Do any of you have any updates on how things are progressing with the 2156?
lois

I think someone posted here about the status recently, there wasn't any set in stone timeline for the move, there was still some prep work to do.

Just passing information along from the N&W historical society email list:

"Nothing has happened during the past month - but - this week is different. According to the Curator, NS has OK'd #2156 for the big move. Step 1 will take place this Friday, when the MOT will move the Y6a from its dead end location to a spot just inside the gate through which museum tracks connect with the UP/ex Mopac main line; and UP has been notified."

The loco was spotted at the gate leading to the UP at 11:30 today, awaiting pick-up. The museum has no information on when it will go, the route it will be taking, or when it is expected at any point on that route. Please don't call them asking as they can't provide what they don't have. Once it is out of sight they can only tell you it left. It was the same when Frisco #1522 was running and would leave the museum for a trip. The phone lit up and people wouldn't believe us when we said we didn't know where it was at that moment, when it would stop along the way, or anything else. Unless the engine crew called to tell us we just didn't know, and they never called. And don't bother NS, which is doing this for all of us and should not be pestered about it. If you see the loco please post that info for us.

Part of the work done to get the Y6a ready for its trip was to remove the front segment of the siderod on the front engine, fireman's side. This had been fractured at the museum years earlier and welded back together. One of the people from the Tennessee Valley RR Museum who came up to prepare the loco took it back to TVRM where it was measured to be sure it was the correct length after the repair, then had the weld machined smooth as it was rough in appearance. It is now back on the locomotive. The point of the break is nearly invisible in the photo unless you know exactly where to look.

Pardon my ignorance, but it the Y6b equipped with roller bearings? Did the journal require servicing prior to a move?

Yes, it is equipped with roller bearings on all axles.

Y6a. Of course. Please excuse me.

Roller bearings. Yes. Good.

Plan on heading to St Louis in the morning to hopefully snag a few shots before the big move. Attached is a photo from 1986 at St Louis Union Station after a cosmetic restoration.

Regards,
Burlington John

I know it's a bit of a stretch, but if she were to ever operate again, would that weld repaired rod stand up in service or would it need to be replaced entirely?

That rod would be replaced. Probably one of the easier jobs in any restoration of that locomotive. WM 734 has at least one new rod (main? side?).

Howard P.

Ron can correct me, but I believe the paint 2156 wears today is the same paint she wore in the 1986 photograph, showing the importance of under-the-roof storage. Most of 2156 was under cover when I was at MOT, only the tender was partially exposed. Still looks pretty decent overall.

The Y6 was repainted at MOT over 10 years ago but I can't tell you just when. And as of this morning it was still at the museum. And no, they don't know when it will leave.

The latest word that I have heard through VMT is that NS is expecting it to be on their property within the next week. Everything is subject to change, of course, as revenue business is always a higher priority.

I made a quick road trip to the Museum of Transportation in St Louis today to see if N&W Y6a 2156 was still there (it is) and to photograph it before the trip east to Roanoke. I had originally planned to link up with a bud for lunch, but the schedule didn't allow ... I wanted to get out of town before traffic hit! I haven't visited the museum in over 10 years and WOW was I impressed by all the changes that have taken place (more on that later). 2156 looks like it is ready to go; the museum staff didn't have any idea as to when the move is going to take place, but the tool car that is supposed to accompany the move east is nowhere to be seen, so who knows.

Regards,
Burlington John