT, she is extremely relevant to the collection because she will be the draw, the main hook, which will catch folks' eyes and bring them into the museum. (At least that's the plan)

Matt Bumgarner

PS: Truth be told, the fact she is an industrial engine *MIGHT* be a blessing. VC Chemical was bought in 1965 by Mobil, which is now part of ExxonMobil. Those folks give a LOT of money away via grants- who's to say they might not fund a restoration that could bring the mechanical wonder of our hobby and their predecessor back to life?

Matt-your post makes complete sense. Wishing you folks all the best with your preservation efforts.

For another glimpse of another "V-C" locomotive, this one located along the NC portion of the Virginia Creeper trail, check this out:
http://www.waymarking.com/gallery/image ... 7dc03438f7

Someone went to a great deal of effort (and $$$) to move 1-2 cabooses and this GE centercab to Todd, NC.

That railroad equipment at Todd was brought up in the late 70's/early 80's for a now defunct rafting/hiking company.

My family has had a cabin in the NC mountains since about 1972, and I remember before that equipment was brought in an old wooden N&W caboose sitting there that was falling in.

Other than the end of the Abingdon branch, there's not much in Todd other than a real-life old-timey general store and post office. It's worth the trip to see, and the homemade breads and pies are shipped in from Heaven daily.

Matt Bumgarner

Hi everyone-

Just wanted everyone to know that Virginia-Carolina #50 is moving this week from Lakeland, Florida to her new home at the fledgling SE Narrow Gauge & Shortline Museum in Newton, NC.

The drawbar pin 'tween the engine and tender was pulled out today with no problems and the tender loaded. Tomorrow, the engine will be loaded, tied down, and weighed, with travel north on Wednesday if all goes well.

Thanks to EVERYONE on this board who gave tips, contacts, advice, and support...this community has been a huge help in this endeavor.


Matt Bumgarner
Alexander Chapter-NRHS

Try contacting Ozark Rail Logistics at www.ozarkraillogistics.com they have experience in moving rail equipment.

Uh, thanks Mincy!

I'm sure Ozark does fine work, but we selected our mover weeks ago and the engine is already (almost) on the way!

Matt

Good job Matt gotta head west when it gets cooler and see yall's stuff.
Alan

WooHoo! Way to Go, Matt!
Phil

Roll on / roll off ?

Steve

No, not that lucky... Crane on / Crane off.

All of the tender wheels were missing wedges and brasses- it was loaded yesterday.

Today, the locomotive takes its turn. After sitting outside and in one place for 50 years, we just don't think she would roll easily.

Matt

Congrads on the move, can't wait to see some photos of the move and the VC 50 in her new home.

Ryan