With all due respect, NO place, except possibly the middle of nowhere in the Arizona or New Mexico desert, is a "good place" for storing a vintage piece of rail equipment totally unprotected for, what, over a decade unattended and apparently uncared for? That is not "historic preservation," sorry.

(I've popped in on those locos, and others and RDCs, in South Jersey regularly over the past two decades. I'm not sure what's sadder, the vandalism or the appearance of apathy by the owners/groups.)

I'm sorry, but it would not be appropriate to discuss long ongoing litigation, now compounded by an active arson investigation, in this venue.

Totally OFF TOPIC _ BUT...Are the former LIRR P54 coaches gone from Boontown? This came up in a discussion with a friend.

Long gone, maybe five years now...

There are many factors and many players that have lead South Jersey from a path of potential preservation mecca to its current dubious status as the area of the country that has seen a vast array of historic equipment trashed and/or scrapped.

There is no single culprit. Politics, good intentions and - perhaps most importantly - the departure of some friends of preservation (some on to other things, some off our mortal coil) all contributed to the situation as it is today.

I find it hard to damn the owners of equipment that was moved to South Jersey because of the promise the area once held to be a strong hold. Now, we are left celebrating the few pieces that got out alive and (thank heavens) have SMS as a bright, shining star of preservation done well in South Jersey.

Rob

If those pix were taken this year, then someone else's been doing some serious brush cutting around that unit--it was practically invisible last year--and we (ARHS) cut some of the heavier brush on the short hood end. There's really not much left worth saving on this old gal anyways, 'ceptin maybe the generator and
some parts off of the trucks (which have no traction motors). Strasburg and Altoona have both turned down potential ownership of this beauty, but it could be YOURS for THE LOW, LOW PRICE OF...........

Also, that's private property (not ours) so I hope you got a release from the owners in order to access this locomotive. The local dirt bikers and ATV riders don't seem to worry about that much, though......

Also, the siding was cut many years ago, so it's no longer connected to the active rail network. We haven't forgotten about it, but other projects have taken priority. It will probably be shuffling off this mortal coil soon to provide funds towards our active projects, like the B-unit, at Steamtown.

Walter - If you are who I think you are your words certainly have the imprimatur of authority for th AHRS - Thank your putting an end to the 'Look what the bad preservationists did to an engine they shouldn't have been allowed to buy' nonsense. It was purchased as an organ donor. In your business that is what needs to be done to find the parts. I am familiar with another pair of Alcos which are in storage for the same purpose and while I would like to see them run again I would rather see the beneficiaries run.

Alexander, really now. You seem to be challenging me for the position of Resident Curmudgeon. Why do you always seem have your knickers in a knot over Washington Terminal 59? This situation seems to be anything but the supposed negligence of the owner.

As I've pieced the story together over the years the engine was acquired as an investment and leased to the then operator of the shortline on which which it now resides. The owner of the shortline defaulted on the lease, refused to arrange the return and every time the owner had a potential buyer or lessor show up for that engine or either of the two which he owned there was another round of significant, apparently orchestrated, vandalism. Most of the damage done to the other two was not random vandalism or quick money scrap. The initial damage done to 59 was identical to the damage done to the other two on the same weekend and they were stored roughly 30 miles apart It was done by people who knew what they were doing. So far attempts by the owner's counsel to come to a resolution with the owner of the company have been fruitless.

Now I am curious what you believe he should have done differently, other than not do business with a company which turned out to be run by a crook? (See Note) You have stated on this forum that you rode behind the unit on a rare mileage excursion several years ago. Instead of treating 59 as the poster child for bad preservation, which it is not, I suggest you reach out the owner - a private message would be a good start - with the details and possibly any pictures you might have.

GME

Note: I will stand by my characterization. Before anybody challenges it or accuses me of an ad hominem attack I suggest doing your homework, including the New Jersey Insurance Commissioner's records concerning the revocation of his producer's license, the Philadelphia actions concerning the ownership of the company, and the handling of grant money and material meant for rehabilitation of a county owned line.

As I type, I'm seeing reports from Facebook that another RS1, Delaware Coast Line 23, formerly Virginia & Maryland 23 and before that Soo Line 351, is being cut up today in Georgetown, Delaware.

Trainlawyer, I am the ARHS President, so I know whereof I speak.

I forgot to mention that we've also tried saving this unit via private ownership and a group in N. Central PA that was looking for a display-only unit. That was roughly 10 years ago-maybe longer, even--in between Strasburg and Altoona. Both deals fell through, obviously.....

There's no way it would move by rail w/o a LOT of work, and you'd still need a crane to get it back onto live rail.

We didn't come to this decision hastily or lightly. In fact, we've been 'dragging our feet' a bit in addressing the last few issues which must be addressed for final disposal. And, it's not like no one else knows about this engine or it's been sitting in the middle of nowhere (although where it is could be described as a 'hole' in the greater Phila metro area). Sometimes, ya just gotta save what you can and let the rest go.......

Bummer about the RS1(s)....

COL Edwards has provided a very accurate and scholarly summation of the situation regarding the ALGX equipment in Southe Jersey. I was tempted to say a bit more a few days ago, but would have gone into rant mode.

There were a few arrests made, persons caught with TOOLS IN HAND, on the two units stored below Winslow Junction. Two of them skipped court, and are now in Florida, which makes restitution very unlikely. This information came from a third detainee, who did appear in court. He also provided some very interesting additional testimony, naming other parties, which of course can't be related here.

Thank you again, COL Edwards; look for a PM in a few days.

EDM
(SFC, USAR, RET...at last)

Vandalism has a way of quashing one's spirit and desire to keep working on these old beasts, sometimes leading to the appearance of apathy. Our FA was a victim a few times: We put in new windshields, which were smashed by rock throwers from an overhead bridge. (The loco was parked in a horrible spot for that, but the active equipment took priority, obviously); Copper thieves removed some major cabling, along with Cu from EDM's units; and we were tagged a few times. I'm glad we got her up to Scranton along with the F's and #414. Also glad that we didn't store the rest of the TM cables in the FA Carbody. :-)

That SJ location was secluded, maybe too much so for those who knew what was back in there.