Steam & Excursion > The best looking engine, best smelling place 1987

N&W coals up the night before a run south out of Ludlow, KY in 1987.

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30 years later, Ludlow yard is just about gone.

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... but in 1987, it was a busy place, with lots to see while you were waiting for the steam show.

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After pulling out of the engine terminal and picking up the train, 1218 backed out onto the bridge for a run on the hill.

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Making the run for Erlanger Hill and southward.

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Why isn't this running instead of that other thing? I don't want to hear about missing parts. They wouldn't matter if people really wanted....



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/26/16 19:29 by milfordgap.

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Great shots of my favorite engine (aside from 765 ;) )!
Oh how I wish she could steam again.
 

milfordgap Wrote:
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> I don't want to hear about missing parts.
> They wouldn't matter

But that's the thing - the missing parts DO matter.

pennsy3750 Wrote:
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> milfordgap Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I don't want to hear about missing parts.
> > They wouldn't matter
>
> But that's the thing - the missing parts DO
> matter.

What is missing? I thought that the flues were removed but I am unclear as to other items. Even that may be in error.

-Fred-

flyingfred Wrote:
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> pennsy3750 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > milfordgap Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > I don't want to hear about missing parts.
> > > They wouldn't matter
> >
> > But that's the thing - the missing parts DO
> > matter.
>
> What is missing? I thought that the flues were
> removed but I am unclear as to other items. Even
> that may be in error.
>
> -Fred-

If I recall correctly, the 1218 was sort of in the middle of a major overhaul, when NS "canceled" the steam program. Thus, 611 was still operational (only needing new wheels in the engine truck) and was thus run back to Roanoke, carefully winterized & prepared for "storage" and placed in the Roanoke Transportation Museum. The 1218, however, was pretty well "spread all over" the shop in Birmingham, i.e. all the superheaters were out, all the flues & tubes were out, and only one engine had been completely overhauled. She sure looks good on the outside though!

The 611, on the other hand, only required the FRA mandated 15 year boiler inspection in order to be returned to service (she didn't even receive the new wheels in the Engine truck until her second year of operation, i.e. 2016).

Been their many times great place to watch the south bound trains hit  the hill!

Thank you for the information, Hotwater.

-Fred-

"Supposedly" Scott Lindsay says that the 1218 is more complete than a lot of people think. I read this on the "Fire up 611" Facebook page from someone who talked with Scott for a bit before one of 611's excursions last year. So I could be wrong....but that's what I read.

Posted from Android

It might be nearly complete parts- wise, but I believe the new firebox which was being installed at the time the program was canceled is only tack-welded in place.

It doesn't seem like the missing parts for 1218 are an insurmountable obstacle. It's just like most thing a matter of time and resources ($,$$$,$$$)
One can dream.... should I win the powerball, well, there are some steam related to-do's on my list and 1218 would be one of them :)
-K

It only takes money, anything can be rebuilt or replaced on the 1218.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/16 22:23 by NWClassJ.

The Fire Up 611 crew is still around and could do the same thing again, likely in the same quick time. It's a matter of money and a place to run her.

Rebecca Morgan
Jacobsburg, OH