SMS Rail 9 Test Fire

SMS 9, (Ex New Hope and Ivyland, Exx Virginia Blue Ridge, Nee U.S. Army) has not been under steam since 1981. Restoration was started by the New Hope and Ivyland in 1992 but stopped as funding ran out. Now the same crew is finishing the project after being bought by SMS Rail in southern New Jersey. This was the first steam test of the boiler with new firebox, throttle, tubes, and many other parts made from scratch.

[@Mr.RailYard-LJLRailYard]

Wow, this is going to be the only steam locomotive in the USA to be in regular commercial service, that very cool.

[@PowerTrain611]

So awesome to see her almost ready for service! Can't wait to see her doing what she was built to do again.

[@steamgent4592]

Wow thats about the best ole 9 has looked in 40 years!! Glad to see she's gotten some love!

[@locomotive1956]

Never looked that good when I fired her. Great Job guys. I’m too old to fire her now, but I remember how to. Never forgot. Still remember shoveling coal into that fire door. Track was bad in those days and sometimes I missed the door and threw it at the engineer!! Haha

[@williamstuessy1611]

That is a terrific whistle !!!

[@rastewart100]

4:57 What a wonderful noise.

[@nathancorcoran5347]

I’m pretty happy that they are almost done with #9. I hope to visit this engine when it’s in operation.

[@mudbug765]

I remember this engine sitting forlorn and rusting at N&HI. What a massive job to get this up and running. Well done! Looking forward to seeing it in person some time.

[@brianfalzon6739]

Hope 9 can visit both the NH&I and BR&W in the future one day.

[@vettebecker1]

Very cool, a lot of time and dedication. Now it’s almost time to enjoy it!!!

[@thereadingg3945]

That’s an odd Reading 6 chime, at least that’s what I think it is. It’s a steptop whistle but the originals were flat. It sounds more like the replica RDG 6 #40 uses sometimes, with the more shallow sound and deeper tone.

[@atsfevan0242]

Hopefully she'll be back soon enough

[@SuperFoxyRailwayProduction6702]

She's very close

[@anthonynigri4058]

NEW JERSEY WILL HAVE ANOTHER OPERATING STEAM LOCOMOTIVE SOON

[@Fedora5957]

Does anyone have an accurate count on the number of RR steam locomotives that can now run their own steam power and or are near to running?

[@DaimosZ]

One of the recent Trains Magazine issues had a full sheet of known operating steam locos in the US and the exact number iirc was around 150 operating steam locomotives

[@overpoweredsteamproduction513]

This is a good day

[@njandparailfan6332]

Why am I not surprised you’re here

[@overpoweredsteamproduction513]

@@njandparailfan6332 who are you again?

[@NW-gi1cp]

*does backflip* YAASSSSS!!!!!!

[@Fedora5957]

Is it an 0-6-0?

[@thereadingg3945]

Yep! Built for the U.S. Army.

[@yogirlalyssa_]

Does 4039 have a Reading 6 chime or is it a 5 chime

[@SuperFoxyRailwayProduction6702]

It hads a Reading 6 Chime whistle

[@RailPreserver2K]

Can you try and filmy engine when it makes its first move understeam ?

[@anthracitemodeler8810]

I plan on being there. I don't get to work on 9 too much anymore but I help where I can. They keep me busy on the diesels.

[@That_One_Guy_In_A_Band]

@@anthracitemodeler8810 Oh, you work for SMS? What's it like? I would love to get a job with the company, especially since they have some Ex-LIRR ALCo units, and I'm from LI, but I don't even know how to go about applying. And I'm sure there are qualifications I'd need that I don't have.

[@anthracitemodeler8810]

There is only 1 Alco FA there and ut is bot ours, it is contract work a couple guys work on generally on the weekend.