Back in 2006 TWVRPS aquired a group of machine tools from the RRMPA. They were the subject of a news brief here:

http://www.rypn.org/briefs/single.php?f ... 010912.txt

They stored the tools outdoors for a number of years at the Walkersville Southern Ry. About a year ago TWVRPS had gone pretty much dormant, and decided to get rid of its assets. Walkersville Southern kept the Lodge & Shipley lathe. The remaining tools were offered to the Roanoke Chapter NRHS. Last Thursday, the Colburn milling machine, Niles radial drill, and the steam hammer arrived at 9th St. All of the tools are somewhat worse for wear having been stored uncovered outside for a number of years. They will be tarped for now. Our long term goals include a joint restoration shop with VMT, if this comes to pass the mill and radial drill will probably return to service. The steam hammer will most likely become part of a proposed VMT exhibit on locomotive construction.

Thanks for the post, Gary. It's been a long time since I've heard about this. Glad you guys at the Chapter and VMT will denefit from this.

This is sortof off topic in a way, but what restoration projects are the VMT guys planning on doing? I know they have a number of painting projects underway. I was wondering if they were ever going to do anything with those E-8's and other equipment stored at Shaffer's Crossing.

Martin

thnx for that, were any of the group involved in helping the move?

I was involved with the group on the lost engines watch trying to solve issues.
The yahoo groups and lost engines site are still up, posting in them you may still get response back from one of the group. Since the 4-8-0's have now found new homes the group has felt mission accomplished, as the purpose of it all was to save the engines.

The equipment/tools aquisitions were all the probable assistance in the engines restorations by the group, but our goals were to make sure the engines were saved and if the tools go somewhere to aid their restorations and help other efforts, mission accomplished.

There might be some miscillaneous articles associated with the group for possible distribution, but you will have to check with Richard Jenkins or Andrew Martin for more details.

any questions feel free to ask me if Richard or Andrew arent contactable.

I am in regular contact with Richard

Was TWVRPS the same group that also saved the West Va Northern engines from PA?

Wesley

Martin, In response to your question, VMT has partial funding in place to cosmetically restore the GG1 and Pullman "Lake Pearl" next. They also have funding for an expansion of the train shed (a 25% increase) so there is more space under cover for restored exhibits.

As far is what the Chapter is working on, in addition to some needed repairs on the two operating locomotives, we have jointly applied for a grant to partially fund restoration of Chapter owned N&W P3 class coach #538. It will be the primary focus of our efforts after CW 662 is completed and will join the pool of operational equipment for the train rides at VMT. It will be replacing baggage/tool car 1407 which is leaving for Chattanooga soon to join the "new" NS Steam Program. We are also looking at restoring Southern open air coach 1070 for use in the operational pool.

As for the equipment stored offsite, VMT wants to keep the RF&P E8 as it is a Virginia piece, as well as N&W PG coach #1662. The coach is in extremely rough condition however, when space becomes available at either 9th St. or at VMT we want to move it back for a complete survey of it's condition and possible cocooning for future restoration. The rest of the stuff offsite is pretty much available to a good home at reasonble prices.

So, what else is stored off site at VMT? anything interesting?

Depends on your definition of interesting. A Wabash E8, an EL SDP45, and an N&W 150 ton derrick.

VMT still has that equipment in the yard where the boxcar got smashed or did that get moved out?

That's the stuff we're talking about

An EL SDP45 is available? Wouldn't that be great to bring back to former Erie territory.

Andrew is still around as well. He works with the husband of one of my employees. Glad to see the Machine Tools going to a better home. I was a co-founder along with Andrew and several others. We had our first child right about the time the Society got off the ground and I saw free time rapidly dissappear. Kids are getting bigger now - we need to look at giving Gary and his crew a hand.

Mike Stillwell
Buena Vista, VA.

Mike, We're still "hiring" at 9th St, at double last year's salary. Right now we're pushing hard to finish 662 by mid-June so it can go on display at VMT in July. Because of the train rides at VMT, and exhibition requests that we are now getting (522 is heading to Spencer in June for their Rail Day), we're going to have to focus on the operational and potentially operational equipment after that. Hopefully, in a year or so, we'll be able to give more attention to 1118.

ELDCPS, did you read this? Did they use those in intercity passenger or commuter service?

Believe it or not, New River, those engines were freight only, despite the model designation. E-L ordered that model because of its longer frame, which gave it an extra big fuel tank. Though cataloged by EMD as a passenger engine, and actually ordered by at least one road as such (SP?), the E-L's units never had passenger equipment, such as steam generators.

Despite that, I can easily see northeasterners wanting to bring this one home, and painting it in the yellow, grey, and maroon of E-L, perhaps to run in the Scranton area.

Important question--can you still get parts for a 20-645?