"Lost Engines of Roanoke" Finally Saved?

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:13 pm

Clipped from Trains Newswire at Trains.com and edited; search the RyPN Interchange archives for previous discussions:

Quote:

ROANOKE, Va. - Three Norfolk & Western steam locomotives will be removed from a Roanoke scrapyard for restoration after more than a half-century of rusting in their places. The Virginia Museum of Transportation, the Railroad Museum of Virginia, and North Fork Lumber Co. will each get one of the engines.

As part of the agreement, VMT will get N&W M2c Class 1151, the Railroad Museum of Virginia will get Class M2 No. 1134, and Will Harris/North Fork will get M2 No. 1118.

In addition to the steamers, two Chesapeake Western Baldwin diesels will be saved. VMT will restore one and use the other for parts and scrap. The two railroad museums will each get one N&W steam locomotive tender from the deal, while North Fork Lumber will add an N&W maintenance-of-way-service flatcar.

"We are excited to be taking action on the lost engines and to be able to put together such a wonderful coalition of partners to make it happen," said Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr., VMT's executive director. "The lot engines will be saved, but it will take additional funding and support from the community to restore these pieces and put them on display."

All equipment is to be moved by Sept. 30.

(emphasis mine)

As I'm reading this, they've agreed in principle to divide up the locos, BUT there's still no firm timetable or plans for their relocation or removal. Or are there?

John D · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 2:28 pm **Posts:** 486

OK, I've tried Google, but no joy...where/what is the "Railroad Museum of Virginia"?

HOD Bill · **Posted:** Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:15 pm

Virginia Museum of Trainsportation NOT Virgnia Railroad Museum
Located in Roanoke...
Link to their website

http://www.vmt.org/

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:24 pm

HOD Bill wrote:

Virginia Museum of Trainsportation NOT Virgnia Railroad Museum
Located in Roanoke...
Link to their website

http://www.vmt.org/

Ummmmm.......... probably not. Let me point out from the original post/news:

Quote:

The Virginia Museum of Transportation, the Railroad Museum of Virginia, and North Fork Lumber Co. will each get one of the engines.

As part of the agreement, VMT will get N&W M2c Class 1151, the Railroad Museum of Virginia will get Class M2 No. 1134, and Will Harris/North Fork will get M2 No. 1118.

So........ two different places, it's at least implied.........

Gary Gray · **Posted:** Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:53 pm

John D wrote:

OK, I've tried Google, but no joy...where/what is the "Railroad Museum of Virginia"?

Portsmouth Va. I believe it is also known as the "Portsmouth Railroad Museum".

John D · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 2:28 pm **Posts:** 486

Haven't found much more on the "Railroad Museum of Virginia", but for those who enjoy coincidences with numbers, per this website:
http://www.your757.com/org/detail/36669/at_a_glance

The street address is 611[b][/b] Nansemond Street, Portsmouth VA (i.e. N&W J-class 611 is the coincidence).

Another article:
http://hamptonroads.com/2007/12/it%E2%8 ... uld.-maybe.

Existing collection said to include 2 mail cars (ex-N&W), a diner (ex-Wabash), and a caboose (ex-NS), located at the nTellos Pavillion.

survivingworldsteam · **Posted:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 5:35 pm

I wonder what the future holds for the N&W steam crane at the other location. Hopefully, it will find a home as well.

Burlington John · **Posted:** Fri Jul 17, 2009 11:30 pm

Alexander D. Mitchell IV wrote:

Clipped from Trains Newswire at Trains.com and edited; search the RyPN Interchange archives for previous discussions:

Quote:

ROANOKE, Va. - Three Norfolk & Western steam locomotives will be removed from a Roanoke scrapyard for restoration ...

I assume they mean cosmetic restoration ...

Regards,
Burlington John

Gary Gray · **Posted:** Sat Jul 18, 2009 12:28 am

Burlington John wrote:

I assume they mean cosmetic restoration ...

Regards,
Burlington John

As someone who is rather familiar with the "Lost Engines" (I live 1 mile from the scrapyard) I can assure you that cosmetic restoration is the only feasible option unless you have a huge amount of money and are willing to live up to a quote from W. J. Purdie from about 30 years ago....."you jack up the bell and build a new engine under it". The "Lost Engines" have been well plucked of parts over the years, so the first step would be finding a suitable bell. These locomotives were retired in 1950, long before dieselization on the N&W, because they were worn out and made surplus by the S1 0-8-0s.

tomgears · **Posted:** Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:33 am

Another bit of news on these old girls.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/l ... 07/280964/