Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 S2 #763 being removed from VMT yard

[sitchewation]

is that a tank engine on the back of the locomotive and there is only 2 diesels sorry bad ty[er

[sitchewation]

its pretty sad when it takes like 3 or 4 deisels 2 move 1 engine amagine how many it would take 2 move a train

[tinman3804]

What is the status of 763 these days??? Milwaukee Road 261 is hopefully going to be up and running by this fall from what I hear.

[wurlitzer153duplex]

@tinman3804 Jerry's still working of getting the roundhouse up and running. You can see the progress at ageofsteamroundhouse (dot) com. Once the shop is done, barring any problems with their other engines, they'll probably pull her inside and get to work.

[Bassfanatic94]

This is the locomotive Ross Rowland ran in the 50's and 60's right?

[m611martin]

@Bassfanatic94 No, that was 759, which is now at Steamtown NHS in Scranton, PA.

[FatSeal45]

@m611martin I have to give steamtown some credit there 759 is 100 times better than this engine.

[m611martin]

@FatSeal45 Well, since they've done a lot of cosmetic work on the engine. 763 was in a rough shape at the time, from years of exposure to the elements. I would say that now that she away from Roanoke and back in her home state and who's owner intends to restore her to service, she'll be just fine.

[badboylll]

Now i didn seete pistons moving on the 763...were they cut off?

[m611martin]

No, they were still on.

[wurlitzer153duplex]

@badboylll They dropped the drive rods for transport. You generally don't want to run the pistons dry for any long distance, it's bad for wear.

[PereMarquette1223]

@badboylll The rods were disconnected from the pistons. I'm sure they were locked up after sitting for so long.

[Jsusfrk20]

It's very rewarding to see that someone appreciates the engine so much that they're willing to make it run again but at the same token it's sad to see the townspeople sad to see her go, I mean a lot of the people in the background called it a her, that shows true love there, I just wish they could've restored it there for the people to enjoy instead of having it just sit there.

[m611martin]

Well put. I miss 763 everytime I go to the VMT because she meant a lot to me, as she was there ever since my first visit in 1994. On the same note, if 763 stayed at the VMT, she would never get the chance to run again. In the long run, the Ohio Central was a better home for the berk. I'm grateful that I was able to be there the day she left the museum, and I hope to ride on one of her first excursions when she is restored.

[Jsusfrk20]

Thanks, I know what it feels like, at least your locomotive has a great chance to run again as you said but the locomotive in my town I don't think will ever run. You can google it, type Canadian National #1395, her sister the 1392 is operating in Alberta.

I do wish I can see how it's coming with the 763, the website is down ever since Jerry stepped down from the Ohio Central. Do you know the new link at all to check on her progress?

[m611martin]

I wish I knew, but I don't. I'll try asking around.

[Jsusfrk20]

Thanks, whenever I try all I get is some steam bath thing, rather embarrassing when you're trying to find a locomotive! :)

[Chessie9009]

@m611martin just seen her today in sugar creek=) roundhouse structure is complete and backshop aswell! just needs the doors, windows, and interior.

[rallygsc]

Can't wait to see her running again, The Ohio Central has respect for steam, it would be nice if Norfolk Southern put the fire back into their 2 steamers

[yerkees01]

my biggest issue with OHCRR is that, while they respect steam, they dont respect is historically. All their engines have Ohio Central painted on the side. Now, i dont know about you, but if i saw NKP #763 with Ohio Central painted on the tender, that would piss me off. Even the Strasburg Railroad, oldest shortline in the country, has repainted their engines so they are historically accurate

[m611martin]

Yes, I agree. I think that 763 should remain in her NKP livery, but it is not up to me to decide that. I'm just happy that she will run again.

[Strasburg1991]

what's the tank behind 763?

[m611martin]

That is Celanese co. Fireless Porter #1. She has been part of the VMT's collection for a long time, like the 763.

[ncrailfan]

Will it be rebuilt to run?

[m611martin]

That is the goal of the Ohio Central. It will take about 4 years to rebuild her. So by 2011, she should be operable, or close to being operable.

[PepsiAddict18]

I heard about 763 being removed, but I never got the chance to see the removal process, until now. Thank you very much!

[m611martin]

You are very welcome.