History of 3025 - "The Locomotive That Would Not Die" Part 3

Part-3 Troubled times in PA, High winds and Fires

In my last post we talked about the Valley's original SY engine  No. 1647M and its sister 1658M. After both being unloaded in New Jersey the twin sister parted ways. If you remember 1658M was headed for the Knox and Kane Railroad in Pennsylvania. The KKRR was a tourist line with over 90 miles long and located in northwestern Pennsylvania; operating between the towns of Knox and Kane with a later expansion to Mount Jewett. Originally  owned by the B&O and the Eire Railroads this tourist line traveled through the Allegheny forests and over the beautiful Kinzua Viaduct.

The Railroad has a few engines on its roster, a few diesels, but the main star was No. 38; a Ex-Huntington & Broad Top 2-8-0 consolidation. From opening day in 1987 No. 38 was the star of the show and would head the all day excursion train from Mount Jewett over the viaduct and back. Around the late 1980's the railroads owner, Sloan Cornell, wanted to find another steam engine to help out No.38 with the excursion duties. He made the decision to buy a brand new locomotive from China.

No. 38 EX-H&BT 2-8-0

                                       (Now where have I heard this before...hmmmm)

So in 1990 just like her sister 1647M, the new Knox and Kane Railroad No.1658 arrived on the railroad. This was the start of the KKRR's glory days. From this moment till 2002 the railroad was flooded with tourists wanting to ride behind the two steam engines, marvel over the brand new Chinese engine, and especially in the fall foliage, enjoy the ride over the famous Kinzua bridge. However the glory days would not last forever.

No. 1658M SY 2-8-2

No. 1658M rolling over the Kinzu Viaduct

Near the end of 2002, state inspectors became concerns about the structural integrity of the the bridges supports. Closing the bridge to both railroad foot traffic for inspection and in 2003 a restoration plan was put into effect; but the bridge was running out of time. In July of that year a F1 tornado hit and destroyed the center span of the bridge.

Kinzu Bridge After the F1 Tornado

The railroad tried to survive from then by still running trains up to the bridge but without the attraction of having the train run over it; the journey wasn't the same. With less visitors and profits falling in 2006 the railroad had to officially shut its doors. The engines where but into storage at the engine house and awaited their fates.The final blow to the railroad happen in March of 2008. The engine house that was storing the locomotives was set on fire by arsonists. The fire damaged or destroyed the engines, including the new engine No. 1658M, and a majority of the coaches causing over one million dollars worth of damage. This event forced the railroad to have a total liquidation sale of all of their assets, land, buildings , engines, rolling stock, new and damaged goods, everything. The Knox and Kane was officially gone. Rails ripped up and properties gone, however among all of this negativity, there was a little spark of hope for one of their engines.....

No.1658M and whats left of the engine sheds

For more history and to see where I learned some of this information check out this video by Mike Adams about the KKRR:  Video
BUT MAKE SURE TO STOP AT 19:51 IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SPOIL THE NEXT POST!!

But till then, see ya real soon!