West Chester RR to donate B&O Alco S2 to Martinsburg, WV

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Tue Mar 16, 2021 11:57 pm

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MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The Berkeley County Roundhouse Authority has been given a former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Alco S-2 switcher for display and interpretation at the former B&O roundhouse in Martinsburg. The non-profit authority is seeking funds to transport the locomotive from West Chester, Pa., to Martinsburg.

Due to several factors, the locomotive must be moved by road rather than on its own wheels, estimated to cost about $70,000. Built by the American Locomotive Co. in 1949 as B&O No. 9115, the roundhouse group hopes to return it to its as-built appearance following its arrival.

The Martinsburg shops complex includes the roundhouse, one of the last fully-enclosed roundhouses in existence, as well as the adjacent bridge and machine shop, frog and switch shop and blacksmith shop. The complex, built between 1866 and 1872 to replace facilities destroyed during the Civil War, included a second enclosed roundhouse, which sadly burned in 1990.

Contributions may be sent to the Berkeley County Roundhouse Authority, c/o Jeff Hollis, 56 Corning Way, Martinbsurg, WV 25405.

If I have the loco's history right (dang, I miss having Barry Hollingsworth's loco notes handy!):

Built as C&O 5025 in Oct. 1949 c/n 77165
Later B&O 9115
Sold to Naporano Iron & Metal in 1970s, re-sold to Luntz Iron & Steel
Resold 1977 to Rohm & Haas, Phila. industry, 1977
Purchased by Wilmington & Western ca. 1983
Traded by W&W to West Chester RR 1996 for an SW600(?)

Oct. 2019 photos by Harry Warren via Railpictures.net

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mcgrath618 · **Joined:** Mon Feb 15, 2021 6:54 pm **Posts:** 230

Each day, as a return to West Chester looms ever closer from SEPTA, I wonder what will happen to this railroad. Glad to see they donated this piece, though.

thehnw1223 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 17, 2021 10:35 pm

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Traded by W&W to West Chester RR 1996 for an SW600(?)

Old number 3 was traded for ex. Lehigh Valley Railroad EMC SW-1 no. 114 which still operates on the W&W today. Also, I believe 3 was briefly used by the Delaware Valley Railway in Kennett Square, PA before it was purchased by WCRL.

Its good to see 3 finally has a place to go. I think WCRL used her for about 2 years before placing her in storage. See her every time I walk around West Chester.

Also, thank you for using my photo!

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Thu Mar 18, 2021 9:16 pm

thehnw1223 wrote:

Quote:

Traded by W&W to West Chester RR 1996 for an SW600(?)

Old number 3 was traded for ex. Lehigh Valley Railroad EMC SW-1 no. 114 which still operates on the W&W today. Also, I believe 3 was briefly used by the Delaware Valley Railway in Kennett Square, PA before it was purchased by WCRL.

Beware, Octararo (DV predecessor) had an ex-B&O Alco switcher #3, now at the B&O Railroad Museum in the "to be attended to" sidings. Not the same #3.

WVNorthern · **Posted:** Fri Mar 19, 2021 2:53 pm

mcgrath618 wrote:

Each day, as a return to West Chester looms ever closer from SEPTA, I wonder what will happen to this railroad. Glad to see they donated this piece, though.

I think I remember reading somewhere that portions of the catenary were stolen and that SEPTA removed the rest to prevent further theft since no electrified trains were running that route.

thehnw1223 · **Posted:** Fri Mar 19, 2021 3:35 pm

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Beware, Octararo (DV predecessor) had an ex-B&O Alco switcher #3, now at the B&O Railroad Museum in the "to be attended to" sidings. Not the same #3.

I am well aware. I've seen Octoraro 3 down at the B&O museum. Below is a photo the other 3 in 1994 post W&W when it worked for the Delaware Valley for a short period before being traded for SW-1 no. 114.

Photo Credit: Ralph Bonnano, RRPictureArchives.net
Location: Kennett Square, PA (Noznesky Spur)

junior · **Posted:** Thu Mar 25, 2021 9:01 pm

thehnw1223 wrote:

Quote:

Beware, Octararo (DV predecessor) had an ex-B&O Alco switcher #3, now at the B&O Railroad Museum in the "to be attended to" sidings. Not the same #3.

I am well aware. I've seen Octoraro 3 down at the B&O museum. Below is a photo the other 3 in 1994 post W&W when it worked for the Delaware Valley for a short period before being traded for SW-1 no. 114.

Photo Credit: Ralph Bonnano, RRPictureArchives.net
Location: Kennett Square, PA (Noznesky Spur)

By the time of this Photo,, the trade for SW-1 #114 had already been completed and #3 was no longer owned by the W&W.