Virginia Central Porter Rod Driven #3 - Virginia Museum Of Transportation

Restored 2012

Manufacturer: H. K. Porter Company
This locomotive is a switcher that moves railroad cars around in a rail yard. Switchers assemble trains before they leave the yard and disassemble trains after they come in. This process of assembling and disassembling is called switching.

Built in 1944
Last used by the Virginia Central Railroad in Fredericksburg, VA. The Virginia Central was chartered in in 1853 Fredericksburg, VA as the Fredericksburg and Gordonsville Railroad with a 5-foot track gauge. In 1876, the compnay reorganized as the Potomac, Fredericksburg and Piedmont Railroad and the track gauge was reduced to 3 feet. The line was opened to Orange, VA on February 26, 1877. The company was reorganized again in 1925 as the Orange & Fredericksburg. In 1926, the tracks were reduced to standard gauge. The Virginia Central name was adopted that same year.
Donated to the Museum by the Virginia Central Railroad
Believed to be one of only 28 remaining

Weight: 45 tons
Horsepower: 300. The engine has one traction motor mounted on each truck, so power has to be transmitted to the non-powered wheel sets by the use of side rods.