Steam & Excursion > CP 1238 & 1286 sold

I was made aware of this because of their routing back to Canada which is through Chicago. Unfortunately it doesn't say exactly where they are ending up. 

http://www.newsleader.com/story/news/one-moment/2015/07/23/steam-locomotives-prepared--long-trek-home/30593849/

Headed for storage on the Praire Dog Central tourist railway, Winnipeg Manitoba. Some Fan Boys think they will run on the PDC, which is unlikely since the tourist railway lacks money and skilled staff to restore a pacific
trevor

Here's a bit more I found just in case anyone is interested.
 

Former Canadian Pacific 4-6-2s to move to Winnipeg from Virginia
By Chase Gunnoe | July 23, 2015

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – Two former Canadian Pacific G5 class 4-6-2 locomotives will return to Canada after spending more than 40 years in central Virginia. Nos. 1238 and 1286 operated as the showcase of Jack Showalter’s Virginia Central tourist Railroad in Covington, Va., from the 1970s to 1990s.

The locomotives have been stored on the Shenandoah Valley Railroad in Staunton, Va., for more than 15 years and will soon be moved to The Vintage Locomotive Society Inc., the operator of the Prairie Dog Central Railway in Winnipeg. The locomotives have been acquired for use in one or more steam excursion operations, but will remain in storage at Winnipeg while future operating plans and commitments are under review. 

The two steamers operated tourist excursions on the ex-Chesapeake & Ohio Hot Springs Branch, a 15-mile line connecting Covington, Va., with the Hot Springs Resort. Under the leadership of Jack Showalter, Nos. 1238 and 1286 would lead occasional trips on former C&O main lines, including a 1983 trip to the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. 

In addition to the two steam locomotives, five passenger cars will go to the North Carolina Transportation Museum. Those cars include three 1948-built Pullman coaches for the Grand Trunk Western, an ex-Baltimore & Ohio diner, and ex- U.S. Army diner. The Spencer, N.C.-based museum intends to place the B&O diner into service for the museum’s widely popular 2015 Polar Express excursions later this year. Each of the cars will receive additional renovations as time permits. 

The three remaining passenger cars in Showalter’s Virginia Central collection, ex-RF&P heavyweights, will go to Roanoke’s Virginia Museum of Transportation for restoration.

Showalter, an influential tourist railroad operator and steam preservationist died in November 2014.

Mayfair Tower:
Your history of these locomotives is incomplete as Mr. Showalter had a contract with the predecessors of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad in Cumberland when this operation first began back in the late 1980's as the Allegeny Central Railroad.  Both the 1238 and 1286 were operated between Cumberland, Maryland and Frostburg, Maryland for a few years until Mr. Showalter decided that he was not making enough money for his efforts.  The State of Maryland refused to extend his contract and he was ordered off the property at some point and this is when the two engines were sent down to Covington, Virginia.  The Western Maryland Scenic was organized at this point, and the new organization operated diesel trains for the next two years until they were able to acquire the #734 steam locomotive.  Mr. Showalter and his locomotives sat idle for the remaining years, I was informed once he left the Cumberland area.

John in White Marsh, Maryland

Thanks for the added info John! I was just copying and pasting articles as I have no knowledge of these locomotives but I enjoy the history! All I know is as of right now they'll be routed past my house as long as the clearance dept. gives them the go ahead. Thanks! 

Chris

ClubCar Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
.> ...until Mr. Showalter decided that he was
> not making enough money for his efforts.  The
> State of Maryland refused to extend his contract
> and he was ordered off the property...

Which was it?  He decided he was not making
enough money or he got kicked out?  Why was
he ordered off the property?

/Mitch

just sounds like they reached an impass like the georgetown loop situation

  Here is 1238 in Frostburg, August 1990.  I do not know the details about why Mr. Showalter and his locomotives left.

B&OB

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1238 In Baltimore and Harrisburg, and double heading with 1286 on the Port Road.  Baltimore Chapter NRHS excursion May 18, 1969.

B&OB



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/06/15 17:06 by bandob.

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1286 in Baltimore, double heading with 1238. Baltimore Chapter NRHS Excursion May 18, 1969 went up the corridor to Perryville, thence to Harrisburg. Leaving Harrisburg train when up to and over rockville Bridge, back down through enola and York on the former Northern Central to Baltimore.

B&OB



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/06/15 17:07 by bandob.

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They're on the move aboard QTTX 131269, QTTX 131427 and QTTX 131427.  Arrived Enola, PA Thursday 8/6 at 0556.