N&W 4-8-0 #1151 at the VMT in Roanoke, VA

[gartify]

We can only hope but she nasty at the moment, big bucks to fix

[m611martin]

@gartify Yes, couldn't agree more. Definately will take a lot of money (understatement) and a lot of time to restore back to a great cosmetic shape. The VMT is really getting back on their feet and I suspect that within the next couple years 1151 will become a major project for them.

[DarkMouseyFan114]

Were you able to get into the cab?

[m611martin]

@DarkMouseyFan114 Nope, nothing much in there anyway.....

[indie1361]

It's pains me to see 475's sister engine in such a bad state.

[m611martin]

@indie1361 Well...with any luck, the VMT will find someway to restore this old gal to a good cosmetic shape. Currently, they are getting themselves back on their feet.

[Vorahk3985]

One word to say about this locomotive: rust.

[m611martin]

@Vorahk3985 Indeed.

[ATSF1927]

This is built by Roanoke Locomotive Works, I sent many mile in the cab of the old Baldwin Steamers during my younger years with Santa Fe Railway. We use Blacksmiths to build replacement parts on the Steamers, but them Fellas don't exist these days. She looks to be repairable.

[m611martin]

@ATSF1927 Wow, that's really cool! Glad to meet individuals who worked on steam engines in the glory days of steam. We are all hoping down my way to see 1151 restored into a nice museum piece someday.

[kelbym07]

Now THATS a project. Sweet deal.

[Kleman09]

From my very limmited perspective, she looks as though she can return to steam with the right amount of money, man power, and parts. she looks like an engine in the middle of a rebuild, few parts on her and rusty looking. Everything looks solid based on the video, but im sure personal inspection will say otherwise. some testing cold prove if she is capable of holding steam anymore.

[Kleman09]

I thought she didnt have a tender.

[disneyrangerblue02]

She's being restored now! Isn't that wonderful?!

[m611martin]

@disneyrangerblue02 1151 isn't under restoration at this time, as there is so much work that needs to be done to it and not enough money present to make it happen. 1134 has been cosmetically restored and 1118 is being worked on.

[disneyrangerblue02]

@m611martin Oh. I see. Well, I hope plans for 1151's overhaul will come soon.

[lolz976]

that boiler is friggin HUGE compared to the 475

[LinnTractorNut]

At least they didn't get scrapped, seemed pretty likely they would be for awile there. With three centuries worth of coal at hand and oil drilling shut down, I'm for steampower.

[cheesemunster12]

if they need parts for 1151 they can ask Strasburg to copy and build parts based on 475 another M class from N & W

[m611martin]

@cheesemunster12 That's true.

[mmandmcb14]

and more people to help with the work.

[TheNw1218]

they should restore it

[trainmandan05]

One other question, why did they wait so long to scrap these engines?

[m611martin]

I suppose it is one of the great mistories of our lifetime. That the lord that 1151, 1118, and 1134 weren't scrapped.

[trainmandan05]

If the funds were given could this locomotive be rebuilt to operating condition?

[m611martin]

Anything is possible with the right amount of money, but I highly doubt that 1151 will steam again. :(

[meguell3]

It died.... Alot.

[mcr0928]

Iv seen this alot, i know 5 trains in this very condition, sad so say, not too many cities, or people are willing to rebuild at this stage of a steamers life. It it has no paint, you can almost say goodbye.

[m611martin]

Yes, lets pray that someone comes along with the money to cosmetically restore 1151 and her two sisters.

[m611martin]

At the moment, no. But, it isn't impossible that the Roanoke Chapter NRHS might restore 1118 to operation if they get the money and a good place to operate her on. I doubt that 1151 will ever run again though.

[m611martin]

Remaking any parts of the locomotive is possible but very expensive. The VMT doesn't have the money to replace these parts, so they will need help from outside sources for funding.

[m611martin]

Both auxiliary tenders are to be mated with two of the three 4-8-0's. The 15,000 gallon tender is mated with 1151, and the 17,000 gallon tender will be mated with 1134. Both will be restored and rebuilt back into coal tenders for those two engines. That just leaves 1118 without a tender.

[NWPowhatanArrow611]

I only wish that the Y6 (I believe 2143) and Y6b (2174) that survived in another Roanoke scrapyard until 1976 had been saved instead of scrapped, but at least there is Y6a 2156 in St. Louis. Glad to see that the 4-8-0's seem to have a brighter future despite their condition.

[m611martin]

1134 and 1118 are in considerably good shape considering being exposed to the outside elements for 50+ years, but getting either one to run again would be a huge undertaking. Not impossible though. Perhaps late next year 1134 will be finished and at her new home in Portsmouth, VA where she will be a pretty museum piece.

[atsf3415dbr]

There's still 1118 and 1134 to save.

[m611martin]

They have been saved too. 1118 and 1134 have been moved to the Roanoke Chapter NRHS's 9th Street facility in Roanoke. 1134 will be cosmetically restored for the recently formed, Railroad Museum of Virginia in Portsmouth and will be displayed there along with the other tender that was saved from the scrapyard.

[m611martin]

I do too.

[GSMR1702]

could potentially be a beautiful locomotive. hopefully she can be restored

[m611martin]

Yes, she has a lot of potential. Work will be slow though, but rest assured, somday she will shine.

[Kleman09]

Will she be returned to operation?

[m611martin]

I highly doubt it. She is missing most of her key parts that will be very expensive to replace. Out of the three 4-8-0's that were rescued from the Roanoke Scrapyard, 1118 has the best shot at running again.

[bnsf261]

so is the vmt gonna do anything with her?

[m611martin]

The goal is to restore her, but it will be very costly to replace all her missing parts.