Steamtown's old Belgian 0-4-0VBT may be available?

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Mon Jun 30, 2014 2:21 pm

In the middle of other phone calls attempting to broker, or help people find, other rail equipment, the following loco fell ignominiously into the conversation:

http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomo ... splay=1672

This little 1877-built Belgian switcher was brought to the States by Nelson Blount for Steamtown; it parted from the collection in the 1988 Steamtown Foundation surplus auction and was acquired by a party in Susquehanna, Pa. for display at the Starucca House restaurant. The original owner died, and the costs of the building forced the business to close down, and the building has reportedly been for sale for some years.

I was informed that a private party bought the "lokie" some years ago and relocated it to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area. That owner is reportedly (according to one of his many alleged creditors) in bankruptcy, or about to be so.

It's entirely possible for a little gem like this to fall through the proverbial cracks or ties, and my friend and I have no desire to see this thing meet an ignominious end. This is a hideously impractical and barely historical piece, but if someone really wants a unique lawn ornament or live-steam project, start preparing a firm proposal and/or raiding the savings account.....

(Note: This party supposedly had other rail equipment in a couple places; I am informed that all non-historic stuff has already been scrapped and/or liquidated, and that a discussion is ensuing over another historic piece, supposedly belonging to another party, supposedly still on "his" (leased) property. Please do NOT air "dirty laundry" or allegations, name names, etc. in this forum. Focus strictly on preservation possibilities.)

alcoguy1 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 30, 2014 3:44 pm

Purely from the outside looking in, I would say that Williams Groove would be a decent candidate to preserve/display this little beast. If nothing else it displays similarities between traction engines and locomotives.

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

"Don't air dirty laundry or allegations" but it is OK to cite unnamed third parties who claim the owner is going bankrupt and then allude to supposedly shady details? Yikes.

Rob

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Mon Jun 30, 2014 11:50 pm

If you know the loco or the RR business, or even the geographical area, you may be able to figure out who this is. The guy owes me a favor; he owes some of my associates a LOT more, or so they allege. I don't want to go naming names in public, and even as much as I trust the info and sources, I haven't actually seen the loco in/on his property, or confirmed the supposed fiscal crisis.

My only interest at this point is possibly saving that loco. I like the idea of Williams Grove, or possibly other steam thresher groups, but I'm skeptical that boiler can pass any current regulations.

Farmer · **Joined:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:08 pm **Posts:** 30

I saw the loco in question about a month ago. Doesn't look that good now. Still sits where it was the first time I saw it 2 or 3 yr's ago..... That whole site was under about 10 feet of water (or more) during the last big flood, so I'm sure she was filled to the top with water..............

(added)
allways wondered what the story was on this machine, the first time I saw it.......... sat right outside with no covering or protection.... It is looking pretty sad right now.

Farmer.