Visited the Prairie Dog Central in summer of 2016.

What's the latest on the two ex-Virginia Central locomotives ?

No one around the museum was talking as to their final destination, and rumours abound.

O.S.

I thought that WAS their final destination. Ugh - I could think of a bunch of places down here that would love one of those engines...

I too thought Winnipeg was their final home, but the limited official information from the Prairie Dog Central says that is not so.

The persistent rumours are that a successful businessman purchased them for a new tourist operation, and that details would follow.

But so far the "details" have been sparse.

The engines look a bit rough, but that's just surface. These are a pair of very fine loco's.

Lending credence to them just being temporarily stored is the fact that the PDC has this very historic, perfectly matched set of 1882 loco and hundred year old consist.

These two Pacific's would seem far beyond the needs of the PDC.

Although BC has a couple of possibilities...Alberta seems a more likely destination..

Or was...until the Western economy tanked.

Can anyone provide us with an update..?

A bit more digging turned up this shot of Rutland 82...before it became Virginia Central 1286.

What a fine looking loco.

( I believe this is correct use of an internet photo as it gives proper credit and is for research....not profit. ).

Will not repeat gossip, but.... if they are for sale...
as bigjim4life says...there's lot's of good homes waiting.

Hold on just a moment. Neither 1238 nor 1286 was ever owned by Steantown. They were purchased directly from the Canadian Pacific by George M. Hart in late 1964 or early 1965. Subsequently they were sold to Historic Red Clay Valley and then to the Virginia Central before returning to Canada. Steamtown did own three other ex-CP G-5's: 1246, 1278 and 1293, but all three were sold by Steamtown some years ago. 1278 is now at the Ohio Central, along with 1293, while 1246 is at the Naugatuck RR in Connecticut, I believe.

"Rutland 82" was CPR 1246. It was owned by Blount's Green Mountain Railway Corp and was sold by GMRC to Steamtown Foundation in 1972. The photo of 82 was taken from the "viewing hill" behind the Steamtown yard, the day after a doubleheader round trip from Bellows Falls to Rutland, late December 1973 (with 82 leading "D&H 653"). The wood replica Rutland number plate had already been removed from under 82's headlight.

The other engine, partially visible, is CPR 1278, masquerading as "D&H 653", done up as such for the April 1973 D&H Sesquicentennial trips (along with RDG 2102 as "D&H 302").

It's not easily apparent in this photo, but 82's lead wheelset is on the ground.

This was a good spot to see what was going on at Riverside/Steamtown, without running afoul of Bob Barbera and his minions.

Howard P.

Actually, Historic Red Clay Valley, Inc. did not own the Pacifics. They were sold to Red Clay Valley Railway Equipment & Leasing, which was a completely separate company. The similar names have been causing confusion for 50 years now (as several people pointed out would happen when RCVRE&L was formed)

Tim Cronin

Back in 1973, my wife and I were expecting our first child. We made a dry run ahead of time to the old General Hospital in Wilmington, DE so I would know exactly how to get to it when the time came. As it happened, I noticed what appeared to be a steam engine parked in an industrial area near the Christina River. I happened to have an old Argus 35MM with B&W film in it that I kept in our car for such an event. The area where this locomotive was parked has been redeveloped and I think is now part of the Blue Rocks baseball stadium complex (a Class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals). It was quite overcast and not a great shot--but I don't think too many photos were taken in this paint scheme.

Back in May 1969 I road behind these two locos on a Golden Spike Centennial excursion from Baltimore to Harrisburg, PA and back. Good times!

Thank's for all your input.

After reading various posts...maybe it's not 1286....at Prairie Dog Central.

The 1238 was well marked....but, as you can see...this other engine had no markings at all.

Used the internet for some research.

What came up was 1286.

Perhaps not...said some of our forum members...it's 1246.

Was going to go with that until by chance a better quality scan brought up this faint number under the cab window.

Is it fair to say..."1286"

Wonder why this number was painted-out ...but 1238 was left untouched..?

Hi
Here is same shot by WVNorthern I just added a little bit of light to it.Pat

They are 1238 and 1286. In my train chasing days, 1286 always ran in front, and I don't know why. At that time, she wore a feedwater heater on her brow. Kind of sorry to see it removed.

1201 Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa, under cover.
1238 Moved to Canada
1246 Naugatuck Railroad, Connecticut, slated for restoration, someday.
1278 Age of Steam Museum, possible rebuild candidate, but a huge investment.
1293 Age of Steam Museum, operable and waiting for exercise.

I'm confused. Are we talking about which engines these are? Or what their current disposition is and future plans are? I thought it was the latter, but maybe I'm wrong...

I believe the confusion came from Old Smokey's original post showing "Rutland 82" and stating that that locomotive was 1286. As Howard correctly pointed out, "Rutland 82" was actually 1246 at Steamtown. But the two Virginia Central locomotives, now in Canada, are indeed 1238 and 1286. 1246 was never owned by Virginia Central and neither 1238 or 1286 was ever owned by Steamtown.

Actually this goes back to question of where are they going to.