Steam & Excursion > Any discussion about N&W 1218 ever running again?

She became one of my favorite operating big steam engines (besides UP 3985), back in the 90's after viewing several professional tapes.

When was she retired or parked in (Ranoke?)?

I guess by the time I saw those tapes, she was already parked, and I "missed the boat".

Thanks for any info.

Jim Baker
Riverside, CA

Jim,

She last ran in 1991 and was retired at the end of the steam program in 1994. She was towed to Roanoke in January
of 1996 and remained in storage until 2003 when she was cosmetically restored and donated to VMT.

As far as future operationally possibilities, never say never but there is no opportunity at this point.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/21/18 21:12 by jderoo.

Great answer! I doubt she’ll run anytime soon, but like I did with 611 I will always hold on to hope.

jderoo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Jim,
>
> She last run in 1991 and was retired at the end of
> the steam program in 1994. She was towed to
> Roanoke in January
> of 1996 and remained in storage until 2003 when
> she was cosmetically restored and donated to VMT.
>
> As far as future operationally possibilities,
> never say never but their is no opportunity at
> this point.

Posted from iPhone

steam290 Wrote:
------------------------------------------------If I remember correctly 1218 was being rebuilt and partially torn apart when the steam program was cancelled. I am not sure what was put back together when it was donated.


> Great answer! I doubt she’ll run anytime soon,
> but like I did with 611 I will always hold on to
> hope.
>
> jderoo Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Jim,
> >
> > She last run in 1991 and was retired at the end
> of
> > the steam program in 1994. She was towed to
> > Roanoke in January
> > of 1996 and remained in storage until 2003 when
> > she was cosmetically restored and donated to
> VMT.
> >
> > As far as future operationally possibilities,
> > never say never but their is no opportunity at
> > this point.
>
> Posted from iPhone

Here's my pic of the big girl when I was in Roanoke last year!

---

I'm glad I got to chase and ride behind her in 1990 and 1991. I was sure I'd missed the boat with #611... who knew?!?!

One can always hope, but that hope must be tempered with a dose of the reality of the day.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

The best of her, was the NRHS Convention of 1987. Doubleheaders with 611, side by sides, photo runs, night shots, the works. Correct maroon consist and CPL signals all the way.

The last A. She was a total wreck when the Claytor boys got her. Things were missing, broken and worn out. So....tell the men in the Roanoke Shops,,, just make a new part....you guys know how to do it!

Keystone1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
tell the men in the Roanoke
> Shops,,, just make a new part....you guys know how
> to do it!

She was restored in Irondale, AL.

Yes......of course........but WHERE do you think the missing parts came from. Jim Bistline told me that, PERSONNALLY.

Keystone1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The best of her, was the NRHS Convention of 1987.
> Doubleheaders with 611, side by sides, photo runs,
> night shots, the works. Correct maroon consist and
> CPL signals all the way.

Yes, glorious!, I think that's the video I saw.

Jim Baker
Riverside, CA

Keystone1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes......of course........but WHERE do you think
> the missing parts came from. Jim Bistline told
> me that, PERSONNALLY.


Congrats on your name-dropping skills.

So the Roanoke shop was still building steam parts in 1985-87?

Roanoke Shops wasn't producing steam parts everyday but certainly had the capability to forge and produce parts for both J611 and A1218. The foundry was closed in the early 2000's shortly after the Conrail split as a cost saving measure. I can attest it is a factual statement that Roanoke Shops did indeed forge/cast replacement parts for the early steam excursion program.

To get 1218 running again will take mountains of money and talent. I was at the Birmingham steam shop auction in 1995 where NS disposed of the steam program inventory. When the program was cancelled, 1218 was in the shop undergoing a substantial rebuild. At the auction, I looked over the locomotive carefully. The boiler components had been removed and you could see from one end to the other. My recollection from the time is that many new components intended for the 1218 rebuild were auctioned off for pennies on the dollar. I don't recall that any original items were on the bid list. However, my impression was that the locomotive would take an extensive amount of work to ever get running again. I doubt that the cosmetic restoration did much to replace the internals. I'm glad I got to see her in action and to ride behind her several times.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/23/18 09:03 by doc1057.

Keystone1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The last A.

The last surviving A.

ProAmtrak Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here's my pic of the big girl when I was in
> Roanoke last year!

Wow, nice pic, and what a big beast! Your pic reminds me of one of those prints on the cover of a Lionel train set box or catalog!

Jim Baker
Riverside, CA

I rode behind it just once, early 90's, Kansas City to Moberly, MO & back. The only time I got to see it. Got a cab tour, & the kids enjoyed it.

Posted from Android

I think the question is whether the 611 will get a chance to run again, not the 1218.

I agree. If the 611 is allowed to start pulling trips again, then we can start talking about 1218. We all know there is no point in rebuilding a locomotive with no place to run. Let’s be glad 611was rebuilt 3 years ago. If the project was started now the project would never get off the ground.

NKP779 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think the question is whether the 611 will get a
> chance to run again, not the 1218.

Posted from iPhone

What would be the purpose in such a decision?
Are there better uses for the expected costs and available funds?

Win the BIG lottery, buy influence on a private branch line, and knock yourself out!!!

W.