Electro-Motive Division BL2 No. 52
On a picture perfect Saturday Sept. 2, 2023, the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum’s refurbished Electro-Motive Division BL2 No. 52, made three round-trip runs from North Judson to English Lake, Ind. The museum’s mechanical department, led by Mechanic Travis Hunt, has worked on returning the locomotive to service for over two years. Former Bangor and Aroostook Railroad BL2 Nos. 52 and 56 arrived at the museum on May 20, 2021. They are owned by Ken Davenport of South Carolina. Sister unit No 56 will eventually receive attention after Monon SW1 No. 50 is returned to service. Read more about it in the News Wire post.
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum President Todd Flanigan and Fireman Travis Hunt ride in former Bangor & Aroostook BL2 No. 52 on its first run since a restoration at the museum in North Judson, Ind., shown South of English Lake, Ind., on Sept. 2, 2023. Steve Smedley
Visiting railfans photograph the return trip of BL2 52 as it crosses Mulberry Street at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Ind., on Saturday Sept. 2, 2023. Sister BL2 No. 56 sits awaiting an eventual trip to the shop. Steve Smedley
Hoosier Valley Railroad BL2 No. 52 is backing out of North Judson, Ind., on its third and final debut run to English Lake, Ind., on Sept. 2023. The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is seeking donations to install a new set of fabricated steel stairs for Grasselli Tower, shown in the background. The Step-By-Step fundraiser can be found on the museum website. Steve Smedley
Hoosier Valley Railroad BL2 No. 52 is backing out of North Judson, Ind., on its third and final debut run to English Lake, Ind., on Sept. 2, 2023. The shop building is at right where restoration work was completed on No. 52. Steve Smedley
Hoosier Valley Railroad BL2 No. 52 is shown on former Chesapeake & Ohio trackage on its third and final debut run returning to North Judson, Ind., on Sept. 2, 2023. Steve Smedley
Railroad Photographer and Author John Eagan photographs mechanic Travis Hunt standing alongside Hoosier Valley Railroad BL2 No. 52 prior to the first of three debut runs to is backing out of North Judson, Ind., on its third and final debut run to English Lake, Ind., on Sept. 2, 2023.
