Probably just before it was put in the first museum at Roanoke:

http://spec.lib.vt.edu/imagebase/norfol ... s1332.jpeg

In operation:

http://spec.lib.vt.edu/imagebase/norfol ... s1334.jpeg
http://spec.lib.vt.edu/imagebase/norfol ... s1335.jpeg
http://spec.lib.vt.edu/imagebase/norfol ... s1336.jpeg

Weren't there two of these old 0-8-0's assigned to Roanoke? Number 4 and a sister engine (perhaps number 3 or number 5).

Les

The first photo of #4 was taken just prior to it being put on display in Princeton WV. When it was being moved to Roanoke in the early 1960's, the pilot beam was somehow broken. If you look at pictures of #4 today, you will see that it has a freight car draft gear and footboards attached directly to the front of the frame. The Virginian SA 0-8-0's, #'s 2 and 4, were last in service on the Suffolk Switcher, a local job. They were pets of the crews, and were dolled up with extra brass trim and silvered rivets on the smokebox.

Gary:

Thanks for the info. I recalled that there were two low numbered SA class 0-8-0's in service at the end, but couldn't remember the other number. Thanks for advising that the other engine was # 2. One other quick question if I may; what was the TOTAL series originally for these SA's? Or were 2 and 4 the only two?

Les

I'll have to check one of my reference books when I get home.