Everybody knows N&W 611 will ride again in the near coming years.
But about N&W 1218 ? She had ride again near 611 in the end of the 19 century.
When Norfolk Southern decided to stop the steam program she was stored whith 611 at the Roanoke museum.
The story is well know, the boiler needed some repairs and it's seems a labor men cut a big hole in the boiler because he really don't know how to repair a rusted boiler.
There were many discussions about this fate, but after so many people ask to see 611 running again, we never see many interest to steam up 1218 again.
She was heavily restored; some says better than challenger 3985, but she was forget in the museum after the decision of NS.
So, seeing a big boy on the rail which need a gigantic overhaul is there any project to repair and see N&W 1218 class A ( the only survivor of his class) ride again?
Is there anybody knows something for his future?
Marc, Belgium
At this point, there is no publicized plan to rebuild 1218 for operation, although it appears that such a rebuild would be possible, and you are one of a great many who would like to see it happen.
The Trains Magazine Forum's Steam & Preservation section currently has a thread entitled "1218/2156 Restoration Status". The subject is discussed pretty thoroughly in that thread.
Tom
The statement of "She was heavily restored; some says better than challenger 3985, but she was forget in the museum after the decision of NS" would be heavily argued by the management and volunteers of the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke. 1218 has neither been forgotten or neglected. 1218 is displayed under roof and has quality paint as well as appropriate signage to help visitors appreciate the locomotive.
The 1218 was under heavy restoration when the decision was made to stop the steam program, so re-assembly for the return to Roanoke was not done with the same level of care that would have occurred for operation. Restoration to operation would be costly, but it is far from unworkable.
Bill (former resident of Roanoke and 30yr member of the VMT)
I think it would be great if somebody started a Non-For profit organization called "Fire Up 1218" and donated all proceeds to the restoration of the engine. I would do this but I just don't have time. I also think simply giving out flyers to make the group heard of would be great too.
Indianapolis Railroad - Indy Rail! Route of the Brickyard Flyer! Established 1976.
Beach Bill The statement of "She was heavily restored; some says better than challenger 3985, but she was forget in the museum after the decision of NS" would be heavily argued by the management and volunteers of the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke. 1218 has neither been forgotten or neglected. 1218 is displayed under roof and has quality paint as well as appropriate signage to help visitors appreciate the locomotive. The 1218 was under heavy restoration when the decision was made to stop the steam program, so re-assembly for the return to Roanoke was not done with the same level of care that would have occurred for operation. Restoration to operation would be costly, but it is far from unworkable. Bill (former resident of Roanoke and 30yr member of the VMT)
Thank you very much for your answer and I'm really sure the staff of volunteers work hard to keep her in a really good state and able may be to ride again.
I know she was transfered back to Roanoke whith not all the care she hardly deserve.
And saying to put it back in operation is a workable possibility ( no mention of the money needed) give me peace to the hope there is a chance.
I promiss You, if she come back, I come immediately to US in Roanoke!!
A comment on the "Fire Up 1218" campaign...
In Detroit, there has been a story about a man who walks 20 miles to work everyday for a couple dozen years and has a perfect attendance history. Some student at a local college (who didn't know the man) started a 'Go Fund Me' site to help raise money for him to buy a car; I guess it's a website where people can ask for money for certain things. I think the original goal was $25,000. Donations came in across the country totaling more than $225,000! On top of that, a local Ford dealer donated a car to him...I heard the guy may use that money to buy a house closer to work, and he has a brand new car to boot!
Maybe someone can start a Go Fund Me site for the 1218?
I recall someone making a comment about how one of those super rich people (Mr. Gates, or someone like that) could easily pay for most rebuilding programs in the entire country at once and not dent his pocketbook too much...imagine if all those rich people, stars and athletes got together and pooled their money to save some American history...we'd see a lot more operational steam and old locomotives (not to mention diesels and rolling stock) come back to life. I know it's a pipe dream but it's nice to dream about! (and all those people would have a nice legacy to carry on their names too...if only modern railroads and the lawyers would allow steam on the rails again)
I remember riding behind 614, 611, and 1218 when I was younger...there's nothing like hearing a big steam loco echo off of buildings as it starts up a long excursion train...I almost forget what it sounds like, but it still gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. :)
Railfanning those were fun! Waiting sometimes for hours at our 'secret' location then seeing the headlight in the distance and the cloud of smoke and hearing a faint whistle...then as it grew bigger, and louder, picking the final photo composition and waiting for it to fill the viewfinder and take the shot, then put the camera down to see it thunder by at track speed in a few seconds. Smelling the coal smoke, feeling the bass of the exhaust shake my body and feel the train shake the ground...no question, one of the most memorable things of my childhood. I didn't grow up in the 'good ol' days, but I sure do miss them!
http://delray1967.shutterfly.com/pictures/5
SEMI Free-Mo@groups.io
delray1967I remember riding behind 614, 611, and 1218 when I was younger...there's nothing like hearing a big steam loco echo off of buildings as it starts up a long excursion train...I almost forget what it sounds like, but it still gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. :)
Hi Delray,
You could'nt know how much I understand what you are meaning.
Her in Europe except Deutchland there are very, very few steam locomotives running again.
All the preservation cost and maintenance are nearly all private and are more to the light budget than the higher.
In my own country, the national company, SNCB, has nearly scrapped everything they could, the same fate of the N&W around 1960, nearly nothing was preserved and we have had famous European steam locomotives extremly efficient whith a really upside engenering research, Walschaert is one of the most know around the world including in US design for is system of steam distribution and there is another Belgian one.
After 60 years steam was extingished, we finaly build the first national train museum here in Brussels. He will open in ....2016! Many of the materials which will go in the museum is poorly preserved and need some cosmetics touch to be exposed!
Two or three locomotives are still running for Belgian, but one come from Poland, and I beleive one from Deutchland. They are just the same type of class used in Belgian but not the originals.
I know you have many chance in Us to still have some big steam preserved, some able to run again some probably not.
What I have try to tell in this topic and I give my apologies to the Roanoke guys who preserve for sure 1218, and hope like us to see 1218 running again, is, you have a locomotive which was quiet well preserved, even restored; 1218 was running until the 90's; and seeing what we have done here in Belgium, it seems to me so sadly to see a nearly running locomotives such a class A, put in a museum just because a buisiness consideration.
Of course this kind of project cost money, lot of money, but as you say it's our history, and viewing the success from all across the sea, from here in Europe to US when a steam is riding, we need to give a chance to such a locomotive could ride again.
I'm sure when UP Big Boy 4014 will make his first run, you will not be able to approach her because of the lot of people coming see it
And why not, one of us could ask Mr Gates to envisage to repair 1218......