Kanawha

[jpetersjr]

Someone working on a 2,6,6,6 Alleghency, I have some cab interior photo's.

2,6,6,6 Alleghency cab 2.jpg

[JackD]

CHRIS,

Picky-picky-picky! So I got my sims mixed up! *don-know!* Wish that was all I forgot. Please don't tell Rick - he's too nice a guy to insult.

Luckily, before she left this A.M. my wife remembered to remind me today is my birthday. Now I have to remember which one. Old age is not for cowards!

JackD

[arizonachris]

CHRIS,

Picky-picky-picky! So I got my sims mixed up! *don-know!* Wish that was all I forgot. Please don't tell Rick - he's too nice a guy to insult.

Luckily, before she left this A.M. my wife remembered to remind me today is my birthday. Now I have to remember which one. Old age is not for cowards!

JackD

We're not getting old, Jack, we're gaining more experience. So it's one more year of experience for you. Happy Birthday anyways.

[mikeg1250]

Great news!!! Even if this model isn't exactly correct for a real C&O "Big Mike," it is dead on for the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society's "2765." In the summer and fall of 1993, the FWRHS renumbered and cosmetically altered Nickel Plate 765 into C&O 2765 for a series of excursions on the CSX. Although some major modification just weren't possible (repositioning of the sand and steam domes and change the pilot for example) the group did lower the headlight, add the oval number plate, and modify the air pump shields on the head end....exactly as Rick has modified his Nickel Plate Berk!

"C&O 2765" on the CSX (former B&O) at "OA" in New Castle, PA in 1993 http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=326249&nseq=3
"C&O 2765" on the former C&O at St. Albans, WV on the point of The New River Train. http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=67273&nseq=39
"C&O 2765" on the point of The New River Train east of Charleston, WV http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=122932&nseq=27

[johnmckenzie]

That is beautiful! Thank you very much for all the hard work!

[lornyk5]

What can I say wow, thanks a bunch from me too!

Well done,

Lorin

[Toripony]

Great news!!! Even if this model isn't exactly correct for a real C&O "Big Mike," it is dead on for the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society's "2765." In the summer and fall of 1993, the FWRHS renumbered and cosmetically altered Nickel Plate 765 into C&O 2765 for a series of excursions on the CSX. Although some major modification just weren't possible (repositioning of the sand and steam domes and change the pilot for example) the group did lower the headlight, add the oval number plate, and modify the air pump shields on the head end....exactly as Rick has modified his Nickel Plate Berk!

How cool is that!! That is really cool that they did that. I do however see one glaring Berkshire mark and that's the silver front section. I like the blackened look of the genuine Kanawha better. I would like to have something similar done to the Challenger to make it into a Western Maryland Class M-2. http://steamlocomotive.com/challenger/?page=wm

I am also pestering Rick about something else like this.

Tori

[mikeg1250]

I do however see one glaring Berkshire mark and that's the silver front section. I like the blackened look of the genuine Kanawha better. Tori

If you are refering to the the front section of the boiler (the smoke box) that is due to the fact that the C&O had boiler jacketing all the way to the front of the locomotive. The NKP did not jacket the smoke box and instead used graphite. You'll notice in your pictures of 2716, the face of the smoke box is painted graphite, but not the entire smoke box.

However, as delivered from Lima, the whole boiler was black http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=349958&nseq=8

As for te Western Maryland Challanger.....you can count me in on that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[thecanadianrail]

so, when is the loco going to be released so i can have fun?

woulden't mind seeing a Berk in CN black with red logo on the tender.......in time......maby i can get mike to try a steamer repaint?

[Toripony]

I will release it with a scenario for the new beta 4 Alleghany route which I am hoping to get out in the next week or so. Any suggestions on what stock to include in the scenario? I don't have many payware models to work with. I have yet to really look but I think that what I have mostly for that era is box cars and maybe some flats. Although, now that I think about it, back then those were the 2 most common cars on this line besides coal cars.

Seems like I downloaded some new old parlor cars the other day... I need to check those out.

Tori

[arizonachris]

Looks to me that Michael (Great Northener) has just releases a new set of free boxcars! You already said there wasn't much passenger traffic on this route, so seems like it should be freight. Could throw some wood chip cars maybe?

You are the expert on what is hauled on that line, Tory. Looking forward to whatever comes up next!

[Toripony]

Looks to me that Michael (Great Northener) has just releases a new set of free boxcars! You already said there wasn't much passenger traffic on this route, so seems like it should be freight. Could throw some wood chip cars maybe?

True, there is very little passenger traffic ended here today with the Amtrak Cardinal making every other day stops at WSS and Alderson. It dwindled down to nothing in the 50's-60's, but any time before that, this was always a passenger route. One of the C&O's most deadly wrecks (in 1872 killing 23) happened here before the track was even finished! The George Washington and FFV were two of the biggest named trains. Going back to the 20's-40's there were at different times 6 to 8 passenger trains a day stopping here. The current Ronceverte train station opened in 1902 with 65,000 travelers passing through its doors the first year (today our county population is less than 35,000) During WWII, the route was reportedly jammed with trains full of soldiers (and military freight) headed to Norfolk. There are at least two old "Railway Traveler" songs written about Ronceverte and the busy passenger station. I'm not supposed to say anything but there is something being worked on to bring this aspect of the route to life.
And, in case you haven't heard, we might have passengers traveling here again (besides on the Cardinal), thanks to a very deep-pocketed wealthy investor who is restoring the Greenbrier to all its former glory.... http://alleghany.weebly.com/co-614.html

Ronceverte_WV_Depot_-_Street_View-(public-use)small.jpg

[dejoh]

Here's another shot of the station from the low clearance bridge. Note the coaling tower on the right.
Been running this route alot lately.
Thank you very much.

[Chessie8638]

Nice shots. Can't wait for Beta 4.


Also not to be a downer, but the use of #614 on the "Greenbrier Express" is just a hope and a dream...
"For well known reasons the Greenbrier Express operation will be an all diesel experience powered by a fleet of 3 C39-8 locomotives. 2 will be on the train with the 3rd. being in cycle maintenance." -Ross Rowland (The man who owns #614 and started the Greenbrier Express idea rolling). In fact it's sitting in Roanoke, VA waiting for NS to move it to Clifton Forge for static display (The move set for May 10th).
Also it's no longer to Washington DC:
"The new offerings may eventually include running a $15 million train, the Greenbrier Express, between White Sulphur Springs and Lexington (Keeneland), Greenbrier owner Jim Justice said Wednesday."

[Toripony]

Nice shots. Can't wait for Beta 4.


Also not to be a downer, but the use of #614 on the "Greenbrier Express" is just a hope and a dream...
"For well known reasons the Greenbrier Express operation will be an all diesel experience powered by a fleet of 3 C39-8 locomotives. 2 will be on the train with the 3rd. being in cycle maintenance." -Ross Rowland (The man who owns #614 and started the Greenbrier Express idea rolling). In fact it's sitting in Roanoke, VA waiting for NS to move it to Clifton Forge for static display (The move set for May 10th).
Also it's no longer to Washington DC:
"The new offerings may eventually include running a $15 million train, the Greenbrier Express, between White Sulphur Springs and Lexington (Keeneland), Greenbrier owner Jim Justice said Wednesday."

No doubt! I would say it were just purely a dream were it not for some of the contracts and work that have already begun. Never thought for a minute that these two guys would get to run the 614 (or either of two other steamers they are rumoured to have purchased) on the Alleghany mainline, but I bet I do know what they are up to..... I think they want to run it over the old "Mountain" subdivision from Clifton Forge down to Staunton. It's still usable, but CSX has almost abandoned it in favor of the James River route for all traffic. I was through there a couple of years ago and saw a loco (not CSX) with a couple of cars moving along slowly. I noticed that the signal light was working, which surprised me seeing how it looked to be made of pure rust.
From Staunton on to Charlottesville there's the Blue Ridge tunnel... a LOT of history and gorgeous scenery going down out of the mountains on that route. Staunton and Charlottesville would be ecstatic to have it stop there for even just an hour. I could see Charlottesville being the eastern terminus. I see the plan for the steamers as more of an "excursion" for the hotel guests. That's basically the Greenbrier's big attraction now, as a vacation base for excursions to WV whitewater rafting, mountain climbing, ski adventures, game hunting, off-roading.... and now, riding to two beautiful historic old downtowns through the Appalachian Mountains in an authentic 1940 era steam-powered train with all the finest fixin's. Drinks and food included. Where can I buy a ticket?!! Oh... I forgot... like the Greenbrier, I can't afford it! lol
The G.W. was once known as the world's finest train; if anyone can restore that train it is these guys. Jim Justice knows how to get stuff done, has some of the highest-level connections possible, and has money to burn (can you say Coal Baron? Btw, he also coaches high school basketball). There is a place there for him to run it. The entire region from Clifton Forge to Roanoke has just been designated a National Railroad Heritage area and people are starting to put up money to make RR nostalgia a thriving tourism business here. We already have two profitable scenic railroads in this region; I think there's a spot here for Mr. Justice's train, too.
So, there are actually two different train projects going on here... an excursion (I think) and a high-class "Special" for running the mainlines. For the mainline train, they will have to use diesel. Beside today's restrictions, if they want to run a train back and forth to DC and to KY, it has to be dependable and besides, there are no service facilities for a steam engine anywhere... no coal, no water. I think some reporters and folks blew this news out of proportion and created some silly theories, but there really is something going on. I am anxious to see where this project is in two years.

Tori