C&O Kanawha 2789 cosmetic work

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6468

When Chesapeake & Ohio 2-8-4 #2789 first came to Starke County, the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum removed the sand box and painted it. This happened around 1988, perhaps a bit earlier or a bit later. For the past 25 years or so, the sand box has remained separated from the Kanawha. Last Saturday (12/12/15), the museum took its payloader and attempted to put the sand box back up on the boiler (photo 1) with Scott Griffith (top) and Matt Lasayko (on running board) directing the attempt. This did not go exactly as planned, as it was soon decided that the four supporting brackets were not in place. Forgetting these was not surprising; remember that they were removed over 25 years ago! A search through the steam locomotive parts car found the supports and they were put on the boiler. I wasn't there when the sand box was eventually slid into place, but I talked museum engineer John DeGan into pulling the engine out of the Shop this morning and managed to get a few shots (photos 2 and 3) as it sat in the low winter sun. It was a long time coming, but the 2789 looks just a bit better today!

Les

southern154 · **Joined:** Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:54 pm **Posts:** 317

What kind of shape is the 2789 in? Boiler, running gear, etc...

TimReynolds · **Joined:** Sat Aug 31, 2013 4:11 pm **Posts:** 287

Thanks for the pics. W/o the jacket, you can clearly see that this is one of the ones with a welded boiler. It would be interesting to compare its welded boiler seems to those of say the chinese locos or the Tornado.

soups · **Joined:** Sat Feb 09, 2013 11:26 am **Posts:** 57

very nice

Howard P. · **Posted:** Sun Dec 20, 2015 1:20 am

Is this the only welded boiler locomotive (from the "original steam era") preserved in the US?

Howard P.

Rob Gardner · **Joined:** Sat Aug 21, 2004 10:50 pm **Posts:** 574

Very good queation, Howard.

At one time it was reported that 2789's boiler is in excellent condition. Would be nice to see at least one C&O Kanawha restored to operation so you could have a reunion of Super Power AMC 2-8-4s.

Rob Gardner

rlsteam · **Posted:** Sun Dec 20, 2015 9:56 am

Having a representative of the last class of Kanawhas (1947) is a real plus for HVRM. It looks like it wouldn't take a lot more work to get her into fine static display condition.

tom moungovan · **Posted:** Sun Dec 20, 2015 11:05 am

The folks at Hoosier Valley are to be commended for the amazing amount of restoration work that they accomplish. I thoroughly enjoyed the day that I spent there earlier this year, mostly thanks to Les.

soups · **Joined:** Sat Feb 09, 2013 11:26 am **Posts:** 57

Howard P. wrote:

Is this the only welded boiler locomotive (from the "original steam era") preserved in the US?

Howard P.

As far as I know, yes it is.

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Sun Dec 20, 2015 12:09 pm

It would be lovely to see another Kanawha brought back to life. Gotta have a place to stretch her legs. Are any of the C&O 2-8-4's within a "shorter reach" of operational status today?

TimReynolds · **Joined:** Sat Aug 31, 2013 4:11 pm **Posts:** 287

Richard Glueck wrote:

Are any of the C&O 2-8-4's within a "shorter reach" of operational status today?

2716 last operaed in 1996. FWHS repaired her firebox which was one of the reasons her Southern RR excursion career was short lived. A 1472 level overhaul similar to 611's is probably all that is required (less the rear flue sheet).

Lincoln Penn · **Joined:** Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:40 pm **Posts:** 841

Howard P. wrote:

Is this the only welded boiler locomotive (from the "original steam era") preserved in the US?

Howard P.

I believe there is a Santa Fe 4-8-4 in the museum at Wichita, KS that has a welded boiler. IIRC, this was a replacement boiler built by A.O. Smith Co. to replace the original nickle steel boiler.

j32885 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 22, 2015 1:03 am

Here are some videos on C&O 2789:

HVRM Moving C&O 2789 and Wig-Wag Footage., Cam The Train Man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-tIlrm7pVk

Chesapeake and Ohio 2789 Steam Locomotive, by 844Streamtrain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds46LIsfBGA

The Story of Chesapeake and Ohio 2789, by 844Streamtrain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gthnTdOX6mg

NKP 765 Vs. Pere Marquette 1225 Vs. C&O 2789, by 844Streamtrain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juh01UgZq2A

NKP 765 with C&O 2789 Whistle:

C&O 2789 whistle on NKP 765, by Jason's Train Channel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDREiBl-Jd4

765 on the river bridge with 2789's whistle, Jason's Train Channel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZHUfFq3Vks

Enjoy! ^_^

C&O Kanawha 2789 cosmetic work

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