Little and a lot BIGGER! Inside the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum's restoration building on this day, we find Plymouth BL #1 and Fairbanks-Morse H12-44 #1843 on track #8. These pictures give you an idea of the size difference between the two locomotives. While #1843 looks huge compared to the #1, the #1843 would be considered a small locomotive when compared to the road locomotives in use today.
Warming up... Here we see #1843 in the building keeping warm as the engine was going to be needed the following weekend. Foam insulation panels and a tarp cover the radiators to keep the heat generated by an electric block heater in. Normally, the R&GVRRM's larger engines are not used over the winter since some of them are water cooled, however, the #1843 has anti-freeze so it can be warmed, pre-lubed and started if needed. Keeping the engine inside of the building out of the wind and snow really helped! Another benefit of having a working restoration shop. Eventually this location in the building will hold the inspection pit. The museum continues to raise funds through its "Building Tracks to the Future" capital campaign fund. Can you help us with a donation today?
