SOUDERTON, Pa. — The Railroad & Industrial Preservation Society continues to gain financial support for its restoration of the last surviving Lehigh & New England Railroad diesel locomotive.
The society announced today (Jan. 23) that the Berkheimer Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant to advance restoration of former L&NE Alco S2 No. 611. This follows a $10,000 grant from Norfolk Southern received earlier this month [see “Norfolk Southern grant to help …,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 7, 2025].
The locomotive, built in 1948, operated on the L&NE until it shut down in 1961, and was used to scrap portions of the railroad. It later worked for the Ford Motor Co. at its River Rouge steel mill, then was operated by a grain mill in Indiana. Acquired by the society in 2021, it is under restoration at the Allentown & Auburn Rialroad in Topton, Pa., and will be returned to its original 1948 appearance.
“It’s somewhat incredible No. 611 has survived this long,” society co-foiunder Rob Davis said in a press release, “and we are grateful that the Berkheimer Foundation shares our passion for preserving the locomotive as an operating touchstone to the area’s rich industrial history.”
The latest grant was arranged by the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. The Berkheimer Foundation, of Pen Argyl, Pa., supports a wide variety of causes. Its treasurer, Henry Sandt, said that the grant reflects the fact that No. 611 was assigned to the local rail yard for many years. “The locomotive is an important artifact of local history that will connect the pride of the slate belt’s past with future generations,” Sandt said. “We have partnered with the Lehigh Valley Chapter from the beginning of this project.”
Said Jim Rowland, president of the Lehigh Valley NRHS chapter, “We originally were approached by the fledgling L&NE Preservation Society about partnering with them to save No. 611 a decade ago. Our group was the only historical society that both acknowledged the historic value of the unit and was willing to take the risk to save it. We had the unwavering support from the Berkheimer Foundation from the beginning. We are grateful that they continue supporting the restoration of this irreplaceable artifact.”
