Steam Locomotive Program

Chief Mechanical Officer-Steam

Gary  Matthews

Managing Trustee

Dave Hutsabaut

The NYSWTHS owns Steam Locomotive #142   No. 142 which  was built in the Peoples Republic of China in 1988 by the TangShan Locomotive Works. TangShan is the last place in the world still producing new steam engines. The locomotive resembles trains from an era long ago. The engine, with tender, weighs approximately 154 tons, including ten tons of coal and 6,000 gallons of water. The engine is hand-fired, which means someone has to shovel coal into the firebox to keep the fire hot enough to make steam. No. 142 is 14'6" high, 10'8" wide, and with tender, 75'3" long.
           Originally, NYS&W was to receive a different engine from China....No. 141. But, while being shipped on the Norwegian freighter S.S. Braut, the vessel capsized in the Bay of Bengal (Indian Ocean). All of the vessel's cargo, including the 141, sank in 6,000 feet of water. To this day No. 141 remains at the bottom of the Bay. After sinking, the No. 142 was purchased from the Valley Railroad in Essex, Connecticut.

The NYSWTHS is always looking for more people to get involved. We have an active steam program which will teach you  from the ground up what you need to know. During the year we have numerous classes on everything from NORAC rules training to locomotive maintenance.

While #142 runs several mainline trips a year she operates 6 months on the Belvidere & Delaware railroad where we operate the line in partnership with the Black River & Western Railroad.

If you are not afraid of getting dirty and want to be involved with one of the very few active steam programs in the US simply fill out the following form and Dave will get in touch with you!

To express interest in our steam program fill out the information below:

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