In this engine, I think we have a lesson about the difficulties of preservation, especially if it ends up being scrapped by the new owner (I say that only because they are in that business).

Here is a small engine that should be of interest to a great many people in the the Preservation field.

It appears this engine served in Scranton at one time and served the DL&W from the 30's to the 60's. (when it became EL 324) This engine, along with the DL&W 426, now D-L 426 represents the first inroads of the new technology and shows the first steps of how 600hp became 6000. It represents the efforts of the only steam builder that had any success in the transition to the new technology, yet still shows how difficult it is for an enterprise to see, recognize , embrace and succeed at the producing a replacement technology.

The engine is small, intact, significant and was until very recently (maybe still is) operable. Its sale was known of in advance. Multiple organizations could have taken an interest in its preservation. Three that come to mind are Steamtown, ARHS, and Railroad museum of PA and I'm sure there's others.

So why why is it going to a scap dealer to serve as a shop goat or to meet an ignominious demise?

So much has been lost in recent years, we can''t save everything-but size and portability alone should have put this on the radar.

How do we fix this? Is it the money that we don't have or the lack of organization.

Here's hoping JB& son want to keep this most useful engine intact.



http://yardlimit.railfan.net/gallery/mk/index.html
superheater@rrmail.com

Okay, let me see if I have this straight:

We ALREADY have a private party out there buying up historically significant diesels and finding a way to make said diesels earn their keep. He already has in his custody apparently THE oldest surviving Lackawanna diesel which doubles as the oldest GM diesel extant. They seem to get along fine with Steamtown NHS, and probably won't let any scrappers anywhere near those diesels.

And you're complaining because they apparently didn't go out of their way to get one more? And that after apparently at least one other of the Alco model was saved elsewhere? (My records show one at the Illinois Railway Museum and one at Duluth)

Sheesh. Ain't no pleasing some people.

lner4472@bcpl.net

No Alexander, not complaining, just wondering.

First, NOBODY can take issue with the efforts of Mr. Monteverde and the D-L. Anybody whose seen the before and after of the 426 and the 4103/4118 can attest to the fact that the work his shop forces do is primo. The fact that they are working in regular service and earning their keep warms my bean counter heart. I didn't mention the D-L specifically because I think they have done great work at preservation, when in fact they are primarly a for profit enterprise. If they NEVER ge4t another old engine running, they've still done their fair share and then some. I'm sure scarce capital will spent spent on something that in light of 110 grain hoppers and a 1.5% grade will be more useful.

Of course if the purchaser is going to use the old girl, thats ok.

What I am suggesting is that everyday, opportunities slip by. Sometimes, you are dealing with legal issues (Dick Jenson's engine).

Sometimes, its just to big (ala the old LIMA works) or landlocked (one of the forlorn C&O 2700's) or you are dealing with something probanly to far gone (the Roanoke Engines).

Don't take me wrong, everybody has limitations and priorities. Recently, one postersaid Steamtown is not trying to expand the collection. ARHS has severalprojects going on. RRMPA is subject to state funding and the new governor has made it clear (by delaying certain non-rail preservation projects) that preservation isn't among the priorities given the fiscal issues PA and most states face.

I just thought the engine was the kind of thing where a big story could be told from a little engine. Small enough to move "relatively" easy, won't take up to much space and certainly didn't carry to big a price tag.

I thought SOME preservation organization with a DL&W connection might want it. Of course maybe I over estimate its historic value.

So I'm not complaining, just wondering.



http://yardlimit.railfan.net/gallery/mk/index.html
superheater@rrmail.com

I have a flyer put out by RELCO sometime in 1999
listing locomotives they had for sale. They were asking $45,000 for the RE603/DLW 409. RELCO had rebuilt the trucks and equipped it with roller bearings. RELCO had invested quite a bit of money in that unit and wanted to get some of it back, unfortuneate for a museum or group with limited finances.


edraye@yahoo.com

Hi friends,

I agree that someday #409 should be in Scranton or another DL&W town, but I don't think this is the time to freak out. In fact, I think it is a good time to act with a cool head.

Here's why.

First off, no one is going to spend $45K to scrap a 60 year-old switcher.

Secondly, if I remember from my visit to the Port of Indiana last summer, Behr could very well have need for their own switcher. In fact, if you check the link below and go to their Port of Indiana page, you will that it looks like they are advertising that they have their own rail service (see the picture).

So, rather than get worried, it might be a good time for someone *with the means to act on cue* to let Behr know that when they are done with #409 that there is interest in her.

Look at home many engines we have seen "officially" preserved this year that were "tagged" by museums while the locomotives still had years of active revenue service ahead (the last F-unit comes to mind, and there are more).

She's far from a lost cause from my perspective.

Rob


Behr Link
rdavis@rypn.org

> Hi friends,

> I agree that someday #409 should be in
> Scranton or another DL&W town, but I
> don't think this is the time to freak out.
> In fact, I think it is a good time to act
> with a cool head.

Am I freaking out? Geez I hope not.

Anyway, when I saw the thing about the sale I was unaware that Relco rehabbed it w/ rollers or that they wanted 45K per Ed's flyer.

I do know some people who have an interest, but unfortunately are not of "means". Moving the engine from the midwest to NEPA would involve a lot more than 45K unfortunately. Then there's storage and other fun stuff.

I'm glad it appears that its not in immediate danger.

I might place a call or letter to the organization if I can find some interested folks who have the know it all to get arrange storage, transport all that.

Now about that Vulcan near the station in W-B and the LV Sw1 in Tenn.....



superheater@rrmail.com

Hello All

The existence/availability of the DL&W 409 has been somewhat common knowledge for sometime around certain circles I'm occasionally a part of.

Without getting too much into it, and also trying not to sound too cryptic, I'll say that the appropriate people have been notified about the recent purchase of the 409.

I'll say this, 45K is alot for an engine like that, roller bearing or non...

Dave Crosby

bing@epix.net

Dredging up a 17 year old thread, geez...

ex-DLW 409 has been purchased by Genesee Valley Transportation, operators of the Delaware-Lackawanna out of Scranton. This came across my Facebook feed today with a video of 409 still operating:



Facebook post/video link:

https://www.facebook.com/gvtrailco/vide ... 779809789/

While we usually don't seem to put as much stock in private companies as 'preservation' (with a handful of exceptions), it's nice to see one of the DL&W's early diesels returning home to Scranton and joining DLW 426.

Here is the former owner's webpage for this unit: http://www.nilwirailway.com/niwx603.html