For those of you still following the formerly "Lost Engines of Roanoke" saga, we have some updates on the progress on CW Baldwin #662 on our Facebook page. We had great weather today for the first time in about a month, and made a good start on the sheet metal work.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/roanokenrhs

Next month some of our equipment will be the guest attractions at VMT for "Roanoke Rail Days". We are tentatively planning on offering demonstration rides. They may be with motorcars like last year, or possibly with something larger.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?ei ... 6493976693

Gary:
It sure is great to see the work that has has been done to Chesapeake Western #662 by the Roanoke Chapter of the NRHS !
How much sheet metal needs to be replaced ? What is the condition of the prime mover and generator ? Is there hope it will run again someday ?


A fan of all things Baldwin.

Kevin K.

Kevin, Thanks for the kind words on our work on 662. It is strictly a cosmetic restoration. VMT owns 662, and we are doing the work for them, in trade for ownership of sister 663. Both units have suffered the ravages of 45 years sitting outside the fence of a scrapyard. The electrical systems are pretty well stripped, along with anything that could have been "preserved" in the personal collections of railfan scavengers. The units have been flooded a number of times and have considerably mud damage. It would probably be easier and cheaper to replace the trucks than to repair the traction motors. Condition of the prime movers is uncertain, althought 663 looks to be the better over all mechanically. (although it is the rougher of the two cosmetically). Who knows about her? Once we get a lot of other priorities done and if funding is available, we may get ambitious. We have aquired a fair amount of the the missing "goodies" for both units, but if you have any leads on control stand components it would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

What amazes me is those engines must have had some destined fate that they would sit outside a scrap yard for almost 50 years and not have been cut up with a torch long ago.

I'm very impressed by the progress you guys have made. How's the M coming along?

Slow right now. After the 662 is done, we'll be working on 1118 more, along with our Virginian Ry. caboose. Plus, the GP30 needs painting, the T6 needs some truck work, etc. The work never ends........:)

Gary:
A friend suggests that you contact SMS in NJ. Perhaps they could help you with a Baldwin control stand.
Perhaps you know that both builder's plates survive from the #662 and #663. Some have been shown on the site: " The Baldwin Diesel Zone" A little over a year ago the other pair showed up on Ebay. I bid on them but was outbid. Hopefully, they will end up back on their respective diesels.
Keep up the the GREAT WORK !! Is their a Facebook page for the restoration of these two diesels ??

Kevin K.

Kevin, I plan on contacting SMS when we start back on the cab interior. (after all the welding is done) One of our members supposedly has a contact there. We have the brake stands, we're going to need gauges, switches, and control levers. For 662 broken is OK, as long as they can be made pretty. There's no separate FB page other than our Mechanical Dept. page. We are "Friends" with the pages for some of the equipment that is privately owned by our members. We plan on making replica builder's plates as a finishing touch. Hopefully, we'll stamp the backs with "Stolen from Virginia Museum of Transportation".............:)

That would be a good way to find them IF someone manages to pry one off.

You mean "when".

What's to say it's a matter of waiting? I haven't heard of things being stolen from RMNE or Danbury.

Gary:
Perhaps it would help to start a new topic : Baldwin Diesel parts needed for Chesapeake Western #662 and #663.

I'm certain that what you need is out there. I could help with Baldwin builder's photos and also have the issue of Baldwin magazine that covered these DS 4-4-660's on the Chesapeake Western.
I also have some diesel manuals for Baldwin's, but not for these particular locomotives.

Kevin K.

Everything passed the NS mechanical inspection today for the move over to VMT. The move is scheduled to take place sometime tomorrow. The insurance issues have been worked out, so at this point the train rides next weekend are looking like a "go". 614 should be moving to Clifton Forge sometime tomorrow also.

I can also supply some Baldwin instruction booklets, possibly for that model.

We were back on 662 today following the last couple of weeks working on "Roanoke Rail Day". For those of you following this restoration, some new shots are up on our Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?s ... 5893154749