Age of Steam acquires B&LE 643

[Benjamin Richards]

On August 5, Age of Steam Roundhouse announced the acquisition of B&LE 643, the lone survivor of the road's fleet of beefy 2-10-4s.

This marks the commencement of a (hopefully) less dramatic chapter in the engine's life. As a native of Pittsburgh, this announcement was particularly exciting for me.

https://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2019/08/05-age-of-steam-acquires-ble-2-10-4

[Sam Leighton]

Is there anything good coming out of this deal anytime soon?

[Graham Buxton]

It has only "partially" been moved to the the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum.  You can read an update here:
http://www.ageofsteamroundhouse.org/bessemer-lake-erie-no-643-update-3/

[Ed Lecuyer]

It appears that they are still "weighing" their options on weather or not to send the boiler and other heavy components back to Sugar Creek by road or by rail.

[John Kokas]

Well it won't go via N-S.  They have banned everything private, to include AMTRAK certified passenger cars.  The Gov, Senators, and other Congressmen had to get involved just for N&W 611 to visit Strasburg and the PA RR Museum this year.

[Ed Lecuyer]

Let me clarify - *if* it ships via rail - it will be in pieces on flatcars (or other conventional equipment.) The frame has already been separated from the boiler.