“NEW” ENGINE ARRIVES AT THE WHITEWATER VALLEY RAILROAD TO HELP OUT THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE(tm)!
Rare Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Locomotive Donated to local Railroad Museum!
Connersville, IN – The arrival of Engine #346 has been eagerly awaited by the volunteers of the Whitewater Valley Railroad Museum. The engine began its trip from Port Amherst West Virginia a few weeks ago and has traveled through Columbus, Ohio and Fort Wayne, IN on its way to Connersville just in time for the Day Out With Thomas event hosted by Whitewater Valley Railroad as well as the railroad’s 30th Anniversary of train operations. The non-profit railroad was founded in late 1973 with the intention of providing excursions along the Whitewater River to Metamora, Indiana. Trains started to run the spring of 1974. More information about the organization and the history of the line can be found on the railroad’s website: www.whitewatervalleyrr.org The Whitewater Valley Railroad is an operating railroad museum dedicated to the preservation of a historic branch line railroad, to the restoration of railroad equipment, and to the conduct of railroad educational programs.
The shining orange and black locomotive is a Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton S12 diesel switcher. It was built in 1951 for the Patapsco & Back Rivers Railroad where it worked until 1976 when it was transferred to Bethlehem Mines near Charleston, West Va. It was sold to Amherst Industries soon after where the engine was repainted and used to transfer coal cars inside the terminal. It last pulled coal cars around the Amherst terminal last summer. Mr. Charles Jones of Amherst Industries donated this engine and a sister unit to the Whitewater Valley Railroad. The donation itself was most welcomed, but surprisingly he also provided the use of his company’s cranes in order change the engine to roller bearings for the movement. He also allowed the use of his heated engine house so that Whitewater Valley volunteers could prepare the engine for the trip. This involved installing rebuilt brake components, brake shoes, and minor lubrication.
The railroad had hoped the engine would arrive in time to be used for this year’s Day Out With Thomas which is key museum fundraising event. It provides a unique family experience with a variety of entertaining activities including a Thomas trip, pony rides, a petting zoo, children’s games, numerous displays, miniature golf, music, and cowboys.
Tickets for a Day Out With Thomas are $14 and are now on sale at the railroad and are also available by calling toll-free 866.468.7630 or logging onto www.whitewatervalleyrr.org For more information and directions contact the Whitewater Valley Railroad at 765-825-2054 or www.whitewatervalleyrr.org .
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Rare Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Locomotive Donated to local Railroad Museum!
Connersville, IN – The arrival of Engine #346 has been eagerly awaited by the volunteers of the Whitewater Valley Railroad Museum. The engine began its trip from Port Amherst West Virginia a few weeks ago and has traveled through Columbus, Ohio and Fort Wayne, IN on its way to Connersville just in time for the Day Out With Thomas event hosted by Whitewater Valley Railroad as well as the railroad’s 30th Anniversary of train operations. The non-profit railroad was founded in late 1973 with the intention of providing excursions along the Whitewater River to Metamora, Indiana. Trains started to run the spring of 1974. More information about the organization and the history of the line can be found on the railroad’s website: www.whitewatervalleyrr.org The Whitewater Valley Railroad is an operating railroad museum dedicated to the preservation of a historic branch line railroad, to the restoration of railroad equipment, and to the conduct of railroad educational programs.
The shining orange and black locomotive is a Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton S12 diesel switcher. It was built in 1951 for the Patapsco & Back Rivers Railroad where it worked until 1976 when it was transferred to Bethlehem Mines near Charleston, West Va. It was sold to Amherst Industries soon after where the engine was repainted and used to transfer coal cars inside the terminal. It last pulled coal cars around the Amherst terminal last summer. Mr. Charles Jones of Amherst Industries donated this engine and a sister unit to the Whitewater Valley Railroad. The donation itself was most welcomed, but surprisingly he also provided the use of his company’s cranes in order change the engine to roller bearings for the movement. He also allowed the use of his heated engine house so that Whitewater Valley volunteers could prepare the engine for the trip. This involved installing rebuilt brake components, brake shoes, and minor lubrication.
The railroad had hoped the engine would arrive in time to be used for this year’s Day Out With Thomas which is key museum fundraising event. It provides a unique family experience with a variety of entertaining activities including a Thomas trip, pony rides, a petting zoo, children’s games, numerous displays, miniature golf, music, and cowboys.
Tickets for a Day Out With Thomas are $14 and are now on sale at the railroad and are also available by calling toll-free 866.468.7630 or logging onto www.whitewatervalleyrr.org For more information and directions contact the Whitewater Valley Railroad at 765-825-2054 or www.whitewatervalleyrr.org .
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