N&W 2156 in St. Louis

[NW Mailing List]

On Feb 17, 2008 12:06 AM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:


> Its the red-headed step child just like the Y3 at IRM in Union, IL. Well,

> with the exception that someone cares enough that its undercover and got

> paint years ago.



There was a movement back in the '80s to bring the Y back to Roanoke to join
the A and the J, then in excursion service (this was under Bob Claytor, when
things were done to make the bossman happy*).  From what I understand (and
there are those here whom I'm sure have more details), the deal was all but
struck to return the engine "home" to Roanoke. NS would handle the move and
I believe the VMT was involved. The deal breaker came from the St. Louis
end, when the museum folks there wanted NS to post a ridiculously high
performance bond to cover the move east. NS balked at the demand and the
project died.  I still have a "Free the Y" bumper sticker in a drawer here
somewhere -- if I can lay my hands on it, I'll scan it this week and drop it
in the files/photos section of the group.

*Again, just my view from the fringes, there are those inside who know
better (as with any era of N&W/NS history) the darker and political side of
things -- but still a part of the history and culture of the railroad. My
understanding is that there were N&W/SOU/NS people who all but worshiped the
ground the Claytor brothers walked on, others who were supportive of Bob
Claytor and the steam program, those who did what they had to do, and those
who resented the whole thing and were quite put out over having to deal with
excursions and all that went with them. Some of this may have been lingering
resentment from the BRAC strike when the "Red Baron" was moving coal to
Norfolk while he was also trying to break the strike.

Bruce in Blacksburg
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