Join the discussion on the following article:
Museums, railroads prepare to move N&W 2-8-8-2 to Roanoke
Please hire copyeditors who know the difference between “its” and “it’s.” We all learned this in high school. 
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!
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?
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.
Or, in the case of its, in grade school.
I believe the Wabash E8 is numbered 1009, not 1008
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.
I sure hope this moves through Louisville, KY. We have been totally excluded from any steam program recently.
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.
WAbash E-8 is 1009 , 10000 EMD unit built
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.
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.
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:
- 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.