For us New Englander's who want to see steam on a regular bases the only place to go is the Valley Railroad in Essex Ct.
As of yesterday after eight years of being cold, engine 97 was fired up for the first time to check for leaks. Once operational hopefully by Dec, the valley will have three operating steam engines. 97 a 2-8-0, 40 a 2-8-2, and 3025 a Chinese engine rebuilt to look like a New Haven mikado.
More info can be had here.
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Seems like a nice operation. I really had to dig to find the locomotive roster on their page, though.
97 was the first steam locomotive I ever had the opportunity to run.
That's great news! Thanks for sharing. I was up there a few weeks ago.
Maybe, just maybe 97 will be operational for my North Pole Express trip is December 
yankspride4 posted:That's great news! Thanks for sharing. I was up there a few weeks ago.
Maybe, just maybe 97 will be operational for my North Pole Express trip is December
That’s the plan
Three good engines in steam... a terrific consist of beautifully maintained cars... AND it’s a for-profit organization!
Hey Steamtown... what are you missing?
Jon 
KOOLjock1 posted:Three good engines in steam... a terrific consist of beautifully maintained cars... AND it’s a for-profit organization!
Hey Steamtown... what are you missing?
Jon
Well, Steamtown does have #26 running with a couple of restored cars and the Boston and Maine 3713 is being restored there now. The other passenger cars I saw last week at Steamtown for the longer consist looked to be restored and in better shape than when I was there years ago.
I think Steamtown will be getting one of the Canadian locos back up and running after 3713 is completed as well.
Not sure what your point is here. It takes money, time and physical resources to restore a steam engine. Even this one took 8 years to get up and running again.
KOOLjock1 posted:Three good engines in steam... a terrific consist of beautifully maintained cars... AND it’s a for-profit organization!
Hey Steamtown... what are you missing?
Jon
Steamtown also has to spread their dollars to maintain a much larger facility and railroad collection. Valley can concentrate its efforts solely on equipment and infrastructure for tourist train operations.
Rusty
Valley has a great volunteer base that gets a lot done. They are extending the line mile by mile every year. Almost at mile post 15 with plans to connect with the P&W at the Pratt N Whitney plant and some day run trains all the way to Middletown. Great operation with several trains running at once every weekend until the season is over. Then this Christmas season running three steamers at once for the huge crowds that show every year.
I have to admit that right from the start rebuilding the ex K&K Chinese steamer to represent a New Haven steam engine was the best thing they ever did. I hope it paid well for the Valley RR!
prrhorseshoecurve posted:I have to admit that right from the start rebuilding the ex K&K Chinese steamer to represent a New Haven steam engine was the best thing they ever did. I hope it paid well for the Valley RR!
Do the Chinese locomotives have the engineer and fireman reversed sides like they do in Europe? If so did they move the controls to the right hand side when they rebuilt her?
Nope! Not on this one:
Don't know if this is true but from what I've heard she's not the easiest to fire, she's also a little over sized for what the Valley needs. Compared to her counterparts engine 97 and 40, she's the highest in cost when it comes to coal use, but again from what I've heard and I don't know if it's true. She sure is nice and I always try to see her running when I go down for a visit.
All that’s missing is Doris Day, Jack Lemmon, and a boxcar full of lobsters!
Jon
Awesome!
Update, the FRA inspector visited the Valley and 97 passed inspection with flying colors. So ther will be three engines running on weekends for the Christmas season
She lives again. All three steam engines were in steam this past weekend for special charters
That's really great news! I feel like the Valley Railroad gets lost in shuffle when discussing steam restoration and operations. Now here they are with THREE operating steam locos, several diesel switchers, and a fleet of very nice passenger cars, diners, etc. I visit three 2-3 times a year. It's really a nice operation.
Jdevleerjr posted:prrhorseshoecurve posted:I have to admit that right from the start rebuilding the ex K&K Chinese steamer to represent a New Haven steam engine was the best thing they ever did. I hope it paid well for the Valley RR!
Do the Chinese locomotives have the engineer and fireman reversed sides like they do in Europe? If so did they move the controls to the right hand side when they rebuilt her?
One of three SYs built to US specs with engineer on right side. Another one is in Phillipsburg, NJ (Susquehanna 142), and the third is in the Indian Ocean after the boat to the US sunk. The other Chinese engines here (1 JS, 3 QJs) are "reversed" with the engineer on the left side.
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