The locomotives have been stored on the Shenandoah Valley Railroad in Staunton, Va., for more than 15 years and will soon be moved to The Vintage Locomotive Society Inc., the operator of the Prairie Dog Central Railway in Winnipeg. The locomotives have been acquired for use in one or more steam excursion operations, but will remain in storage at Winnipeg while future operating plans and commitments are under review.
The two steamers operated tourist excursions on the ex-Chesapeake & Ohio Hot Springs Branch, a 15-mile line connecting Covington, Va., with the Hot Springs Resort. Under the leadership of Jack Showalter, Nos. 1238 and 1286 would lead occasional trips on former C&O main lines, including a 1983 trip to the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.
In addition to the two steam locomotives, five passenger cars will go to the North Carolina Transportation Museum. Those cars include three 1948-built Pullman coaches for the Grand Trunk Western, an ex-Baltimore & Ohio diner, and ex- U.S. Army diner. The Spencer, N.C.-based museum intends to place the B&O diner into service for the museum’s widely popular 2015 Polar Express excursions later this year. Each of the cars will receive additional renovations as time permits.
The three remaining passenger cars in Showalter’s Virginia Central collection, ex-RF&P heavyweights, will go to Roanoke’s Virginia Museum of Transportation for restoration.
Showalter, an influential tourist railroad operator and steam preservationist died in November 2014.
I was there last week to witness, and photograph, the locomotives and tenders being loaded onto four-truck flatcars just outside Staunton, VA, at the Shenandoah Valley Railroad yard. Real once-in-a-lifetime experience. Should point out that the Allegheny Central didn't operate from Covington, VA to Hot Springs Resort, but from Intervale VA to a point just short of the resort's property line. Hot Springs Resort wouldn't allow Jack's trains onto their property, and I think they missed a golden opportunity. Also, the Virginia Central operated out of Staunton, Virginia, not Covington. Finally, the two Pacifics didn't spend all 40 years in Virginia, but operated out of Ridgeley, West Virginia, for Jack's Allegany Central Railroad, now the Western Maryland Scenic, in 1989 and 1990.
I remember riding behind 1286 on the Ma & Pa in the 1960's
Wow I have been worried about these. I am happy they will be saved. Hopefully they can get back operating in the future. However, I hope they don't cut into my favorite loco in Canada (BC Hydro #3)'s operational usage.
Jacob
This is quite a change for the Prairie Dog Central, which for many years ran a nice 4-4-0 built in Scotland. I never experienced the Virginia Central, but did ride a diesel train on Prairie Dog Central in 2000. I also rode behind a sister 1246 at Steamtown USA in 1969, which was refreshing to me, having grown up at the end of steam operations where 4-6-2s were rare.
Hate to see them leave the Old Dominion, but at least they're going back to their real home.
This is great news. My wife and I were married in 1976 aboard Jack's train at the Intervale station just outside Covington; the 4-hour reception that followed while the train rolled up the line and back will never be forgotten by those on board. In the 38 years since, my wife hasn't been able to say she didn't know I was a railfan!
One of the hallmarks of Jack Showalter and his family was that they were always willing to share their railroad with others. You were always welcome in the cab of Jack's locomotive and on his train. One of my fondest recollections is Jack operating the locomotive with a 4-year-old child sitting on his lap. I doubt she will ever forget it either. That was the way he was. Thanks, Jack.
Glad to see that the locomotives and all the passenger cars are being saved and none are to be scrapped. In 1976 I personally met Jack Showalter when he has his operation out of Covington. At the time, I was 16 and had already been firing oil burning logging locomotives at a RR museum in Snoqualmie, WA. After I told Mr Showalter this he said, "kid your riding the cab as my guest". This was the first and to date, the only time I every rode the cab of a mainline coal fired steam locomotive, even though I have rode in the cab of many oil burning main line locomotives. I continue to volunteer as an Engineer/Fireman for the Mt. Rainier Scenic RR and I am the Volunteer Coordinator and an advisor for the Polson Musuem on the restoration of Polson Logging #45, both here in WA state.
Charity Search Engines as a new source of funds.
Sorry to see them go, but at least they're going to a good home. Best of luck with them Prairie Dog Central!
These two beautiful Canadian steam engines, G5 4-6-2's #1238 an # 1286, were subject of my first rail tourist excursions in the mid 1970's, found quite my accident on my early visits to CASS. Passing through Covington, Va.on US 220 where we happenstanced upon the then ALLEGHENY CENTRAL and Mr Jack Showalter and family. Being tourist didn't hold Jack back from being very gracious and accommodating, with free cab rides for the asking and detailed information to the rail curious. In 1980 I approached him about recording videos of his operation for his use and he was very agreeable to the idea, which didn't pan out . His trip on the main line as stated here to the Greenbrier was well received with these engines and regular one way trips to the end of his line were thrilling experiences.
Years later, the Covington site eventually succumbed and Jack relocated his equipment and began operation at Cumberland, Maryland, where he ran excursions and also had his rail stock stored in a yard. By chance my family ran across his operations and he most graciously invited us to carefully inspect his equipment after a trip and at the yard to our hearts content.
Jack Showalter was a man of manners and intelligence to the rail community and with these two Canadian engines still viable for future rail excursions shows his dedication to the preservation of steam history for future generations. Thanking you Mr. Showalter. …….. David Hamilton
I remember riding behind these two engines from Charlottesville to Clifton Forge back in 1993 during the brief Virginia Central era. I'm glad to see they are going to be preserved and heading toward home territory. It seems to be a growing trend for locomotives to be "going home"
At least the collection is saved and not scrapped.