im curious about this engine. class A fans will know that this is the engine that was involved in a wreck in Nolan, Virginia, which resulted in a boiler explosion on july 7, 1942. of course, the engine was destroyed in the blast. it happened close to a house and crushed the owners car beyond recognition. i see 1204 in other, years later, photos. i thought it would simply be written off the books and never seen again. so does the railroad just build another 1204 i guess? i would think there would be very few, if any, parts suitable to go with a new boiler. the tender was probably salvaged, just wondering about this.......
I have no direct knowledge of the engine you are talking about, however, having viewed a number of damaged engines of all varieties, both steam and diesel, you would be amazed at what can be economically rebuilt from what, to the outside observer, would appear to be total losses. It is amazing what craftsmanship, time and money can accomplish. The biggest determinant as to the rebuildablity of any article is the condition of the basic frame of the equipment. If the frame is straight and only has minimal damage, the equipment is rebuildable....the next determinant then becomes what is the cost of all the other parts and pieces that are necessary to have the equipment operable. If those costs are less than what is required to purchase a replacement piece of equipment then the economic move is to rebuild the equipment.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Look when the accident occured. WW2 when anything that could TURN A WHEEL DID. They more than likely dragged the remains back to Roanoke told the Backshop Get on her do not stop til she is a runner again. Come on in WW2 if there was a engine in the dead lines it was because it was the PARTS SOURCE FOR THE FLEET. IIRC I read that engines built BEFORE WW1 were rebuilt and returned to service. Heck on Freight cars and Passenger cars it was even worse.
This is a guess on my part, I agree with BaltACD. The running gear was probably salvageable with little work as long as it stayed on or near the track. Typically the boiler is blown off the running gear without much structural damage to the frames and wheels. Most of the accessories (FWH, air pumps, generator, stoker...) were also probably salvageable. Making a new boiler wasn't much of a job for Roanoke, because an A was probably in production at one time or another. Maybe they were able to divert boiler pieces from a new order to 1204's rebuild, and add another boiler to the end of the in-process construction order.
This entire story is related in Ed King's book "The A, Norfolk & Western's Mercedes of Steam" beginning on page 96 (Revised Ed.). She was rebuilt and later scrapped in Dec. '58.
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i will be looking for that book. i have the first one, and had forgotten about the new edition. thanks..
Page 86 in the first edition.
Jim, i goofed, i have n & w "giant of steam" instead of the A books. i can now tell its going to be a challenge finding these books. always been fascinated with the norfolk and western. the seach begins now! thanks for your help....
Go here to find "The A" book: http://www.nwhs.org/commissary/books-nwhs.html
Jimmy
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