A&Y 542 Restored
| | A&Y
#542
This locomotive had the following characteristics:
Construction year |
1903 |
Construction number |
c/n 22570 |
Constructed by |
Alco Locomotive Works (Richmond, VA) |
Southern Class |
J |
Cylinder size (inches) |
21"x28" |
Steam pressure (pounds per square inch) |
200 lbs |
Driver size (diameter) |
56" |
Weight (in pounds) |
171,550 lbs |
Tractive effort (in pounds) |
37,485 lbs |
Photos:
 |
Click on the image to get a larger size.
This photo of 542 in Pomona Yard (Greensboro) circa
February 20, 1949 comes from a photo
in the collection of the North
Carolina Transportation Museum (NCTM), where the 542 resides today.
This photo was the basis for most of the lettering choices in the cosmetic
restoration of the locomotive.
|
 |
This photo is also from February 20, 1949, just
from a slightly different angle and with a little more exposure on the
film. The photographer is unknown but the image is from the John Porter
collection and shared with me through Kevin von der Lippe. |
 |
The 542 was doubleheading with the 522 in this
undated photograph at Pomona Yard in Greensboro. Another photo from John
Porter's collection sent to me via Kevin von der Lippe. |
 |
The 542 was placed in Tanglewood Park in
Winston-Salem, NC as depicted in this Harold K. Vollrath photo in August,
1955. I wonder if the girl in the cab is Harold's daughter or niece? |
 |
The story of the 542 move from Tanglewood Park,
Winston-Salem to the North Carolina Transportation Museum, Spencer, NC in the April 1992
issue of Railfan
& Railroad Magazine. While the 542's condition and lack of fund
raising made the idea of restoration to service for the Southern's 100th
birthday impossible, a cosmetic restoration did eventually happen. |
 |
After the cosmetic
restoration, the volunteer crew poses with the 542 on the NCTM
turntable May 21, 2011 in Spencer, NC. Photo taken by Gene Lewis. |
 |
And one of my favorite photos depicting the 542
lettered for the Atlantic & Yadkin Railway at the NCTM roundhouse
after cosmetic restoration. This photo was on May 25, 2011 in Spencer, NC,
again by Gene Lewis. |
|