ndbprrDidn't N&W purchase the last steam engine from a manufacturer? I believe it was an 0-8-0 switcher.
L LASKOWSKI ndbprr Didn't N&W purchase the last steam engine from a manufacturer? I believe it was an 0-8-0 switcher. I thought the N&W bought up a group of nearly new C&O 0-8-0s which eliminated the need to build further copiies of the N&W 0-8-0
ndbprr Didn't N&W purchase the last steam engine from a manufacturer? I believe it was an 0-8-0 switcher.
I thought the N&W bought up a group of nearly new C&O 0-8-0s which eliminated the need to build further copiies of the N&W 0-8-0
N&W bought 30 almost brand new Baldwin 0-8-0 switchers from C&O in 1948. The N&W was so satisfied with these engines, basically built to USRA specs,that the railroad but 45 near copies in it's Roanoke shops between 1951-1953.
The final engine of that order was the last new steam locomotive built for Class 1 service in the United States, a few years after the Big 3 locomotive builders had stopped building steam for the domestic market.
That shows how committed Norfolk & Western was to steam power into the 50's but very soon afterwards the road reversed course and started to buy Alco and Emd diesels..
"I Often Dream of Trains"-From the Album of the Same Name by Robyn Hitchcock
It wasn't in 1948 actually. That's the year that they were built by Baldwin.
The sale to N&W after C&O changed their motive power course was 1950.
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