6 axle relics of Roanoke

E.M. Bell · November 02, 2011, 10:50:14 PM

The Virginia Transportation Museum in Roanoke is well known for its collection of external combustion N&W motive power, but they also have some rare examples of N&W's internal combustion relics.

While there Two weeks ago for a photo shoot, we took the opportunity to stop by and get a few shots of the N&W Alco C630, and the Bicentennial SD45, both of which are normally under cover and not in a position for photography. The displays have been moved around a bit, and we found both of these units sitting in the sunlight, along with the B unit from the EMD FT series demo set.

http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/shorts11

N&W SD45 #1776, which the museum is seeking funds to repaint.

N&W 1135, Alco C630...the no-nonsense look of this unit is stunning to me, and its BIG. You don't realize the size of a C630 until you get next to one, and that high hood just makes it better.

And the B Unit from the FT demo set.

mbgphoto79 · November 03, 2011, 12:33:42 AM

Love the 1776. One of the more subtle Bicentennial paint jobs of the class 1's of the time. The ring of stars on the short hood are a nice touch, as is the blue paint all the way down to the coupler.

Kentucky & Indiana Terminal RR · November 03, 2011, 01:32:49 AM

I agree, thats a beautiful bicentennial paint job, and my goodness thats a lot of alco!!!! That is a monster.

Ed Fury · November 03, 2011, 06:12:55 PM

What would a repaint cost?

Matt L · November 03, 2011, 07:56:47 PM

Quote from: E.M. Bell on November 02, 2011, 10:50:14 PM
N&W 1135, Alco C630...the no-nonsense look of this unit is stunning to me, and its BIG. You don't realize the size of a C630 until you get next to one, and that high hood just makes it better.

WOW!!! A couple of NY shortlines (the B&H and WNYP) have 6 axle Alcos but the high nose N&W is in a class all by herself. Amazing!

nsgelocos · November 03, 2011, 10:16:13 PM

I was up there at the VMT a couple of years back. The SD45 is pretty gutted. None the less, the cab equipment is still in there. I was looking at Google Earth one day and found the museum on there and could see that SD45 on the satellite view with the fan shrouds empty

Ptrainman · November 04, 2011, 12:16:51 PM

Would be nice to see either one of these beast run again, but I doubt that will ever happen. They are some nice looking engines though.

Paul

Matt L · November 04, 2011, 05:58:53 PM

Quote from: Ptrainman on November 04, 2011, 12:16:51 PM
Would be nice to see either one of these beast run again, but I doubt that will ever happen. They are some nice looking engines though.

The 251 prime mover in the C636 is a tough beast. A good mechanic good get her running again pretty easily.