They have a Russian decapod at Spencer Shops - Seaboard Air Line #544. It was built to 5' gauge and it has extra wide tires to run on U.S. rails.

http://www.nctrans.org/exhibits/rail_equipment.php

BTW, when I visited there in the early 90's I told them I was an NRHS member and rail fan from Washington DC, and they gave me and my friend a cab ride in their Southern FP-7 #6133

http://www.nctrans.org/exhibits/rail_equipment1.php

Quote from: J3a-614 on April 28, 2010, 09:01:41 PM
That was Jack and Sally Showalter, and for a while they ran the Western Maryland Scenic as contractors, using the name Allegheny Central Railroad ...

Quote from: ebtnut on April 29, 2010, 10:48:04 AM
For a brief time in the late 1970's or so, these little CP G-5's were the largest single class of operational steam locomotives in North America ...

Thank you gentlemen, for the information.

Robert

I was riding an excursion train (believe it was the Middletown & Hummelstown) and we saw trolley car bodies used as riverside vacation homes. A knowledgeable person on the train said they were Johnstown Pennsylvania cars.

Regarding the WM Scenic shop. I'm trying to remember if that shop was earlier where a gentleman and his daughter maintained two steamers they owned during the 70's - 80's. I can't remember their name or the loco types but that the engines were leased to other railroads for excursions.

I remember one of the engines pulling a Southern RWY excursion round trip between Alexandria and Lynchburg VA on the Southern main line. The Southern's excursion engine 4501 had been disabled and the railroad had restored the magnificent C&O Kanawa 2-8-4 2716 and planned to use it for years to come. (This was pre 1218 and 611). However after one of its first trips it was announced that 2716 would not lead any more excursions due to some serious damage that had happened on a trip. I was on that train and the loco ran just fine and did not reveal the hidden damage until a post trip inspection. I loved that engine and it was a real blow to hear of its loss.

Then the Southern arranged to lease one of the two Cumberland engines to cover the rest of the season's trips. The owner specified in the lease conditions under which his loco would be run including a limit on top speed. I was on the first run of that engine as well, on the Southern main to Lynchburg. Graham Claytor was at the throttle. I heard from someone who was in the cab that Claytor believed that the engine was in such good condition that it could run well above the speed limit specified in the lease. Way down the line he said something to the effect that "Let's see what this engine can do. Won't do any harm and how could the owner know?" Well the owner did know because he had agents all along the route to observe the operation of his engine. Using stopwatches they had timed the train and determined that it had been run at higher speed than the lease allowed. When the excursion arrived back at Alexandria, the engine's owner was waiting and exercised his rights under the lease terms to take back the engine from the Southern. The rest of the season's excursions operated behind a beautiful set of Virginia Green and White Southern F's. Disappointed some but also delighted first generation diesel lovers as well.

Robert

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?10,907178

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=252064&nseq=2

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=176215&nseq=4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGU2bXEQeDc

Quote from: jettrainfan on April 24, 2010, 03:51:01 PM
... So this is the second 1, The B&O Museum/Roundhouse steam operations. HOPE YOU LIKE IT!

That's really interesting. It is the first time I've seen the new restoration facility too. Last time I was there was before the roof collapse in 2003. There was an old building there which I see is almost torn down and that grassy area was a small yard. The old timers called the area "Russia" supposedly because it was so far away from the roundhouse.

The Mason looks real good in its movie star green paint and that's a fine fat tank engine. Too bad they put closed window coaches behind the steamer but I guess that's what they have there and there may be insurance liability issues. It's nice to see the ex-Pennsy MARC coaches though. I see you have 130+ videos - lots more to check out

Robert

Great videos. Thanks for posting. Looking forward to more

Robert

February 1963, I haven't quite gotten over it yet It's a sore subject.

Robert

Quote from: Guilford Guy on April 16, 2010, 08:01:16 PM
... Still, it's cool that the country is finally showing an increased interest in supporting rail travel.

I'm sure that Europe is thankful for their excellent train systems, now that all airline travel has been shut down because of the Iceland volcano

Robert

That's my workhorse lubricant. It's non-conductive. Great for motor bearings and axles.

Robert

Thanks for the tip. I know that sites do not like to have images linked to as it costs them bandwidth. And Bachmann is gracious to let us post links to other suppliers here when it is appropriate as I hope this one is. We'll see.

Robert

Quote from: J3a-614 on April 13, 2010, 09:20:46 PM
Ah, Pipefitter likes early EMDs; he'll appreciate this photo link to shots on the Potomac Eagle tourist train that runs on the South Branch Valley...

Yes he does I guess that's because I saw when I was growing up near the B&O. Steam had left the scene so recently that there were still echos and artifacts left behind. I saw F's, Geep's and passenger trains equipped with triple headed E's to get them over the Alleghenies. And there were "honorary" EMD's my Dad called the "Budd Cars." I like ALCO's too, they sound great.

I rode the pre-steam WM Scenic with magnificent FPA4 and RS3 locos in "Fireball" paint and the next day on the Potomac Eagle with their geep in the beautiful MoPac inspired scheme. The Cumberland Holiday Inn had a great weekend package deal.

Robert

Here's the BLI Blueline Class A. With the 1218 back in stock The first run of these models sold out. I had to buy one to go with my Bachmann N&W 611 because I rode many steam excursions behind both of these engines.

http://www.broadway-limited.com/bluelinenandwclassa-2.aspx

Robert

Here's a nice vid from her NS excursion days

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ijmkNd-BPU

Quote from: RLS on April 12, 2010, 09:12:38 PM
611 was yellow from all the pollen

Yes, just like my formerly red car last week which had sat in the driveway for several days. Of course my car was not shaking all the trees from here to Lynchburg like the 611 had done. (As usual at the beginning of the trip in Alexandria, 611 was clean and shiney)

I would not suggest you weather your loco this way though

Robert

A little OT, but I remember one of the fan trips behind the N&W 611 from Alexandria to Lynchburg Virginia and back, about this time of year. Heavy pollen was in the air and as the Northern sped down the Southern RWY main line the stack exhaust was blasting small branches off the trees that were heavy with new growth and hung low over the tracks. (I always got a good spot at one of the baggage car doors). By the time she got to Lynchburg, she was yellow!

Robert