Steam engine #470 to run again!

We've been in Maine for 35 years and I've seen this old engine on the short section of track devoted entirely to it every time we go into Waterville. But it will run again!

Here's the story.


And a bit more here.

If you want more info' just do as I did and google "Waterville Maine steam locomotive #470".

According to the buyers the engine is in much better shape than they thought it would be. I'd love to see it running again.

That is neat - the fact that these giant machines were desiged and built without the use of computers and CNC machinery makes it more impressive. As I get older I like to see this old technology brought back to life and appreciate that not everything cool has blinky lights. Probably why we wet shave....

We used to live in Waterville, Ohio that had a steam train line that ran on the weekends. The locamotive needs repair and they are currently raising money for that project also.

Great story and would love to see more images as the restoration takes place- a great piece of Americana/history brought back to life!

That is neat - the fact that these giant machines were desiged and built without the use of computers and CNC machinery makes it more impressive.  As I get older I like to see this old technology brought back to life and appreciate that not everything cool has blinky lights.  Probably why we wet shave....

We used to live in Waterville, Ohio that had a steam train line that ran on the weekends.  The locamotive needs repair and they are currently raising money for that project also.

Hey, Cincinnatus, I didn't  realize you lived outside of Toledo. When were you there? I vaguely remember that train line. There is an old tourist steam train line in Campo, California outside of San Diego. Like Brian and you, I love seeing these old workhorses brought back to life. I also enjoy seeing old trolley cars like the PCC cars, and older, resurrected. There is just something about rail travel that buses will never replace.

1964 to 1990 in Toledo

1991 to 1992 in Waterville.

If you ever get a chance to go to the Henrey Ford Museum or the B&O Museum and get to see one of the Allegheny class engines it is beyond massive.  

Here are the specs:

Why is it called the “Allegheny”?
The H-8 class was designed to haul heavy trains over the steep grades of the Allegheny Mountains—especially the route between Hinton, West Virginia and Clifton Forge, Virginia.

How many were originally made? How many are still in existence?
Lima Locomotive Works, of Lima, Ohio, made 60 Alleghenies for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway from 1941-1948, locomotive #1601 was the second one built. The Virginian Railway purchased 8 Alleghenies from Lima Locomotive works in 1945. Only 2 Alleghenies survive: 1601, here at The Henry Ford, and 1604 at the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.

What is the size, speed, strength and original cost of the Allegheny?
The Allegheny is 125-ft long, 11-ft 2-in wide, 16-ft 5 ½-in tall and weighs approximately 771,000-lbs. It could pull 160 coal cars, each with a 60-ton load, and if only pulling passenger cars, could run at 60 mph. 1601’s original price was $230,663.

When were the Alleghenies retired?
The C&O began replacing these steam locomotives with diesels in 1952; all were retired by 1956. 1601 was donated to The Henry Ford and was presented on July 9, 1956.

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1964 to 1990 in Toledo

1991 to 1992 in Waterville.

I lived in Toledo from 1968 to 1975 before moving to San Diego.