Branch Line News For 1/17/2020
Welcome back to Branch Line News! Your source for summarized events in the rail word. Whether large, standard gauge locomotives or narrow gauge, and even model railways, all stories are welcome here. This' your Branch Line News for the week of January 17, 2020.
(Writer's Note: To make sources easier to find, I will put them underneath each story separately, please let me know if you like this form or not)
Taffy Tank Reunion
Following up on a story in last week's Branch Line News, we begin once again in the UK at the Swindon & Crickdale Railway. In case you missed last week's Branch Line News, the nonprofit Swindon & Crickdale Railway announced that Great Western Taffy tank No. 6695 will be moved and based at their railway for the foreseeable future, alongside sibling 5619, currently on loan to the S&CR.
Now, a third Taffy Tank is going to be coming, or rather returning, to the S&CR.
Taffy Tank No. 5637, owned and operated by the 5637 Steam Locomotive Group. 5637 was built in the 1930's and worked in Wales. Like her surviving siblings 5619 and 6695, 5637 survived into preservation by being sent to Barry Island, according to the 5637 SLG's website. According to the S&CR's announcement on Facebook, No. 5637 was restored at their railway from 1982-1998.
5637 was purchased from Barry Island scrapyard with funds in the GWR steam loco fund (later renamed to the 5637 Steam Locomotive Group), all the members of the 5637 SLG are shareholders of the engine.
5637 is currently on loan to the East Somerset Railway, but will return to the S&CR in March, to participate in the S&CR's Gala on March 28th and 29th. 5637's boiler ticket expires in April, after which work will begin to bring her back into operation, which is estimated to take until 2022 to complete.
After a 20 year absence, according to Allan Bolt of the S&CR, 5637 will be returning home. This means that enthusiasts can now find three preserved Taffy Tanks on one railway. Even after 5619 leaves, since she is on loan, in the near future, two Taffy Tanks will be seen working side by side, which is sure to please any Great Western Railway fans.
Sources:
"5637 Steam Locomotive Group." Home. https://5637.co.uk
"About Us." 5637 Steam Locomotive Group. https://5637.co.uk/about-us
Swindon & Crickdale Railway. Facebook Post. 10 January, 2020.
www.facebook.com/SwindonAndCrickladeRailway/posts/2976125342406940
Whitewater Valley Railroad Gets New Coach
Our next story takes us the Midwest, in Indiana. The Whitewater Valley Railroad, a nonprofit founded in 1972 which runs between Connersville and Metamora, according to the WVR's website, recently got a new coach.
A post in the Facebook group Ahead of the Torch, a well respected discussion group for preservation (cited in the past by news organizations such as Trains Magazine) revealed that the Whitewater Valley Railroad recently recieved a new coach on January 9th. According to the post, the coach is a former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad coach, built in 1916.
The coach was donated by its former owner, who was not named in the post. The B&O coach was moved to the Whitewater by truck, and was put back on its wheels on site. Plans "down the road," according to the poster, are for the coach to be restored. You can see photos of the move by clicking the link below.
[Writer's Note: I apologize if you have to join the group to see the photos. If you are interested in seeing the photos but do not want to join the group, check out The Occasional Express' Facebook page, where the post will be shared.]
Sources:
Ahead of the Torch. Facebook Post. 9 January, 2020.
www.facebook.com/groups/AOTTORCH/permalink/2495048603957275 (link for photos)
Santa Fe 2926 Steamed & Toolcar Update
While we usually don't cover stories that larger news sources have already covered, we're going to make an exception here.
The New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Historical Society, an organization formed in the 1990's, according to their Facebook about page, to restore Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe No. 2926, a large 4-8-4 steam locomotive built in 1944. 2926 was was put on display in Coronado Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico when withdrawn in 1953
Now, the 2926 has steamed again. The news was announced on Facebook on January 15th, 2020, teasing viewers to stay posted. Afterwards photos of 2926 in steam, including videos, have been released.
You can see 2926 in steam here: www.facebook.com/NMSX2926/videos/1079742499040190
While 2926's restoration is big news for the group, another project by the NMSL&RHS over in Ohio is also making progress. AT&SF 3939, a baggage car donated to the group, is almost ready to roll again. The NMSL&RHS created a GoFundMe fundraiser to raise the money necessary to get 3939 up to Amtrak standards.
According to the Society's website, 3939 was recently placed back onto her rebuilt wheels, known in American terminology as "Trucks." When the restoration is completed, 3939 will assist 2926 on excursions by acting as a tool car, carrying equipment to help repair 2926 on the road, and will have a generator installed to help 2926 start on cold days, according to the Society's website.
As of the time of writing, the GoFundMe fundraiser has raised $133,900 of a $150,000 goal. If you wish to donate towards 3939's restoration, you can find the fundraiser here:
www.gofundme.com/f/santafe2926
If you want to see 2926 in person, the Society has Hard Hat tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7am to 3pm.
Sources:
"About." New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society.
www.facebook.com/NMSX2926/about/?ref=page_internal
New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society. www.nmslrhs.org
New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society. Facebook Post. 15 January, 2020. 2:48 pm.
www.facebook.com/NMSX2926/photos/a.403377094451/10158054528434452/?type=3
New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society. Facebook Post. 15 January, 2020. 9:12 pm.
www.facebook.com/NMSX2926/videos/1079742499040190
"Tool Car for 2926." New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society. GoFundMe.
www.gofundme.com/f/santafe2926
Wabash 534 Restoration Continues
Continuing the theme of restorations, our next story takes us back to Indiana to the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. The FWRHS, owners of the famous Nickel Plate Road 765, are the caretakers of more than one steam locomotive. The second steam engine owned by the FWRHS is the subject of this topic.
Wabash 534, also known as Lake Erie & Fort Wayne No. 1, is a common 0-6-0 switcher, built by the Alco locomotive works in 1906, according to the FWRHS' website. However, 534 is special, she is one of only TWO steam locomotives of Wabash heritage to survive (the rest of the Wabash's giant fleet of steam locomotives were all scrapped).
534 survived rather by accident. Removed from the Wabash's roster in 1952, she was sold to the Wabash subsidiary, the Lake Erie & Fort Wayne, and became their No. 1. No. 534/1 continued in service until 1957 (likely one of the last steam locomotives in the US to work in active service), until even the Lake Erie & Fort Wayne converted to diesels.
Thankfully, 534 was saved and put in Swinney Park. In 1984, the Wabash switcher was donated to the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, who removed the engine from the park. She's now in New Haven, Indiana, protected from the elements.
Work did not begin immediately on 534, but picked up in the 2010's. According to the FWRHS' website, the restoration began on "The One Spot," or "Nancy" as she's affectionately called (the latter chalked onto her cab during her LE&FW days), thanks to the Society's younger volunteers. At present, the restoration work is to make 534 stable and will be mostly cosmetic, likely due to Nancy's frame being cracked, and damage sustained by being dropped by a crane while being put in the park.
However, this' not stopping the Society from making her look good as new again. An update shared in the Facebook group, "Wabash Fan Railroad Group," revealed a sneak peak into the restoration. The restoration has been helped thanks to the Wabash Railroad Historical Society, who shared drawings of Nancy's class that will help with FWRHS' volunteers with Nancy's restoration.
Nancy's tender frame has been "essentially built from the ground up" according to the poster, because of deterioration. More exciting is that an ultrasound test reading was done on Nancy's boiler and firebox! Does this mean that Nancy is being considered for restoration to operation?
Don't get your hopes up. However, it does leave one to wonder. A "Grand Announcement" will be announced in August 2020 at the FWRHS' open house, where they will also kick off a new fundraiser for Nancy.
Want to donate to Nancy before then? You can! Donations can be made to the FWRHS via PayPal at this link: https://fortwaynerailroad.org/donate
If you wish to learn more about the Wabash Railroad
[Writer's Note: Special Thanks for the original poster for permission to share this news. Since there's going to be a Grand Announcement in August, I was worried I'd spoil the surprise. However, any publicity is good publicity, as the old saying goes.]
Sources:
"Follow the Flag. An Update on Project 534." Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society.
https://fortwaynerailroad.org/2013/05/follow-flag-update-project-534/
"Wabash No. 534." Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society.
https://fortwaynerailroad.org/wabash-no-534
Wabash Railroad Fan Group. Facebook Post. 5 January, 2020.
www.facebook.com/groups/500001856805244/permalink/1578267445645341/
Rolling Ingot Operation Dates
Our last story takes us to a narrow gauge topic, as foreshadowed in the introduction for this week's Branch Line News.
The Youngstown Steel Heritage Museum, based on Youngstown, Ohio with the mission of preserving industrial history, have announced the operating dates of their narrow gauge steam locomotive, J&L 58. Dubbed the "Rolling Ingot" because her of industrial heritage and the shape of her saddle tanks, the Rolling Ingot brought a new spotlight to the museum when they completed her restoration last year.
In preparation for 2020, Youngstown Steel Heritage Museum announced the dates you can visit to ride behind No. 58. The operating season will begin on the weekend of June 6th and 7 and will end on October 3rd and 4th, 2020. You can check out the specific dates and see 58 running in the video below.
This concludes this week's Branch Line News. Which story are you the most excited about? Let us know in the comments below.
(Writer's Note: To make sources easier to find, I will put them underneath each story separately, please let me know if you like this form or not)
Taffy Tank Reunion
Following up on a story in last week's Branch Line News, we begin once again in the UK at the Swindon & Crickdale Railway. In case you missed last week's Branch Line News, the nonprofit Swindon & Crickdale Railway announced that Great Western Taffy tank No. 6695 will be moved and based at their railway for the foreseeable future, alongside sibling 5619, currently on loan to the S&CR.
Now, a third Taffy Tank is going to be coming, or rather returning, to the S&CR.
Taffy Tank No. 5637, owned and operated by the 5637 Steam Locomotive Group. 5637 was built in the 1930's and worked in Wales. Like her surviving siblings 5619 and 6695, 5637 survived into preservation by being sent to Barry Island, according to the 5637 SLG's website. According to the S&CR's announcement on Facebook, No. 5637 was restored at their railway from 1982-1998.
5637 was purchased from Barry Island scrapyard with funds in the GWR steam loco fund (later renamed to the 5637 Steam Locomotive Group), all the members of the 5637 SLG are shareholders of the engine.
5637 is currently on loan to the East Somerset Railway, but will return to the S&CR in March, to participate in the S&CR's Gala on March 28th and 29th. 5637's boiler ticket expires in April, after which work will begin to bring her back into operation, which is estimated to take until 2022 to complete.
After a 20 year absence, according to Allan Bolt of the S&CR, 5637 will be returning home. This means that enthusiasts can now find three preserved Taffy Tanks on one railway. Even after 5619 leaves, since she is on loan, in the near future, two Taffy Tanks will be seen working side by side, which is sure to please any Great Western Railway fans.
Sources:
"5637 Steam Locomotive Group." Home. https://5637.co.uk
"About Us." 5637 Steam Locomotive Group. https://5637.co.uk/about-us
Swindon & Crickdale Railway. Facebook Post. 10 January, 2020.
www.facebook.com/SwindonAndCrickladeRailway/posts/2976125342406940
Whitewater Valley Railroad Gets New Coach
Our next story takes us the Midwest, in Indiana. The Whitewater Valley Railroad, a nonprofit founded in 1972 which runs between Connersville and Metamora, according to the WVR's website, recently got a new coach.
A post in the Facebook group Ahead of the Torch, a well respected discussion group for preservation (cited in the past by news organizations such as Trains Magazine) revealed that the Whitewater Valley Railroad recently recieved a new coach on January 9th. According to the post, the coach is a former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad coach, built in 1916.
The coach was donated by its former owner, who was not named in the post. The B&O coach was moved to the Whitewater by truck, and was put back on its wheels on site. Plans "down the road," according to the poster, are for the coach to be restored. You can see photos of the move by clicking the link below.
[Writer's Note: I apologize if you have to join the group to see the photos. If you are interested in seeing the photos but do not want to join the group, check out The Occasional Express' Facebook page, where the post will be shared.]
Sources:
Ahead of the Torch. Facebook Post. 9 January, 2020.
www.facebook.com/groups/AOTTORCH/permalink/2495048603957275 (link for photos)
Santa Fe 2926 Steamed & Toolcar Update
While we usually don't cover stories that larger news sources have already covered, we're going to make an exception here.
The New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Historical Society, an organization formed in the 1990's, according to their Facebook about page, to restore Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe No. 2926, a large 4-8-4 steam locomotive built in 1944. 2926 was was put on display in Coronado Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico when withdrawn in 1953
Now, the 2926 has steamed again. The news was announced on Facebook on January 15th, 2020, teasing viewers to stay posted. Afterwards photos of 2926 in steam, including videos, have been released.
You can see 2926 in steam here: www.facebook.com/NMSX2926/videos/1079742499040190
While 2926's restoration is big news for the group, another project by the NMSL&RHS over in Ohio is also making progress. AT&SF 3939, a baggage car donated to the group, is almost ready to roll again. The NMSL&RHS created a GoFundMe fundraiser to raise the money necessary to get 3939 up to Amtrak standards.
According to the Society's website, 3939 was recently placed back onto her rebuilt wheels, known in American terminology as "Trucks." When the restoration is completed, 3939 will assist 2926 on excursions by acting as a tool car, carrying equipment to help repair 2926 on the road, and will have a generator installed to help 2926 start on cold days, according to the Society's website.
As of the time of writing, the GoFundMe fundraiser has raised $133,900 of a $150,000 goal. If you wish to donate towards 3939's restoration, you can find the fundraiser here:
www.gofundme.com/f/santafe2926
If you want to see 2926 in person, the Society has Hard Hat tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7am to 3pm.
Sources:
"About." New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society.
www.facebook.com/NMSX2926/about/?ref=page_internal
New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society. www.nmslrhs.org
New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society. Facebook Post. 15 January, 2020. 2:48 pm.
www.facebook.com/NMSX2926/photos/a.403377094451/10158054528434452/?type=3
New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society. Facebook Post. 15 January, 2020. 9:12 pm.
www.facebook.com/NMSX2926/videos/1079742499040190
"Tool Car for 2926." New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society. GoFundMe.
www.gofundme.com/f/santafe2926
Wabash 534 Restoration Continues
Continuing the theme of restorations, our next story takes us back to Indiana to the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. The FWRHS, owners of the famous Nickel Plate Road 765, are the caretakers of more than one steam locomotive. The second steam engine owned by the FWRHS is the subject of this topic.
Wabash 534, also known as Lake Erie & Fort Wayne No. 1, is a common 0-6-0 switcher, built by the Alco locomotive works in 1906, according to the FWRHS' website. However, 534 is special, she is one of only TWO steam locomotives of Wabash heritage to survive (the rest of the Wabash's giant fleet of steam locomotives were all scrapped).
534 survived rather by accident. Removed from the Wabash's roster in 1952, she was sold to the Wabash subsidiary, the Lake Erie & Fort Wayne, and became their No. 1. No. 534/1 continued in service until 1957 (likely one of the last steam locomotives in the US to work in active service), until even the Lake Erie & Fort Wayne converted to diesels.
Thankfully, 534 was saved and put in Swinney Park. In 1984, the Wabash switcher was donated to the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, who removed the engine from the park. She's now in New Haven, Indiana, protected from the elements.
Work did not begin immediately on 534, but picked up in the 2010's. According to the FWRHS' website, the restoration began on "The One Spot," or "Nancy" as she's affectionately called (the latter chalked onto her cab during her LE&FW days), thanks to the Society's younger volunteers. At present, the restoration work is to make 534 stable and will be mostly cosmetic, likely due to Nancy's frame being cracked, and damage sustained by being dropped by a crane while being put in the park.
However, this' not stopping the Society from making her look good as new again. An update shared in the Facebook group, "Wabash Fan Railroad Group," revealed a sneak peak into the restoration. The restoration has been helped thanks to the Wabash Railroad Historical Society, who shared drawings of Nancy's class that will help with FWRHS' volunteers with Nancy's restoration.
Nancy's tender frame has been "essentially built from the ground up" according to the poster, because of deterioration. More exciting is that an ultrasound test reading was done on Nancy's boiler and firebox! Does this mean that Nancy is being considered for restoration to operation?
Don't get your hopes up. However, it does leave one to wonder. A "Grand Announcement" will be announced in August 2020 at the FWRHS' open house, where they will also kick off a new fundraiser for Nancy.
Want to donate to Nancy before then? You can! Donations can be made to the FWRHS via PayPal at this link: https://fortwaynerailroad.org/donate
If you wish to learn more about the Wabash Railroad
[Writer's Note: Special Thanks for the original poster for permission to share this news. Since there's going to be a Grand Announcement in August, I was worried I'd spoil the surprise. However, any publicity is good publicity, as the old saying goes.]
Sources:
"Follow the Flag. An Update on Project 534." Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society.
https://fortwaynerailroad.org/2013/05/follow-flag-update-project-534/
"Wabash No. 534." Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society.
https://fortwaynerailroad.org/wabash-no-534
Wabash Railroad Fan Group. Facebook Post. 5 January, 2020.
www.facebook.com/groups/500001856805244/permalink/1578267445645341/
Rolling Ingot Operation Dates
Our last story takes us to a narrow gauge topic, as foreshadowed in the introduction for this week's Branch Line News.
The Youngstown Steel Heritage Museum, based on Youngstown, Ohio with the mission of preserving industrial history, have announced the operating dates of their narrow gauge steam locomotive, J&L 58. Dubbed the "Rolling Ingot" because her of industrial heritage and the shape of her saddle tanks, the Rolling Ingot brought a new spotlight to the museum when they completed her restoration last year.
In preparation for 2020, Youngstown Steel Heritage Museum announced the dates you can visit to ride behind No. 58. The operating season will begin on the weekend of June 6th and 7 and will end on October 3rd and 4th, 2020. You can check out the specific dates and see 58 running in the video below.
To learn more about Youngstown Steel, you can visit their website here: www.todengine.org
This concludes this week's Branch Line News. Which story are you the most excited about? Let us know in the comments below.
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