Well, I am just about done with school and coaching this year. Only have 24 days left, but in all it's been quite busy the last few months. I've been really trying to make time in the layout room but it has not happened lately. I rewarded myself last Sunday with a trainshow over in the Shenandoah Valley. I believe these small shows are the jewels of trainshows. You can find a bunch of junk at them, but on the other hand, you can find some real bargains, if you look. Talking down prices always seems to work also. Last year at this show, I bought an Atlas Trainman RS32 that's now the yellow VC #106 for $30. This year was no different. Got a Proto 2000 SW900/1200 for $30, and 3 of the Micromark "Switch Tenders" for $24. I've never tried the Switch Tenders but at that price, I had too. These are under the table machines for turnouts. They are brand new and sell for $16 each.
I also did some railfanning on the way back. First stop was the Shenandoah Valley Railroad in nearby Staunton, VA. Heard they had a Alco they were restoring and wanted to get some pics of their locomotives. The SVRR is a small railroad paralleling I-81 and running north from Staunton. It serves several industries along the way. They are owned by Durbin and Greenbriar Valley RR, the same company that owns the tourist railroads in West Virginia. I was in for a treat!
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| The SVRR #40 has been there work horse for years. GP-9 I believe. |
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| Believe this is there newest loco. Ex-KTR GP-9 |
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| The Alco I was looking for. Lots of rebuilt stuff on this including trucks, fuel tanks, and pilots. This RS-11 was Ex-Maine Central. |
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| SVRR #8701 Whitcomb |
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| the other end of #367 |
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| Closeup of the nose |
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| Some sun on the #6512 |
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| Roster shot |
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| The other side of the Alco |
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| Cab view |
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| Most shortlines have cabooses and the SVRR is no different. This is an old faded blue "For Progress" C&O caboose. |
So close...think of yourself as Lando Calrissian flying the Milennium Falcon through the superstructure of the second Death Star... The end of year is the reactor core..... Almost there.
ReplyDeleteThat RS11 367 was actually ex-Maine Coast, which was a shortline that operated the Maine Central's Rockland Branch for the State of Maine between 1990 and 2000. The locomotive started out as Norfolk & Western interestingly enough, so I guess it closer to it's original home now! Anyway, thanks for sharing. Nice to see how that loco is looking these days.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see a roster of 1st Gen Locos still running about! Thanks for sharing!
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