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Discussion Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: J3a-614 on May 23, 2013, 09:00:32 PM

Title: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: J3a-614 on May 23, 2013, 09:00:32 PM
She's been under construction for at least a year, and now she's been delivered--York No. 17, a replica of a Northern Central Railway (Pennsylvania Railroad predecessor) for service on a tourist road on part of the route Abraham Lincoln rode on his way to Gettysburg:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=437009&nseq=43

The replica is based on what was apparently a very similar locomotive delivered to the Union Pacific.  As that engine is one of the 4-4-0s Bachmann offers in HO and N scales, maybe this is something to add for those who like 19th century railroading.

Other photos:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=172064222958231&set=o.254509512566&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=172064612958192&set=o.254509512566&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/steamintohistory

Enjoy!
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: the Bach-man on May 23, 2013, 10:52:20 PM
VERY nice!
the Bach-man
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: CNE Runner on May 24, 2013, 09:31:20 AM
J3, you have made my day. I am not a big fan of steam power; but my heart begins to race at the sight (illustration or otherwise) of a later 19th century 4-4-0. The locomotive you show is absolutely stunning...every line is perfection. Ah, railroading before standardization...

Thanks,
Ray
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: richg on May 24, 2013, 09:46:58 AM
Very nice. Thanks for posting. Wish could get there.

Rich
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: Bucksco on May 24, 2013, 06:23:57 PM
Hey Bach Man - ROAD TRIP!!!!!!
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: Terry Toenges on May 24, 2013, 08:29:31 PM
She's a looker!
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: J3a-614 on May 24, 2013, 09:41:51 PM
Out of curiosity, would Bachmann be interested in producing this as a model?  If so, what changes besides paint would be considered?  My thoughts would be a new pilot "insert" for the dies to reproduce that bird-cage metal pilot (and while at it, how about a working front coupler?), the new stack, and molding new truck sideframes--in red plastic! 

Now, to find those air brake parts I had around here somewhere. . .and does anyone make them in N scale, too. . .
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: CNE Runner on May 25, 2013, 10:38:15 AM
Thank you for the notification of this locomotive. My wife and are are adjusting our itinerary for this year's traveling to include the "Steam Into History" attraction. I just made a suggestion that the group include a 'directions' section in their website. Wow...a chance to ride behind a NEW Rogers 4-4-0 - how cool is that?

Ray
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: BIG BEAR on May 25, 2013, 11:03:29 PM
Hey All,

     She's stunningly beautiful. A brand new locomotive of my favorite model "The American".
I love it siimply love it!!!

Enjoy,
Barry
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: Pops on May 26, 2013, 08:58:54 AM
Now if we could just get Bachmann to release a Spectrum version in HO.  All they have are the modern Americans, which are nice - I have one - but I'd love one of those early ones.  That's when engines were really special - highly detailed, painted, cleaned and cared for.  Love 'em.
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: Johnson Bar Jeff on May 28, 2013, 01:43:25 PM
Quote from: CNE Runner on May 25, 2013, 10:38:15 AM
Thank you for the notification of this locomotive. My wife and are are adjusting our itinerary for this year's traveling to include the "Steam Into History" attraction. I just made a suggestion that the group include a 'directions' section in their website. Wow...a chance to ride behind a NEW Rogers 4-4-0 - how cool is that?

Ray

I gotta look into this. I visit my dad in Central Pennsylvania regularly, and this is the first I've heard of this "Steam into History" thing.

Quite a beautiful locomotive!
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: J3a-614 on June 01, 2013, 10:55:55 PM
Read more about it here, with inaugural run video in a later posting:

http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35057
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: Johnson Bar Jeff on June 07, 2013, 11:56:39 AM
I wonder what fuel they're using to fire that locomotive? And what they're doing for rolling stock/passenger cars?
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: ebtnut on June 07, 2013, 01:12:50 PM
The loco is oil-fired.  Eliminates the cinders and soot that would quickly tarnish all that paint and brightwork.  Also eliminates the disposal of cinders and potential tie fires from dropping clinkers.  When I stopped by there a few weeks ago they had two wood-bodied open platform passenger cars that appear to have been built over steel flatcars.  I hope to get up there next weekend for a ride and more in-depth observation
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: Johnson Bar Jeff on June 07, 2013, 01:41:40 PM
Thanks! I'm sure we'll all be interested to read about your impressions.  :)
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: J3a-614 on June 07, 2013, 08:35:35 PM
Here's the website for the operation:

http://www.steamintohistory.com/

The line's Facebook page, with comments:

https://www.facebook.com/steamintohistory

They do have a couple of crabs there; one guy is upset at the smoke, another is worried about the trains running alongside hikers and such on the trail, thinks it's a safety hazard, but those two are in the minority.  Interestingly, the fellow who doesn't like the oil smoke smell says his neighbor has or had a coal furnace, and that smelled OK.
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: ebtnut on June 13, 2013, 02:00:50 PM
Just so you'll know, I probably won't get up to New Freedom this weekend due to auto repair issues.  The line is advertising a Civil War re-enactment battle next Saturday which I do intend to attend, weather permitting. 
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: ebtnut on June 25, 2013, 10:24:35 AM
Got up to visit this past Saturday.  Took some photos of the 10 a.m. trip, but I don't have a way to post them here.  Unfortunately, the loco came up lame returning to New Freedom.  Something went wrong in the valve gear, and they had to cancel the rest of the weekend trips.  Repairs are supposed to be done early this week, but if you plan to visit, I'd call first.  The ride is very nice.  If you are really intrepid, you could "chase" the trips on the adjoining rail trail.  Note that the loco runs tender-first to Hanover Jct., with the loco on the point coming back to New Freedom.  Despite being an oil-burner, the loco does produce some smoke which is good for lineside photos. 
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: Johnson Bar Jeff on June 25, 2013, 10:39:52 AM
Thanks for the update!
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: ebtnut on June 26, 2013, 05:58:03 PM
OK, Railpicutures.net posted one of my pics:  http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=441270&nseq=0
The photo was taken as the train entered Glen Rock, near the water treatment plant.  The cars are borrowed from the Reader RR and are built over old flat car frames.  However, they told me that they are having authentic reproduction 1860's era cars built, which might arrive later this year.  My comment about chasing the train on the trail is based on this:  The rail line was damaged badly during tropical storm Agnes in June, 1972 and Conrail decided not to repair it.  The Maryland section was abandoned and torn up north of Cockeysville.  From there to Baltimore it is now the Hunt Valley Light Rail line.  York County took control of the line from New Freedome to York, and eventually allowed the Stewartstown RR to use it.  However, since the line had been double track, there was room along side the remaining single track, so there is now a hiker-biker trail along the whole distance from York to Cockeysville.  A stalwart biker could probably keep up with the train most of the way. 
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: jonathan on June 27, 2013, 06:52:53 AM
That is one professional looking photo.  No wonder they published it.  Nice shot, ebtnut!

Regards,

Jonathan
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: ebtnut on June 27, 2013, 11:13:22 AM
Thanks for the compliment, Jonathon.

Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: Johnson Bar Jeff on June 27, 2013, 01:18:18 PM
Great photo, EB!

That coach doesn't look so bad, though, of course, its style of roof is too late for the early to mid 1860s.

I just wish they hadn't given the locomotive that chicken-coop pilot. ...  ::)
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: J3a-614 on June 27, 2013, 07:13:14 PM
I wouldn't complain too much about that "chicken coop" pilot, partially because it's a bit different from the wooden pilots so often seen, and also because it's authentic for a Pennsylvania Railroad or Pennsylvania predecessor company in the 19th century.  Check out the Civil War era photos at Hanover Junction (in particular the one that appears to have Abraham Lincoln on the platform), and you'll see those pilots were very much in use then.

Now, what I would really like to see would be very authentic passenger cars, with proper period trucks under them.  That would be a time trip!
Title: Re: New 4-4-0 in Pennsylvania
Post by: Johnson Bar Jeff on June 28, 2013, 01:32:28 PM
Quote from: J3a-614 on June 27, 2013, 07:13:14 PM
I wouldn't complain too much about that "chicken coop" pilot, partially because it's a bit different from the wooden pilots so often seen, and also because it's authentic for a Pennsylvania Railroad or Pennsylvania predecessor company in the 19th century.  Check out the Civil War era photos at Hanover Junction (in particular the one that appears to have Abraham Lincoln on the platform), and you'll see those pilots were very much in use then.

Oh, I know all that, thank you very much. Authenticity has nothing to do with it. I just think those chicken-coop pilots are ugly. They were ugly in the 1850s and they were still ugly nearly a century later when the PRR was still using a version of them. Distinctive, to be sure, but  ... just plain ugly.  :D