At Newport News, VA, just after a 1997 restoration. Photographer notes it has since been surrounded by an obtrusive fence and shrubbery. Was this a Steam Operations Corp. project?

http://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?august03/08-31-03/C+O2756NewportNewsVA30Aug97.jpg
ryarger@rypn.org

http://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?august03/08-31-03/C+O2756NewportNewsVA30Aug97b.jpg
ryarger@rypn.org

There is much more to this story. The engine was placed in Newport News and displayed as you see her in the photos. Vandals attacked her and stripped her of everything worth having. The city was so ashamed that they got together with businesses, fire department, police, and even the local jail, to refurbish her and atone for the destruction. Today she is in good shape and surrounded by a thick brick wall. Her cab and tender are protected with thick iron bars to prevent people from getting into it. The only think that looks slightly off is her number plate, which was a copy made of sheet metal. It make the taking of pictures almost impossible but the locmotive is preserved, cared for and honored, as she should be. Possibly a good candidate for rebuild someday in the future.


glueck@maine.edu