Naked and Unafraid

Bessemer & Lake Erie Texas type #643 has had a rocky history over the past couple decades. Restored to operating condition in the mid/late 1980s, it was all dresse... (more)

Bessemer & Lake Erie 643 is stored outdoors in the Pittsburgh suburb of McKees Rocks. This 2-10-4 was fully restored in 1988 but was only test-fired, not operated in excursion service as intended... (more)

I spent many years helping out with the restoration of this locomotive, only to see it rotting away now in Pittsburgh. B&LE #643, Hazzelwood, PA. 4/05/1992

Rusting away!

Quite an interesting find off of a random side street in McKees Rocks, less then ten minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. Nearly as interesting, but not really, is the random blue switcher.

Not seen in public since her overhaul, Bessemer & Lake Erie 643 has languished in a Pittsburgh-area warehouse for many years. New plans may see the locomotive relocated to Meadville, PA, where pla... (more)