On July 16 and 17, staff at the Age of Steam Roundhouse completed a test run of Morehead & North Fork No. 12, an 0-6-0 built by Alco in 1916. The locomotive began its career with the Southern Railway, but became better known for its long service life on the Morehead & North Folk Railroad.
Age of Steam officials said in a news release that No. 12 had sentimental value to the museum’s founder, Jerry Joe Jacobson. Jacobson saw the locomotive in revenue service in the 1960s and purchased it for the collection in 2011.
“[Jerry] authorized the loco’s total rebuild before he passed away in September 2017,” said museum official John B. Corns, “Jerry would have been very happy and proud to see No. 12 under steam once again.”
The extensive restoration included replacing 196 flexible staybolts, sleeves, and caps; replacing 292 boiler tubes, repairs and rehabilitation of the running gear and slide valves; a new tender tank, and inspection and cleaning of other components.
After slowly building steam, museum staff took No. 12 on several runs back-and-forth across the museum grounds. It is the first time the locomotive has moved under its own power since the 1960s.
No. 12 is the first steam locomotive that the Age of Steam has rehabilitated from a non-functioning state. The staff will continue to fine-tune its repairs and new components in the following weeks.
