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Missing 4-8-4

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Posted by U-3-b on Sunday, May 12, 2013 12:57 PM

efftenxrfe

Way back: that NYC 20's thru 40's steam power, predominately Alco constructed, was destroyed so completetely, some said that a "Niagra" could be made to resemble an NYC L group of Mountain wheel arranged engines. That thought brought the engine to the U.S.

While I am not saying that what you said is not true, but that is not like anything I have ever heard about this locomotive. 

There is a very informative thread about 3028 over on Railway Preservation News

http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=32210&hilit=NdeM

Steve

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Posted by Firelock76 on Saturday, May 11, 2013 8:28 PM

Strange they'd want to convert a Mexican "Niagra"  into an erzatz  "Mohawk",  considering two "Mowhawks"  are still in existance, one in Elkhart Indiana and one at the National Museum of Transportation in St. Louis.

It'd make more sense to restore the "Niagra" to operation and just enjoy it for what it is. 

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Posted by efftenxrfe on Saturday, May 11, 2013 7:22 PM

Of......

...lamentations, recollections, inspirations.....

Way back: that NYC 20's thru 40's steam power, predominately Alco constructed, was destroyed so completetely, some said that a "Niagra" could be made to resemble an NYC L group of Mountain wheel arranged engines. That thought brought the engine to the U.S.

Limbo, ever since. 

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Posted by Firelock76 on Saturday, May 11, 2013 7:01 PM

Henry you're right about the "Niagra", it is small for it's wheel type, sort of like its Canadian 4-8-4  "compadres."  

I remember seeing it briefly in a Mark-1  Video souvenir tape of C&O  614's New Jersey Transit excursions back in the 90's.  614  was refurbished at the New Hope facility.  Sadly my VCR ate the tape about a year ago so I can't go back for a second look.  Anyone know if it's available on DVD?

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Posted by henry6 on Saturday, May 11, 2013 4:17 PM

I thought it was smaller...I know it was a small locomotive for the wheel arrangement.  I also knew it was gone when it was sent out of Albany.  It was built by Alco in 1946 in Schenectady and moved back there in the late 50's or early 60's for restoration and preservation.  The owning group struggled somewhat and lost its home at Altamont (NY) Fairgrounds and was able to move it to the D&H Colonie Shops until Guilford sold the property and they were in effect, kicked off the property.  The engine was move to New Hope for use on that line.  As I noted, it is small for its class and probably would workout there ok.  However, it has not been seen nor heard of for a long, long time.  I understand the Alco Historical Society would like to fetch it back for their museum project.  I do hope so.

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Posted by Firelock76 on Saturday, May 11, 2013 3:53 PM

Beg to differ Henry, but it is a 4-8-4, a NdeM  "Niagra".  No I didn't mis-spell, that's what the Mexicans called it.  New Hope and Ivyland's still got it but it's "dormant"  for whatever reason.  Waiting for enough funds for a restoration?  A place to run it if it is restored?  It's a big locomotive for a short line like the NH&I.  Possibly someone connected with New Hope can tell us.

We had a pretty good discussion about this a while back on the "Trains"  mag Forum, maybe a year or so ago.

I just double-checked on the NH&I  website.  Yep, it's a 4-8-4.  No target date for restoration to service though. 

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Posted by henry6 on Saturday, May 11, 2013 3:43 PM

4-8-4?  No.  Perhaps you mean 2-8-4.  Was owned by Great Northeaster Railroad Foundation of Albany but sent to New Hope and Iveyland in New Hope, PA about 15 or 20 years ago and never seen or heard of again.

RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.

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Missing 4-8-4
Posted by oldline1 on Saturday, May 11, 2013 3:16 PM
Quite a few years ago there was a photo and some info in Trains about an NdeM 4-8-4 that was to be rebuilt and operated on a New Jersey tourist line. Whatever happened to the engine? Anyone remember the news clip? It would be a nice to see her run. They were quite nice looking Alcos. Roger Huber

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