For those of you who read both forums regularly, I apologize, as you’ve likely seen this before… ********** For those of you who thought chopping up a model locomotive was a big challenge, try this one out… The Valley Railroad in Essex, CT just bought the 1989 SY 2-8-2 that had been owned by the Knox and Kane. Those of you following the story will remember that this is one of two SY class locomotives that came over from China having been built new by Tang Shan in 1989; the other was originally Valley Railroad #1647 and is now Susquehana #142. A third locomotive originally intended for Susquehana was lost at sea, which is why they ultimately ended up buying the 1647 from the VRR The locomotive was heavily damaged in an enginehouse fire at Knox and Kane and will require extensive rebuilding. What they’ve decided to do is somewhat remarkable though. The locomotive will be rebuilt to resemble a New Haven Railroad class J1a, which is, or was, a 2-8-2 of approximately the same size and style. None of the NHRR steam locomotives survived the torch, so this “bash” will be numbered 3025 (the last was 3024) and will become the “last” J-1a. Plans include a rebuilt cab, and a re-outlined tender, as well as “detail parts” to make the transformation work. You can read about it at http://theenginehouse.blogspot.com/2008/11/nynh-no-3025.html and there’s a photo of where they’re going with it at
. Other than that new locomotive “scratchbuilt” in England not long ago, this may be the biggest 1:1 modelmaking project around! Life imitates art, imitates life … Matthew (OV)
