WK&S acquired a "new" locomotive during November 2004. Locomotive #4 is a General Electric 65-ton center-cab, built in 1956. It was acquired from the Railway Restoration Project 113 in Minersville, Pennsylvania. Project 113 is the CNJ 0-6-0 steam locomotive under restoration by Bobby Kimmel. The GE was donated to Project 113 and in turn was traded to the WK&S for CNJ Business Car #98. WK&S has not used car #98 in decades.

GE #4 was built in December 1956 with serial #32734. It was built for the US Metals & Refining Division of American Metals (AMAX). The locomotive's number at that time was #4. However, the locomotive is currently without a number and the WK&S has yet to designate one. But for now I shall continue to refer to the locomotive as #4.

Before coming to the WK&S, #4 was stored at the Koppers Corporation's Susquehanna Plant in Muncy, Pennsylvania. The locomotive was used to switch cars hauling scrap ties. The ties are burned for steam and electric for Koppers. WK&S personnel tested the locomotive on December 27, 2003 and again in July of 2004. Both engines run. One truck is complete and functional allowing the locomotive to move under its own power. The other truck has been de-motored. While replacing a motor in this truck, the new motor was dropped, cracked and then never reinstalled. This is why Koppers took the locomotive out of service. Additionally, all the wheels need to be turned. Plus the locomotive will need some body work and lots of TLC. A long term project, for sure, but the locomotive should prove to be a valuable asset.

On Election Day, November 2, 2004, the locomotive was moved from Koppers to Kempton by truck. The route was East I-80 to South I-81 to McAdoo, PA and South on Rt. 309 to Hometown and then East on Rt. 54 to Nesquehoning; North on Rt. 209, thru Jim Thorpe to Lehighton, then West on 443 back to South Tamaqua to meet back up with 309; then over the Blue Mountain to New Tripoli to Rt. 143 to Kempton.

Photo by Keith Dorn
WK&S personnel test #4 on December 27, 2003. The smaller GE locomotive in the background is similar to WK&S locomotive #7258. It was deemed unsalvageable and will likely be stripped and scrapped.

Photo by Jesse Dorn
At Koppers the locomotive is lifted off its trucks in preparation for the move.

Photo by Rob Piligian
Enroute from Koppers.

Photo by Rob Piligian
#4's transport truck takes a wheel cooling break at McAdoo along Rt 309.

Photo by Gary Zweizig
Meanwhile, the trucks and other parts arrive and are unloaded in downtown Kempton.

Photo by Gary Zweizig
The locomotive arrives.

Photo by Gary Zweizig
A second crane is needed to lift the 65-tonner.

Photo by Gary Zweizig
Once in the air, the flat-bed is driven away and the trucks are rolled back under.

Photo by Gary Zweizig
4:30pm - Done.

Fuel tank, air tanks and steps arrive separately and await reinstallation.

All the motor parts from the disabled truck. One of the motor cases needs to be fixed or replaced before reassembly.

Inside the cab.

CNJ Business Car #98 was traded for GE locomotive #4 . Here they are together before #98 leaves for Minersville.

#4 was in the shop by the end of 2006 and renovations continue through 2007. A power washing has removed most of the purple paint. Both trucks and all their components are being rebuilt. All wheels are being re-contoured.

With the purple paint gone, "US Metals" is visible on the sides of the cab.

A truck awaiting reassembly, a peek inside a traction motor gear box and a collection of axle journal boxes.

Re-contoured wheels.

Photo by Adam Christman
The front rebuilt truck is rolled back under the locomotive, March 2008.