Although I could be proven wrong, I believe (and other sources tell me) that nothing has actually moved at the 643 site yet.

643 had been parked on a curved siding, so between the angle of the photo and the use of a wide-angle lens, I believe Tim Sposato's photo simply hides the tender behind the cab and firebox on a curve.

"Prove me wrong."
[sits behind card table on a college campus with a coffee cup, grin, and cocky swagger as per the popular online meme]

I've received a couple back-channel notes from others about this happy outcome, pointing out a small cloud on an otherwise bright day:

The paraphrased gist:

"Oh, no. Now all those 'armchair keyboard warriors' that spent the past year or three spouting 'IT NEEDS TO GO TO AOS/JJJ NEEDS TO GET THIS!!!!!' will think people in charge of these places actually LISTEN to them......."

HAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.. We can change the world with the power of our keyboards! (shaking my head, I think anyone who has seen her is overjoyed that she is going to AOSR, Heck I am sure that anyone that has followed her story all these years is happy she is getting preserved and looks forward to her future)

"643 had been parked on a curved siding, so between the angle of the photo and the use of a wide-angle lens, I believe Mr. Corns' photo simply hides the tender behind the cab and firebox on a curve.""

I did not make this photo--it was shot by Tim Sposato, AoSRM's chief mechanical officer. And, yes, #643 and its tender sit on a curved section of track that hid the tender in the photo, just as Sandy correctly surmised.

Be safe.

John B. Corns

Oh, my bad.

Just checked google maps, and the locomotive is on a bit of a curve. At that angle it definitely could look like the tender wasn’t there.

Sorry for the hoopla everyone. That’s a false alarm on my part.

Could someone please keep us apprised of the steps taken in the move, or start a new thread on that? It will be rather interesting to learn how they move this beautiful engine and see photos of the process.
All the best to AOSR.
Thanks.

Oh heck, allow me to "throttle" the subject even further and wonder aloud, will we see a 2-10-4 under steam on AOS's rails? How fantastic to see something that long and heavy roll by under power!

Wait! Who said "foam"?

Have you seen the Bigboy or Challenger? They are even BIGGER than 643! It still be quite a sight to see a 2-10-4 restored once again! Hey maybe they could dress her up as a pseudo Pennsy J1 and loan her to the RRMPA! Wishful thinking...

Why in tarnation would anyone need to "dress her up as a pseudo Pennsy J1" when:

1) the differences in appearance are substantial;
2) the Museum in question is chock full of PRR locos;, and
3) the Bessemer & Lake Erie is ALSO a railroad that operated in Pennsylvania--almost entirely within it, in fact--and by that fact alone warrants representation there, even if only temporary?

Now, I'm wondering what The Hon. Mr. Anderson and his co-workers think of the idea of a B&LE 2-10-4 arriving at Leaman Place and rolling through Long Curve.......

This link to the AOS site includes the same video and a good overview of the move plan.

http://www.ageofsteamroundhouse.org/bessemer-lake-erie-no-643-update/

Any chance this move is going to be part of one of the cable TV shows that deals with large moves? It certainly is more of a huge move than some of the ones they have shown in the past.

Depending on which roads it goes, I’d say yes. Probably a bit of local news.

Any chance of a cosmetic/operational restoration as soon as she arrives since she’ll already be disassembled? It would be a cost saver to leave her in pieces while restoring instead of assembling then disassembling again.

She will get a cosmetic for sure.....operational....lotta $$ and no place to run.