New Hope and Ivyland #40 - Almost Ready to Go

bigjim4life · **Posted:** Sat Dec 17, 2011 2:12 am

Another steamer is getting very close to rolling out of the shops - according to the people at the NH&I (at least one of them that answers the phone) they hope to get the engine out, sometime this weekend! Well, here's some proof for you that she is very close to returning - video taken earlier, Friday, 12/16/11. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHcPkbJW ... el&list=UL

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Sat Dec 17, 2011 9:57 am

#40 is a great locomotive, but my day of rejoicing with come when 1533 is rolled back into the shops for a rebuild to her CNR configuration.

David Notarius · **Posted:** Sat Dec 17, 2011 10:26 am

Nice to see 40 back on the road. Yes, it would e a great day indeed once the 1533 feels a fire in her firebox again. Lets hope the NH&I boys finish the 4-8-4 soon and start on the 1533. Dave Notarius, London UK, ex New Hope PA

co614 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:27 pm

Pleased to report that # 40 returned to service today taking over the schedule with the 3:30 pm departure from New Hope.

She ran well today and it appears that the extensive running gear and boiler work was well done.

She is now scheduled to hold down the schedule through 12/23. See www.newhoperailroad.com for details.

Ross Rowland

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:40 am

This was shot on the 19th or December. 1533 is wearing a fresh coat of protective paint, but no further toward the shop.

Can anybody speak with authority on what is considered "wrong" with this locomotive? As the photo previously submitted shows, she's a handsome beast when assembled and under steam.

Photo courtesy of Tim Darnell.

David Notarius · **Posted:** Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:52 pm

Well, the 1533 has had a number of problems from various derailments from the early NH&I years. From what I remember from when I was an NH&I volunteer in 1974, the pony truck needed a complete rebuilding after a serious derailment. Also, someone cut out with a torch a couple of boiler wash out plugs after she was taken out of service in 1975. Besides the usual out of date boiler tube & super-heater work, the running gear needs a total overhaul. Last time I'd talked with one of the New Hope engine house crew about 4 years ago, they mention lost of parts have gone missing over the years, but nothing that can not be replaced. I'm sure there is a much longer list of work, but after seeing a few “Barry Hulks”, that had less parts than the 1533, in the UK completely rebuilt, I know nothing is impossible – if you have deep pockets. Would be nice to see her steam again!
David Notarius, London UK, ex New Hope Pa

JimBoylan · **Posted:** Wed Dec 21, 2011 1:51 pm

Lenny Smolsky is also trying to encourage interested money to put 1533 back into service.

David Notarius · **Posted:** Thu Dec 22, 2011 8:27 pm

Well, if anyone ever starts the "Friends of the 1533"; let me know! There is alot of us that started down the "... preservation path ..." because of this locomotive. That poor girl was born to run! David Notarius, London UK, ex New Hope PA

jasonsobczynski · **Posted:** Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:08 pm

Ross,

Thanks for the kind words about the #3 driving axle, crank pin, crown brass and hub liner replacement I performed. And, for taking notice that all of the work Jamie and I performed last year on the running gear, appliances, insulation, jacketing and piping systems made for easy reassembly after they replaced the tubes.

Cheers, Jason

junior · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:06 am

David, the great thing about 1533's eventual restoration is, that once it is done, the NH&I has a proven record of keeping steam in operation for many years. Look at 40, it has been in service 9 months out of pretty much every year, save for this past, for 19 years. That is the longest that steam has operated on the branch since the days of the Reading and quite honestly, the longest on any standard gauge tourist road outside of Strasburg and Cass...and they both have a stable of loco's to chose from.

The only other SG operation I can think of that has been that consistent with Steam is the WMSR.

Steve Freer · **Joined:** Tue Nov 09, 2004 1:24 pm **Posts:** 380

junior wrote:

David, the great thing about 1533's eventual restoration is, that once it is done, the NH&I has a proven record of keeping steam in operation for many years. Look at 40, it has been in service 9 months out of pretty much every year, save for this past, for 19 years. That is the longest that steam has operated on the branch since the days of the Reading and quite honestly, the longest on any standard gauge tourist road outside of Strasburg and Cass...and they both have a stable of loco's to chose from.

The only other SG operation I can think of that has been that consistent with Steam is the WMSR.

Let's add Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum to that list! #610 completed 21 seasons of operation in late 2010. TVRM hasn't been "steam-less" since....well I don't know. #630 ran from 1979 through 1989 (plus #722 in '84 & '85) while #610 'picked up' in 1990. Prior to 1979, the "Flying Duchess" and "3-Spot" had been running periodically...not to mention #4501 when in Chattanooga between SR assignments. To be honest, I don't think there has been any year since 1971 when the museum (East Chattanooga) was dedicated that TVRM has been "steam-free" for an extended period. Of course #630 was re-introduced early in 2011. If nothing else, 1979 through 2011 equals 32 successive years with 2-8-0's.

BTW: NH&I #1533 was the first steam I rode behind...unless it was BR&W #60 or MCC #385. Not to 'dis' NH&I, but prior to #40's reentry to service they had been without steam for a number of years, no?

Mgoldman · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2011 3:33 am

co614 wrote:

Pleased to report that # 40 returned to service today taking over the schedule with the 3:30 pm departure from New Hope...
She is now scheduled to hold down the schedule through 12/23.

Ross Rowland

Yup - she's back!
(Thursday 12-22-11 7 PM)

BTW - Excursions are listed on site for this Friday - continuing after the weekend Monday through Sunday and then on weekends afterward. All steam, I presume? Or perhaps just through December?

/Mitch

Scott Kwiatkowski · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2011 7:43 am

Quote:

Yup - she's back!
(Thursday 12-22-11 7 PM)

We had the doors open in the shop last night while working on LV 112 and could hear 40's whistle at the BRW in Ringoes. At first we thought our minds were playing tricks on us and where getting a little spooked, you know, maybe 60 calling out.

The air was just right and 40 sounded great!

Scott

co614 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2011 7:51 am

Yes, Jason, Jamie and all those who were on the team for her extensive overhaul deserve a big thank you as the hard work is now paying big dividends.

She's been running this week effortlessly with a 5 car consist which I suspect will grow to 6 or 7 cars today due to very heavy advance reservations and I'm confident she'll handle the additional tonnage equally well.

Fond best wishes to all for a very Merry Christmas.

Ross Rowland

KevinM · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2011 10:12 am

junior wrote:

David, the great thing about 1533's eventual restoration is, that once it is done, the NH&I has a proven record of keeping steam in operation for many years. Look at 40, it has been in service 9 months out of pretty much every year, save for this past, for 19 years. That is the longest that steam has operated on the branch since the days of the Reading and quite honestly, the longest on any standard gauge tourist road outside of Strasburg and Cass...and they both have a stable of loco's to chose from.

The only other SG operation I can think of that has been that consistent with Steam is the WMSR.

Connecticut's Valley Railroad is also a member of that club. They are also committed to steam operations and just added a 3rd locomotive to their stable ,with the rebuilding of the former Knox & Kane SY as New Haven 3025.

/Kevin