It's been a while since the tender of a steam engine was lettered this way! And unfortunately, none of the New Haven Railroad's original steam engines survive today. But thanks to the Valley Railroad, some of us who were born too late will get a pretty good taste of what a New Haven engine looked like in the not-too-distant future. As previously announced, the Valley Railroad is restoring their Chinese SY Mikado to a reasonable likeness of a New Haven Class J-1. In this shot, you are looking at the recently restored tender for the Valley's SY. Through a little creative steelwork, the slope-back appearance of the Chinese SY has disappeared and the finished product looks a lot like the squared-off, clear-vision tenders that some New Haven engines were sporting in historic photos. The tall, narrow coal bunker offers the crewmembers a good view to the rear, while still carrying a hefty load of fuel. Since the engines on the Valley Railroad run in reverse quite a bit, the crews should really appreciate this feature. It will still be a while yet before the 3025 is ready, but one look at this little critter has the photogs among us already contemplating the photo charter possibilities when she is.
From a hint of "Bee" (NKP 765), colorful "Bees" (KCS), "Bees" w/ "attitude", to "Bees" that "sting" your eyes, in their own way they have "Bee" on display! Equipment that "Buzzes" with Yellow & Black colors! ("Bees" can still "Bee" entering this "hive"!)
