Rebirth of the ALCO 0-6-0
Steam Locomotive No. 9

Locomotive #9 was built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in Schenectady, NY, for the United States Army as #4023. Completed in October, 1942, she went to work moving military freight at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Later in her military career, #4023 was renumber #616 and was transferred to the Army’s Ft. Eustis, VA base. By 1958, the Army was retiring some of its steam locomotives and #616 was part of this group. #616 and two of her sisters were sold to the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway (VBR) based in Piney River, VA. The locomotive number was changed to #9 and has been that way ever since. Used in freight service until 1964, the VBR eventually purchased two diesel engines and #9 was once again out of a job.

New work was found for the engine when Steam Trains, Inc. purchased her for tourist service on the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad (NH&I) in Pennsylvania. The engine ran briefly in late 1966 and in 1969, backing up 4-6-0 #1533, but was out of service by early 1970. Sitting on a side track as a display, #9 would not run again until 1976. From 1976 to 1981, #9 was mostly used as a backup to NH&I’s regular engine at the time, 2-8-0 #40. In the mid 1990’s, NH&I put #9 up for sale. Sitting for several more years in New Hope, it caught the eye of SMS President Jeff Sutch. Jeff, and several other SMS employees had spent time on the NH&I and some particularly on #9. In 2009, SMS Rail purchased #9 and moved her to the SMS Locomotive Shop in Bridgeport, NJ with the intent of restoring her back to operation. The engine faces another new life doing what she was built to do; hauling freight! Restoration began almost immediately and progresses as time and money permit.

Current Progress

Remaining parts have been removed. Locomotive is being prepped for sand blasting.

Spring rigging and brake rigging have been inspected for wear and being repaired as needed.

The power reverser has been completely rebuilt and is ready to be put on the locomotive when it is ready.

The Drivers and driving boxes have been removed for repairs.
The shoes and wedges have been inspected and repaired or renewed as needed.

Several small appliances have been rebuilt and have been stored until needed.

The side rods and valve gear parts are being cleaned, repaired as needed, and polished.

Boiler repairs will start when the running gear repairs are complete.