The Big GE 65 Ton #734 Gets a Complete Overhaul

Click here to view a web version of our brochure about the 734

Locomotive # 4 in Service in Florida, circa 1950

A Baldwin Comes Home

The biggest project in years has begun with the acquisition of another steam locomotive.  Engine #4, a 1914 Baldwin 2-6-2 with tender, arrived on May 19th, after its inspection and shipping from Hardin, Kentucky. More details of this project will be posted as they develop.  The photo depicts this engine in service on the Lee Tidewater Cypress lumber operation in Florida.

Track Expansion Project

Our track work project is near completion; the remainder of the project will involve the final raising and surfacing of the track, and associated landscaping.
 

The Whitcomb Rebuild

Our mechanical forces have made some additional repairs to the diesel electric  Whitcomb  locomotive as it recently had a traction motor replaced in late 2010.  The locomotive is used in limited service since late 2007.  This locomotive was used in Europe during World War II, and then worked in two Gulf Oil refineries before coming to Kempton.

Repairing the Reading 92936

Work is being done again on our wooden sided caboose this year to replace the roof and some more exterior wood is being replaced, as well as, new paint and lettering.  It should be complete during the 2011 season. In 2005, this car received an interior refurbishing.
The exterior work, including a new paint job, new wood was installed on the east side of the car, as well as the underlying structural wood, and window frame replacements. 
 

Passenger Car Maintenance

Our most recent passenger car project was repairing and repainting coach # 582, with lettering to be completed next spring.  This car will be lettered for the "Lackawanna" Railroad, and features slight variations in the paint scheme from the balance of our Reading coaches. Coach #1474 car was painted in 2007 and was used extensively this year. Coach 1365, a coach held in reserve, received paint and metal work to protect it from the weather.

 

 
The C&O Gets A New Look and Gets Rollin Again....

Our storage boxcar, C&O 5504, is now repainted in its original 1960 scheme, and ventured out on one train on a photo freight special, as well as a steam photo freight on May 31st, 2008.

What's Gone from the WK&S..

Both #4 and #35 Mack locomotives were sold to JC McHugh.  The #35 Mack was cosmetically restored to reflect his company's ownership.  The #4 Mack was subsequently scrapped as it was deemed unable to be repaired. 

Our former business car #98 departed Kempton in January 2007 for its new home in Minersville, PA.