The Old Soldier. Valley Railroad Consolidation #97 emerges from the Essex Locomotive Servicing Facility on a late fall afternoon in 2018, as her crew prepares her to make 3 North Pole Express runs in the upcoming evening. To say that Old 97 has been a fixture on the Valley Railroad for the better part of the last half century would be an understatement. The former Birmingham & Southeastern #200 first came to the Valley Railroad under lease back in 1970, shortly after the railroad was formed. Their first locomotive, a small Prairie type, proved too light to handle their tourist trains. The 97, which was privately-owned at the time, had been operating in New England on fan trips, for nearly a decade when she arrived, and she fit right in. Since then, she's been their go-to locomotive most of the time.....until 2010, that is.
At the end of 2010, #97's last FRA Form 4 ran out. By that time, in the words of the former CMO, she was a very "worn-out locomotive." Her last major overhaul had been decades ago. When the last fire in 97 was dropped in December of 2010, she needed much more than a boiler inspection. She needed everything....drive boxes, axles, tires, rod bearings, spring rigging....everything. With the re-built Chinese SY #3025 coming on line the following year, there was no rush to do anything with 97. The railroad had 40 and 3025, and with 2 locomotives, they were good to go. In the ensuing years, the railroad looked at lots of options, including selling 97 and finding another locomotive in better condition that could be put into service more quickly. Unfortunately, there are just not a lot of serviceable steam engines for sale. Eventually, the decision was made to try to rehabilitate #97, but there was no hard schedule. It would be a long-term project. In the past couple of years however, the need for a 3rd locomotive has become more urgent. The popularity of the line's Christmas trains was rapidly overwhelming the maximum capacity that the line could handle with 2 train-sets, and they were still turning away business. At that point, decisions were made to accelerate the process of getting 97 back on line and to acquire an additional consist.
During 2018, the 97 underwent a 1,472 Service Day Inspection....a boiler inspection....as well as boiler repairs required to pass that inspection. It was the 1,472 SDI that would make her legal to operate during the 2018 holiday season. Contrary to what has been reported on several railfan boards, she did not receive an "overhaul." The 97 is still a tired locomotive, as should be apparent in this photo. She was however, able to assist the Valley during the 2018 Christmas Season, allowing the addition of many departures that would not have been possible with just the 40 and 3025. That said, I would not expect to see her in the regular rotation in 2019, except during the Christmas season. While no formal plan has been announced to address her many remaining maintenance issues, history would suggest that the line will probably work on her the same way they did with 40....in bits and pieces. It is likely that the shop crews will address the major issues one or two at a time, over the course of several years, to eventually end up with a fully overhauled locomotive, which can be part of the regular rotation. I think most Valley Railroad fans, including the crews, are looking forward to that day.
