OK guys, so HOW do we get this BEAST safely to the PA State Museum at Strasburg ?
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News Please! What does this mean? Is 643 being scrapped or what?
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She doesn't seem to be in too bad a shape considering how she's been kept all these years. I sure hope Glenn gets a good roof over her head soon, before the scrap torches start to flicker...
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The roof finally came down.
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Scary that it is really out in the open in that neighborhood now, but maybe now it will get some publicity and SOMETHING will happen to save this thing.
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Yes, more info please! I see an old Alco behind it, is this an old museum? How did those engines get there? Somebody mentioned scrapping and torches, I can't believe anybody would seriously consider scrapping a beautifully preserved piece of history like this, I hope she finds a good home soon!
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This is the only remaining example of the 47 2-10-4 Texas types the B&LE owned. They were patterned off of CB&Q 2-10-4s. This particular locomotive had been preserved by the B&LE in their 17-stall roundhouse (which still stands!) since the arrival of diesels until it was sold to a private owner in the early 1980s, when it was sold to a private owner who still owns it today. Its location has changed a few times in the past few decades, but it has always remained in the Pittsburgh area. To my understanding, they had it in pretty much running condition and then nothing else happened, its just been sitting there. What I and a lot of other people would give to see the Bessemer logo and correct number font slapped back on there and see it run SOMEWHERE, but it doesn't look like that is ever going to happen.
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Is there anybody out there with fundraising enterprise to spearhead a campaign so we all can raise the money to get this engine to a safe haven?
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Having seen two well known steam excursion stars scrapped (CB&Q 5632, GTW 5629) I will worry about this big girl.
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I remember many, many years ago being at W&LE's Rook Yard Office near Pittsburgh when in comes 2 gentlemen stating they were the owners of the 643. They wanted to inquire with the W&LE about shipping B&LE 643 up to Rook for storage and possible operation. Even though I was not a W&LE employee, I commented to these gentlemen, in my opinion the 643 is a beast, way to big and heavy for the former P&WV with those 5 sets of drivers and the small 112/115 pound jointed rail, and all that curvature that makes up the P&WV. I'm sure that day was 15+ years ago. I never heard what the outcome of their inquiry was, but of utmost importance, a home is needed for the 643 ASAP.
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SOMEONE PLEASE SAVE HER!
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Pipe dreams. This loco needs to go to Steamtown or out to Jerry Jacobson's set up in Sugar Creek, OH so that it can be taken care of properly. It could run again. As stated in other posts, its just to big and heavy, the wheel base is to long, AND no freight railroad wants to deal with the hassle of a unestablished steam owner wanting to play with his toy.
Maybe Glenn could retain ownership and just have someone else take care of her, it would be better than the current situation its been in for the last 18-20 some years hidden from the public.
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As info, 643 has a blind center driver, so it's wheelbase is not an issue. It can go places that some 6 axle diesels can't go. But I'm not sure what the axle load is on it.
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| Posted by Andrew on July 31, 2010 | |
Ok the 643 is NOT being scraped I have contacts ( Dont ask me who they are will not release this) Over the Winter Storms in 2009 the steel beams that hold the builoding up started to crack so glen and some other people got the alco fixed after some person last spring stole the copper piping out of it and pushed the 643 up far enough to clear the building well the building was knocked down and then the 643 was moved back after a place was cleared for her to sit.
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| Posted by on October 22, 2010 | |
Years ago, all she needed was a match to run! The unit is still sitting here, except I THINK the 643 numberplate was added.. From what I know, The owner is not willing to sell it.
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She needs to be in a better home than this. Any new news about her?
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