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| We are pleased to announce two new stablemates for the KS #5473 and NP #2661, NKP 2-8-4 Berkshire type #763 and Chesapeake and Ohio 2-4-8 Kanawha type #2716. These two locomotives have undergone a complete rebuild at the Stetler Steam Shops and are in almost-like-new condition Both engines have been given updated communications and diagnostic equipment and are based out of Whitefish. |
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| Chesapeake and Ohio K-4 Kanawha (2-8-4) #2716 This big Kanawha was outshopped by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in 1944. Following the lead of the Nickel Plate Road, the C&O purchased 40 of the big 4-8-2's in 1943. 14 were delivered that year, the remaining 26 arrived the following year. These giants of the rails weighed (with tender) around 425 tons even with 69" drivers could easily reach 50mph with a fast freight train on relativly level ground. Not limited to freight, the K-4's saw service at the head end of C&O's most prestigious passenger trains, and kept them on schedule throughout their careers Retired before their time, twelve of these magnificant engines surive today. Officialy, the 2716 is on permanant loan from the Kentuky Railway Museam. Did you know? The 2716 was known for a few years as Southern 2716! She was a part of the Southern Railways Excursion fleet in from 1981-1982. She was known for her power and speed and traveled hundreds of miles over the Southern system hauling capacity railway excusions. Footage of thse movements can be glimpsed in National Geographic's Love Those Trains. Now resplendant once again in her C&O livery, this powerfull 2-8-4 is now our primary excursion engine. The Kanawha is rotated for both freight and passenger service on the Kootenai and Riverside Divisions with limited service on the Marias Division. In addition she is the primary power for the Whitefish-Belton "To Glacier by Steam" Excursions, sponsered montly by the Western Montana Railroad Club.She is also the only engine on the KS with it's own theme song! The Osborne Brothers version of "Rocky Top"! |
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| Nickel Plate Road S-2 Berkshire (2-8-4) #763 The New York, Chicago & St. Lois Railroad (NKP) was one of the first roads to use the 2-8-4 wheel arraingment. Rolled ouf of the Lima factory in 1944, the S-2 is a fine example of "Superpower" steam. Named for the Berkshire mountains, these versitile locomotives saw both freight and passenger service on the rails of the Nickel Plate. The 763 is a cousin to the more powerful (64,100lbs tractive effort vs. 69,350lbs) and larger (428,00lbs locomotive weight vs.460,00lbs) C&O 2716. Kept in reserve as back up to the 2716, the NKP beauty sees occasionial freight service on the Riverside and Kootenai Divisions. During "Super Steam Weekend" in the fall of 2005, she doubleheaded with 2716 and gave a show few in attendence will soon forget. The 736 is also on permanant loan, from the Virginia Transportation Museum. |
| C&O 2716 Photo Gallery |
| Southern 2716 Photo Gallery |
| "Real" Photos courtesy Railphotos.net Copyright remains those of the photographer. |
