Empire State Express cars delivered to R&GVRRM

Out of the house... Today marked the day that the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum was taking delivery of its seven ex-New York Central Railroad 'Empire State Express' cars which had spent many years operating on the Ontario Midland Railroad. Here we see R&GVRR #1654 pulling a warm and pre-lubed #1843 from the restoration building to get the #1843 started as both engines would be needed in the car delivery. With a puff of white smoke, #1843 roared to life and both engines set out for the day's work.

Its empty now... To handle the incoming passenger cars, the R&GVRRM moved all of the cars stored in its new restoration building north yard into storage on the museum mainline leaving the yard ready to accept the passenger cars.

RPO delivered... Along with six coaches, the R&GVRRM owns one of the two Railway Post Office (RPO) cars from the original "Empire State Express." Here we see NYC 5021, the "Alonzo B. Cornell" as it comes in and then heads up the hill to storage in the upper yard. Tied on to the north end of the #1843 was the museum's restored Erie caboose #C254. This was used to give the crews a place to warm up in between car moves.

Last car comes in... The last of the seven cars heads for track #4 in Industry yard with R&GVRR #1654 leading the way. The car will soon head to storage in the upper yard.

More Plymouth BL progress

The Plymouth BL now has its replica side covers frames installed on both sides of the engine. These will eventually be covered with steel. In the background is the museum's 45-tonner, RG&E #1941, which was receiving prime mover and other work.

Starting up the Fairbanks-Morse

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?