Does anyone know the status of the AoS roundhouse's steam locomotives? Specifically moorehead and north fork/southern 12 (1643) and nkp 763?
Just saw an Ohio Central Tv show and was curious Thanks for any input!

Is the place finished? And what exactly goes on there?

Steve

Yes I'm pretty sure that the facility is finished. It is a fully functional steam locomotive roundhouse and repair shop. There is more info, and pictures at Age of Steam Roundhouse.com

Trains magazine did a big spread on it in the last year, it gets coverage here frequently, and the engines you mention also get coverage in the Trains Newswire.

On August 26th the 12 was in the first roundhouse stall.

Michael

The roundhouse complex is essentially complete with the exception of the drop table that is current being restored and the addition of a very large piece of machinery for the shop that is getting some attention. The focus has been up to this point to get the facility up and running, but some engine work (steam and diesel) has gotten done. 1293 is currently in the backshop getting some light work. M&NF 12 sits in stall one with her boiler stripped after asbestos abatement. NKP 763 sits in stall three with her boiler stripped after asbestos work as well. They, along with all the others await their turn in the backshop. AOSR only has a small force to do an enormous amount of work. You will see great things come from here in the future I'm sure though.

When work is started on 12 will return to southern livery?

I don't know what Mr. Jacobson's future plans are for the locomotive, but of course, it is his engine now, so whatever the decision, it is up to him. There are good arguments for keeping it as Morehead & North Fork #12 or for restoring it as Southern Railway #1643. I once ran across a series of photos on the internet of Southern 0-6-0's and as I recall, only one of the 0-6-0's had their headlight lowered to the center of the smokebox door as is on number 12 today. The interesting thing is that the engine so photographed wasn't #1643, but one of the other 0-6-0's. I think it was number 1642, but my memory may be wrong on that. I assume that there may have been a program to upgrade the 0-6-0's with centered headlights, and other changes, that may have been ended when dieselization came in. Another possibility is that 1643 (or the other 0-6-0) may have had an accident and gotten a new front end. In any event, if Jerry Jacobson does decide to restore the engine to Southern livery, I hope he keeps it as the Southern last restored it with the centered headlight, which also is the way she appeared during her long service on the M&NF.

Les

Les,

You were right about it being 1642 that had its headlight centered in its career on the Southern. I am not sure when 1643 (a.k.a. 12) had its headlight centered, but it could have been done.The only photo I have in my collection is of 1643 with its high mount headlight. It is quite clear between the two photos of 1643 that her domes and other small features were altered or removed, so its headlight could have been lowered after that re-build. Either way, I am excited that she is being restored. Being a Southern fan, just the fact that she survives makes me happy!

10stewi -

Thanks very much for the photo of Southern 0-6-0 #1642. Maybe my memory isn't quite as bad as I think it is! When I first saw that photo of 1642, I thought that "hey, somebody recorded the Southern number wrong on the M&NF #12; she's really the 1642!" But of course, the railroad probably rebuilt other 0-6-0's (like 1642) to this style, including the 1643. Anyway, I'm glad you found that photo. Whatever livery (M&NF or Southern) Jerry Jacobson decides to use, I'm just glad she is going to be restored.

Les

The numbers on 12's tender were hand painted by local artist Bobby Christian of Cleafield in 1992. They have held up well don't you think?
I am looking forward to #12's return to service.

I found a photo of 1643 in my collection while in St. Louis. This is a volrath photo.

JD Johnson, Morehead and North Fork Railroad Historian