Other W&W notes:

Our beloved #98 lived at Strasburg and was even letter Strasburg for a short period of time in the 60's.

PRR gas car #4662 was owned by the trolley museum in Washington but sold or traded to W&W.

NH&I GE centercab #9 was leased by the W&W in the late 70's.

South Branch Valley centercab #34 was also leased in a deal that once brought the WVa state police to Wilmington to look into the deal. Someone in WVa lost the engine and she had to be found. I think she is at Cass now.

William Armagost, who owned N&W 4-8-0 #475 back in the early '60s, proposed leasing the Everett Railroad for steam excursions around 1964. He apparently sold the railroad on the idea of a tourist train, but not on the 475, which passed through several changes of ownership, traveled halfway across the country and back, and finally found a good home at Strasburg.

Alan Maples

In addition to PRR 4662 mentioned here, National Capital Trolley Museum also owned Cleveland Railways 27, recently restored at Seashore. Both pieces were traded or sold to pay moving costs when we moved from Lake Roland to the present site.

Wesley

Lets not forget diesel locomotives either. I know of at least two Alco diesels that were scrapped before any attempts could be made to save them.
1) NH DL-109 was sitting up in New England until 1970 when it was cut up.
2) A very early pre-HH switcher in Texas was cut up around 1975 before it could be saved.

There are several Alcos (including 2 electrics) plus a GE U25B that may get cut up if they are not removed from their present storage area. This has been a ongoing problem because they are landlocked.

On the Steamtown/Adirondack line...

I believe IC 2-8-0 790 was intended for use on the Adirondack, and if I'm not mistaken made it as far as Tupper Lake NY before the plan fell apart and the engine was aquired by F Nelson Blount.

Dave Crosby

P.S. In the early 90's when parts for the DLW 565 were being sought by Steamtown, many were eventually located in NY state, including Rome NY and Thendara, NY.

An excellent response, too. The locomotive is kept in immaculate shape by the folks in Hamburg. While I'd rather the original collection not have been broken up, two things concern me most. 1) The PRR collection is partially stored indoors and partially stored outdoors. The outdoor locomotives include the E6s, which is said to be in marginal condition. I would hate for that to be true and have it remain outdoors. 2) The PRR collection is at this time, destined to never be fired again. I understand this and accept it, although I sincerely would rather the locomotives be photographed and drawn by industrial archaeologists, then returned to service as living history. Certainly a respectful avenue for such operations exists across the road, at least for the smaller locomotives.

People argue that freight locomotives such as the decapod are far too slow for excursion. I understand, and frankly, I think passenger service is not the only way a steam locomotive can show the flag and earn her keep (in part). The Western NY folks want to see her fired again someday, and while it probably won't be in my lifetime, a live I1sa would be a delight to watch in motion once again.

When the day is done, however, we are all lucky to have such devoted people as RMPA and WNYRHS looking over the locomotives. For all they cared, Penn Central could have realized a few thousand dollars from them as scrap, and never asked anyone's input regarding the decision.

The GE centercab #9 leased to the W&W belonged to the Octoraro Ry. It came from the BR&W, but had been actually owned by North Hunterdon (NJ) High School and was used (while on the BR&W) by their vo-tech classes for diesel mechanic trainning.

SBV GE centercab 34 (BTW, both engines were 65-tonners) is indeed at Cass. It had served as shop switcher (re #ed CSRR 21) for many years, but now is out of service.

In regards to Steamtown's IC 2-8-0 790 at Tupper Lake, this would have been at an earlier time. The Adirondack RR from around 1980-81 was a venture between Frank Menair and Sam Freeman. Freeman planned to bring his 4-6-2 148. CNR 2-8-2 3254 was supposed to go there. The 3254 was owned by Willis Barron and had been displayed at his motel in Ashland, Pa. The Gettysburg RR would up buying it instead. DL&W 2-6-0 565 was also considered for the Adirondack RR. They never did get steam and ran (a year or two) with ALCO RS-3's and a RSC-2.

Another gottaway:

The Cass Scenic RR almost got Graham County RR Shay 1925. If fact it was being loaded on a truck for shipment to Cass when it was damaged. Issues concerning the damage had Cass getting out of the deal and the 1925 eventually going to Spencer. While 1925 would have been a fine addition to Cass' roster, it's nice to have this "native NC locomotive" staying in NC.

Regards,
Jim Robinson

#34 accompanied 2839 to Coatesville on Dec. 11, 1982.

Santa Cruz Railway NG 4-4-0 "Jupiter" to the Roaring Camp & Big Trees in the early '60s. Norman Clark couldn't grease enough palms to get it out of Guatemala and, with the purchase of the IRCA by Roy Chalk of D.C., it eventually wound up in the Smithsonian. The railroad's logo, which features its likeness, is a lingering reminder of Clark's original plan.

Also, the 2' Bridgton & Saco River 7, for use on the 'new' Edaville under lease agreement with the Maine Narrow Gauge. Remained in South Carver until 2002, a decade after the Bartholomew outfit bit the dust.

Can we count operations that didn't quite make it?

#2839 floated around Allentown, PA while an effort was underway to launch a tourist line out of downtown Bethlehem on the old LNE (still a GREAT idea in my book, especially at Christmas time).

Rob

Kurt,

Take a good look at this list and see how things have changed.

Four of these were operational or close to it in the past 20 years. None of these ladies are even close to running today, and perhaps only #148 really has a place to run.

If I could wave my magic Wand of Universal Agreement, I might find that:

Wolfeboro RR 2-6-2 No. 250 went back to the WK&S to live happily ever after.

LIRR No. 39 roams the LIRR one weekend a month.

FEC 4-6-2 No. 148 adds to Colorado's steamy vacation spots.

DL&W No. 565 gets all her parts and becomes the model of how to do a static display as she gets a place of honor in Scranton.

B&LE No. 643 to Steamtown. Again.

Southern Ry 2-8-0 No. 385 to Spencer. Duh.

PRR I1 No. 4483 to Steamtown where they run run run her. It would be nice to have a Pennsy locomotive up there, especially since the I1's were in the collection after #565.

In fact, #4483 is the one tht might be the most interesting to me. I would bet there is a way to do it that would keep the engine with her current owners, but find her the benefit of Steamtown's fully equipped shops. The old win-win scenario. I have to believe there are enough SPF's to donate a large sum towards seeing her run again. Who knows, maybe CPR would even let her make a jaunt from Buttonwood down to Sunbury?

Rob

Rob -

Speaking of B&LE # 643, who IS who current owner these days? And what are the plans for the engine (if anything)?

Les

Whoa! LIRR 39 was never near operational. Restoration began but was severely hampered by bad press and lack of forthcoming funds. Don't get the cart ahead of the iron horse here! Her drivers were turned and that was it! Reports that 39 had a successful hydrostatic after years of stuff and mount and then was ready for firing, were severely exaggerated. LIRR 39 is closure to operational restoration today than anytime in the past 50 years, and she is still disassembled.

Incidentally, both G5's, #35 and #39 are disassembled and in the hands of competent preservation groups. Both have had evaluations by boiler certified people. Expect 39 before 35, but expect it sometime before we are all dead.

If I had my "magic wand way", the B&HS/Wolfeboro #250 would be on the W&W operating along side its' former southern shortline sister, MSC 98.

Good engine, well suited for their operations too.