Officials with the St. Louis museum; the Virginia Museum of Transportation, where it will be displayed for five years; and Norfolk Southern tell Trains News Wire that the engine was recently moved out of its display site and was inspected by Union Pacific, which owns the tracks that connect the museum to the outside world. Although the locomotive itself passed inspection, its friction bearings still need to be inspected and lubricated, according to St. Louis cultural site manager Molly Butterworth. NS spokesman Robin Chapman also tells Trains News Wire that there are still some additional support cars that need to be put in place before the engine can make the trip east.
Earlier this year, NS and the two museums announced a deal that would see No. 2156, which was built in 1942, be loaned out to the Virginia group for five years. In return, St. Louis would host the General Motors EMD FTB demonstrator unit to complement the museum’s FTA unit. NS facilitated the transaction.
When the engine does move off museum grounds, the St. Louis Terminal Railroad will move it for 16 miles over UP trackage and across the Mississippi River to East St. Louis where it will be interchanged with NS.
It is still unclear what route the locomotive will take on NS east of St. Louis. Chapman says those details will be released at a later date.
Officials with both museums say the exchange is an exciting opportunity for everyone involved.
“The (St. Louis) Museum of Transportation is fortunate to have one of the most largest and most important collections of steam locomotives in the world, and the Norfolk & Western Y6a is an incredibly significant member of that collection,” Butterworth says. “The trip this locomotive will take over a half-century after it was donated to us is exciting, and we are already looking forward to its trip home to the Museum of Transportation in 2019.”
For more information about the St. Louis Museum of Transportation, or how to donate, go to www.transportationmuseumassociation.org. For information about the Virginia Museum of Transportation, or how to donate, go to www.vmt.org.
I agree with those who feel that an example of all three classes [J,A,Y] should rightfully reside in Roanoke, the city of their birth; this befits the heritage of the Norfolk and Western. As for restoration, NS is certainly more in a position to do this than the MofT. However, the following must be considered:
1. The 1218 would still be ahead of the Y6 in line for any restoration; 2. certain issues, such as the Y6's cracked frame would have to be addressed; 3. since the Y6 was designed to haul heavy coal drags at snail-like speeds, it would be both impractical and enormously expensive to operate in any excursion capacity, thus there are arguments stacked up against its restoration before it even arrives.
Nonetheless, It will be glad to see it "home", and I hope arrangements can be made to keep it there.
Many people keep wanting more steam locomotives restored. But where are they all going to run? I have a fear that there are too many locomotives for NS to use, especially with 611 coming back next year! All that means is that there will be less money in the future for everyone to maintain their locomotives, unless they ALL can pull a lot of excursions, either NS employee only or public.
This needs to stay in Roanoke and be restored to operation. Maybe a long term funding program could gather up some donations? Of course I/we do not know the actual condition of the engine itself mechanically. I hope the two groups can work something out over the next 5 years to the satisfaction of both and keep this Roanoke engine in Roanoke.
WAbash E-8 is 1009 , 10000 EMD unit built
I will miss number 2156. She was always one of my favorite locomotives at the museum. I wish 1522 could be reborn and ply the rails once again as well.
I sure hope this moves through Louisville, KY. We have been totally excluded from any steam program recently.
I agree 100% with Mr. Blackwood. A N&W Y6b belongs in Roanoke where it actually worked and Wabash certainly belongs in St. Louis where it worked. I hope in the next 5 years the preceding will be understood for its historical association in these respective locations and a permanent location agreement will be drawn up.
Please hire copyeditors who know the difference between "its" and "it's." We all learned this in high school. 🙂
I believe the Wabash E8 is numbered 1009, not 1008
Or, in the case of its, in grade school.
I recommend MofT trade the Y6a to VMT for the FTB and Wabash E8 #1008. What better place for #2156 to be home in Roanoke where she was built, and to complete the gathering of the magnificent three – Y6a, J, and A. As for #1008, she frequented the tracks and sheds of STL Union Station, and STL was the HQ city for the Wabash. Of course, FTB should be mated with an FTA as they were in real life.
Since the VMT will have an A, J, and Y on their property it would be nice to have all three restored to operation. I mentioned this to Preston Claytor while attending the Streamliners at Spencer event. That would be a huge accomplishment and would attract visitors and contributions from all over the world. I'd pay for the entire thing myself if I had the $ to do it. Are there any friends of Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, or Elon Musk within the readership of this webpage?
It would be more precise to say the plain bearings on the 2156's tender need to be inspected and lubricated. Per Jeffrey's "N&W: Giant of Steam" the Y6a engines had roller bearings on all engine axles. I visited the National Museum of Transport back in 2008 and I was glad to see the 2156 looking good and under cover. Please keep up the good work on the preservation scene!