Copied and pasted from http://www.sy-country.co.uk/

Steam News (August 18th 2014)

Peter Semmelroch just got the info from a Chinese railfan, that US based Valley Railroad (Connecticut) which already operates ex. Knox Kane & Kinzua Railroad SY 1658m as “3025” nowadays, has purchased another SY in China. It is SY 1385 from Jinzhou Heavy Machinery Factory (the Jinzhou near Dalian, not the Jinzhou near Nanpiao).
At the moment they seem to be looking for a place in China where 1385 can be fully overhauled according to US Standards. Aw Sujiatun was suggested but they have already sold many of the machines necessary to overhaul steam (For the recent cosmetic overhaul of JF886 the wheels had to be sent away for example). Now besides Sujiatun, Fuxin and Tiefa are considered as possible options.

There would then be 3 SYs in the US.
Besides SY1658m at Valley Railroad, there is SY1647m at New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway (“142”).
SY 1647m was originally also owned by Valley Railroad, but sold to New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway after a SY that had been bought by them went down in the Indian Ocean. This SY was said to be numbered 1698m.

If it's true that they bought another Chinese steamy I can see 40 being stuffed and mounted just like 97.

Greetings:
Valley Railroad Co. is exploring several options for a third operating steam locomotive.
One of our options is sitting outside the shop at this time: No.97.
Our Board of Directors will make a decision based on our finances (read: real cost for a third operable steam locomotive and cash flow to cover those costs) not emotion.
When a decision is made, I'll post something.
Be well,
J.David
PS: No. 40 will be due for a 1472 Service Day Inspection at the end of 2014. We already have shop time scheduled for this work, materials ordered and commitments from our favorite boilermakers. It will be back in service by July 2015. JDC

There are places stateside to restore engines ..hint...hint

if you get it over here you won't have anymore questions, if thats in the plans, why not.
If anything you have kept another steamer from a scrapping.

When they are buying and shopping in china, it's all about cost.

How long before they start shipping locomotives from the US to be shopped in china, hmm?

One of the things I really appreciate about RYPN is that the speculation and rumors so prevalent on so many other rail-based forums is answered, effectively, by people that actually have the right to speak.

"Our Board of Directors will make a decision based on our finances (read: real cost for a third operable steam locomotive and cash flow to cover those costs) not emotion.

When a decision is made, I'll post something.

Be well,
J.David"


Oh my. Thoughtful and rational capital allocation? What is this world coming to?

If anyone has been to the Valley recently they will know that there is a pretty well thought out business plan being executed there. Another SY from China should not be too surprising.

Agreed. Much like Strasburg, the Valley runs a tight ship.

This is off-topic: Does anybody know what motive power will be on the head-end of the Valley RR's consist this weekend?

-K.R. Bell

What work or repairs does the 97 need that is keeping it out of service?

Hi Kurt:
Unless something unexpected occures, No.40 will be on for the rest of October, "Your Hand on the Throttle" and North Pole Express-2 (the 5:30 & 7:30 train). We are trying to use up as many of No.40's remaining Service Days prior to it's next 1472 Service Day Inspection, due at the end of this year.
Further "off topic": our latest Pullman Heavy Weight restoration project, former Pennsylvania Railroad Parlor Car "DACOSTA" was out of the shop for a while this afternoon making a trip to Saybrook and back to test the rebuilt brake rigging, etc. and check that all of the freshly scraped in journal bearings are running cool.
Be well,
J.David

David,

That's good news about the DACOSTA. I believe it was a 28 seat, 1DR Pullman parlor car in service. Is VRR going to return it as a lounge car, or for some other use?

Randall Hicks visited the VRR this past summer, and has a post about his visit, including photos of the car in question on his blog:

http://hickscarworks.blogspot.com/2014/08/valley-railroad.html

Hi Guys; Another SY for the Valley would make good economic sense and a long term investment. Besides the fact of interchangeable parts, these locomotives would require less maintenance than an 70+ year old steam engine. They would save on the long term wear and tear of the older locomotives. My only suggestion would be, (if pockets are deep) pick up a third! The SY's will not be available forever! Nor will the parts & boilers! And available steam locomotives. Store it, lease it, or just rotate it in service with the other locomotives. Over to you, David C....

[quote="wilkinsd"] That's good news about the [i]DACOSTA[/i]. I believe it was a 28 seat, 1DR Pullman parlor car in service. Is VRR going to return it as a lounge car, or for some other use?[/quote]

I believe the correct car name is "DA COSTA" (two words), not "DACOSTA." Presumably a matter of importance to whomever will applying the lettering, always the culmination of such a comprehensive exterior restoration. Certainly the car was lettered as such during its PRR Tuscan Red era, as seen in this view at the Passenger Car Photo Index site:
http://bcoolidge.com/ANG%20Pix/ANG-PRR- ... 8_64_w.jpg