THE BLACK RIVER VALLEY MODEL RAILROAD WEB SITE

In late November 2018 the Black River Valley Railroad suffered a major catastrophy when a wall mounted cabinet/shelf detached itself from the wall and deposited aproximately thirty (30) locomotives in a heap on the floor. I suspect that my 13-year old autistic grandson attempted access and pulled things loose which resulted in the detachment when the door was opened. I was so upset I forgot to photograph the mess after it happened. With my eldest grandson's help the cabinet was reattached to the wall with larger anchors and a damage assesment was made.

In these boxes are the locos that need major repair. The Niagara for instance has two broken axles and is knocked out of quarter. Norfolk and Western #611 has a broken draw bar and I'm still not sure about the wheels and axles. The Challenger has had the smoke-box over knocked off and some damage to details. NYC RS-32 #2030 has had portions of its after steps and platform broken off. Perre Marquette #1235 needs its smoke box cover installed and a few detail parts restored. The Southern Pacific #4449 is, I think, beyond reasonable repair. Four broken axles and bent drive rods for starters.

Here NYC RS-32 #2030 is waiting for glue to dry on its steps and plaform. NYC Niagara #6015 has had its two broken axles replaced and the drivers quarter has been set. Next is putting the 'elephant ears' back on and test running it. The two mall boxes in the photo hold the 'small parts' that were collected from the wreckage under the cabinet. So far they have proved to be valuable in restoring the many damaged locomotives.

Here NYC RS-32 #2030 is waiting for glue to dry on its steps and plaform. NYC Niagara #6015 has had its two broken axles replaced and the drivers quarter has been set. Next is putting the 'elephant ears' back on and test running it. The two mall boxes in the photo hold the 'small part' that were collected from the wreckage under the cabinet. So far they have proved to be valuable in restoring the many damaged locomotives.

NYC #9622 is repaired and ready for the road. Its front shield and steps were broken off. Fragments from the 'small boxes' proved to e the missing parts, save for a small piece on the left side of the sheild and a slightly deformed step platform. It suffered no drive train damage and runs just as smoothly as always.

NYC F7 #1855 and its B-unit #2425 are sentimental favorites. No 1855 was the first locomotive I installed a sound decoder in. The A/B set required only new couplers, reattaching an air horn and two truck side plates. This pair like most of the diesels suffered much less damage than their stem engine brethren. A test run showed no apparent permanent damage.

Santa Fe F7 A/B set #337 suffered only minor damage when they took the tumble. A couple of truck side plates had to be reattached. The electrical connection between the A and B-unit had to be reestablished and new couplers had to be installed. I uses Kadee couplers since a suitable close coupling link was not available. I was unaware of the bent handrail on the B-unit until I looked at the photo closely. It has been repaired. A test run showed ops normal.

There is much more to be done as is obvious from the early photos. Two of the large steamers, a New York Central Niagara and Pennsylvania RR J1A 2-10-4 will require repair at BLI. The are both mechanically sound but they no longer produce the 'chuf' sound. All the other sounds are sill active. I suspect a senser is knocked out of wack.