Prototype News

New York Central L-3a 4-8-2 “Mohawk” 3001 is expected to depart Elkhart, Ind., this fall, bound for the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society shop in New Haven, Ind., where it will be returned to service. FWRHS and the National New York Central Railroad Museum plan on hosting a farewell event for the locomotive on September 4 and 5. The exact date for its move has not been set. 

The 3001 is the largest surviving NYC steam locomotive and the only member of the L-3a class to escape the scrapper’s torch. The locomotive was under the care of the City of Elkhart, Ind., and has been on display at the National New York Central Museum for decades. In October 2024, FWRHS launched an effort to restore the locomotive for use on its popular Indiana Rail Experience excursions. 

FWRHS owns three other steam locomotives, most notably Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 765, which it has operated since the 1970s. For the last few years, it has managed the Indiana Rail Experience, an excursion operation on the Indiana Northeastern Railroad, which has trackage in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. Much of that track is former NYC, meaning locomotive 3001 will be right at home. NYC 3001 will also join the fleet of seven Budd streamlined cars built in 1941 for the NYC “Empire State Express” and purchased from Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum in 2023.

According to FWRHS, a mechanical evaluation of the locomotive has been performed by FMW Solutions with financial support from former Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. The group estimates that it will take $4.3 million to restore the locomotive to operation. Donations can be made online at AmericanLoco.org. FWRHS is also encouraging people to join its pledge list.

—Justin Franz 

The post ‘Mohawk’ To Leave Elkhart This Fall appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

Britain’s Severn Valley Railway is conducting an eight-week trial with a local passenger operator to provide steam-powered commuter rail service. The arrangement is believed to be one of the first of its kind in the U.K., with main line rail ticket holders traveling over part of their journey on a heritage railway, hauled by heritage locomotives and operated by heritage railway staff.

The Severn Valley is a 16-mile heritage railway that has provided steam-powered excursion service since the 1960s. The commuter service test, which will sometimes be powered by historic diesels, will operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The service will connect with national network trains at Birmingham Snow Hill. There will be two morning departures and two evening departures. The service is expected to last until the end of October.

“This is a hugely exciting opportunity for the Severn Valley Railway. Not only does it allow us to support an important regional transport initiative, but it also sees our railway fulfilling the purpose it was originally built for by carrying everyday passengers between Bewdley and Kidderminster,” said SVR Chief Executive Officer Gus Dunster.

—Justin Franz 

The post British Heritage Railway to Offer Commuter Service appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.