Hi, as an avid fan of US diesel preservation, I am a little perplexed by Vintage Locomotives (VLIX). I notice they have quite an array of potential preservation candidates, many of which are not yet represented in preservation, but of that list some are in museums but obviously ownership is retained by VLIX. Is VLIX owned by some benevolent diesel enthusiast or are the museum locos leased to pad out collections without the need to restore museum pieces? Will those locos become museum pieces in the event of the owners (inevitable) death. I recall a number of cases where private collections have been busted up, and sometimes scrapped, upon the owners death.

Regards

Wes

< Is VLIX owned by some benevolent diesel enthusiast >

VLIX is owned by a gentleman who is an avid fan and enthusiast of Alco Locomotives and the Louisville and Nashville. Many of his diesels are original L&N.

He is the most prolific preservationist and locomotive owner I know of. Artifacts VLIX owns are on loan to museums all across America. Many of his units are rarities. The preservation community is fortunate to have a person with his passion.

He is also my inspiration and mentor. He brokered my first acquistion, Western Maryland FA2 303, in August 2000.

My question is does he / do they VILX have a website?

Mr. Starr

No. He doesn't need one. The folks that need to know how to contact him.

In my occasional dealings with him, I've found him to be fair and honest. I believe he has posted on this forum in the past, correcting the historical record, etc. I kid him about his fondness for 224 powered Alcos, he is a member of a very small group in that regard.
Alex Huff

It's not just locomotives. There was a family connection to Nashville railroading, thus the interest in L&N and to a lesser extent TC and NC&StL. If you're fishing for the complete roster, good luck -- to say that his complete roster is a closely held would be an understatement. I know a few folks that have some pretty good partial lists.....

There are a considerable number of his units and rolling stock at Southern Appalachia Railway Museum in Oak Ridge.

ETA

I have sold engines to VILX, also done work for him. As an owner of locomotives myself, my hat is off to him for his choice to collect all he can and the moves he has made to preserve them.

JJ-

Are any of his locomotives operating? The ones I know of are all static displays at museums. They may be capable, or close to operating condition, but aren't.

Yes, there are a fair number of them that are operable. I have direct knowledge of two of them that were running today.

ETA

I found this partial list with photos: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locolist.aspx?id=VILX

I think its worthwhile to note that the 2608 is not now, nor has it ever been a VLIX owned locomotive.

ETA

I believe some confusion has popped up.

Somewhere in this thread, the reporting marks changed from VLIX to VILX.

This is what rrpictureachives.net has for VLIX:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locolist.aspx?id=VLIX

Much more extensive listing.

There are quite a few of those from RRPicturArchives list that are unfortunately in locomotive heaven, even a few that have gone on to new careers in third world countries. I know that there is just one LS&I U boat left on the current VLIX roster, I think all of the C&O SD-18s have moved on, and several of the Fs have been recycled.

ETA

Any idea which F units got scrapped?
I remember there was briefly a post from the gentleman on RailSwap where he mentions thinning out the herd, but it's gone now and I can't seem to find it to ask him.