Eastern Railroad Discussion > New RJ Corman Steam Locomotive

RJC 2-10-2 seen at Chattanooga , Tn today. heading to kentucky .

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Does anyone know what the plans are for this locomotive? Aaron 20

RJC runs a dinner train from Bardstown Kentucky to near the CSX main at Bardstown Jct. Heard that it might run there. Also heard that they might use it in the Lexington - Frankfort Ky. area and possibly to the east side of Louisville where RJC meets CSX in Anchorage. Don't bet any money on any of that. It's just hear-say. Anyway, if it ends up running in Kentucky it will probably end up in Osborne even if it is just passing through.

RJC has ask CSX for help getting the thing running. CSX has an FRA man at Osborne that has steam qualifications but word is that he has too much work to do now and won't be able to assist RJC with this project. That comment comes from a source that I trust but the last I heard anything about it was 4 or 5 months ago.

John

Right now the only plans are for it to be used for company promotional purposes and special events, no public excursion service or anything like that. Its to be based out of Lexington,KY, where a steam shop will be built to service the locomotive and store it when not in use. Operational territory is supposed to be on the "Old Road" between Lexington and Shelbyville with a wye to be built in both Lexington and Shelbyville to allow turning at both locations (I think the Shelbyville wye is already under construction).

Bryan Jones
Brooks, KY
Bryan's Train Photos

The Lexington Wye is half way completed. They installed the "old l & N wye" at the end of the yard near Cox street.

A major golf tournament (Ryder cup I think) will be held in Lexington next year. I understand (from some of my RJCC, RJCM served customers) that Corman is building some sort of "complex" for passenger trains near to golf course where they will have hospitality tents for their customers and other railroads. The new steam engine is supposed to play an integral part in the festivities. Also hearing that NS and CSXT, as well as possibly UP and BNSF will have hospitality areas and have their business trains on hand/on display along with the Corman equipment/trips.

I hear Gary Bensman is back in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area. Maybe he could be of assistance for $$$? After all he is an independent steam loco contractor.


wa4umr Wrote:
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> > RJC has ask CSX for help getting the thing
> running. CSX has an FRA man at Osborne that has
> steam qualifications but word is that he has too
> much work to do now and won't be able to assist
> RJC with this project. That comment comes from a
> source that I trust but the last I heard anything
> about it was 4 or 5 months ago.
>
> John

No smoke lifters like the other QJs. Perhaps Mr. Corman is going to Americanize this locomotive?

Spotted in the yard. In the forground, they are intalling the wye for turning the QJ in Lexington.

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MikeWalker Wrote:
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> Spotted in the yard. In the forground, they are
> intalling the wye for turning the QJ in Lexington.


In that last photo it looks like they got the "cart before the horse." Maybe it's going to be operated as a "cab forward."

I went down to take a picture today. They have moved the tender to the rear. Also they have been replacing ties on the track next to the locomotive. Rick Corman said they will unload Wednesday at 10:30 AM.

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MikeWalker Wrote:
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> I went down to take a picture today. They have moved the tender to the rear. Also they have been
> replacing ties on the track next to the locomotive. Rick Corman said they will unload
> Wednesday at 10:30 AM.

Where is their yard in Lexington? I will be up there Wednesday Evening/Thursday for a visit to the UK Hospital.

Thanx....
Jollymon

The R J Corman yards in Lexington are at 133 Buchanan Street. Just south and slightly west of the downtown and Rupp Arena. Take Main St west from downtown and after you cross over the NS, look to the south.

PS Is this a new steam engine, one of the last built in China or ?

John