C&O 701 In Operation

In the fall of 2021 plans began to take shape to build a 1.6” scale 7 1/2” gauge version of the C&O 701. The prototype is currently located in Covington, Virginia and was originally built by Alco in 1911. The locomotive originally operated as #171 for Hocking Valley Railway. The following information and images are from rgusrail.com which highlights the history of this locomotive.

The Hocking Valley Railway was primarily a coal hauler, operating entirely in the state of Ohio, with a main line from Toledo to Athens and Pomeroy via Columbus, and several branches to coal mines in the Hocking Valley near Athens. Most of its life was spent under the control of outside railroads. In 1903, a syndicate comprising the PRR, B&O, C&O, Erie and Lake Shore & Michigan Southern acquired majority ownership. From 1906, the C&O began to increase its ownership until it gained outright control in 1910, although the HV continued to operate as a separate entity until merged into the C&O in 1930. At that time, #171 was renumbered CO #701 and reclassified as a G-5. For more information visit http://www.rgusrail.com/vaco701.html.

In doing some additional research I learned that the #701 is the last remaining C&O 2-8-0 locomotives still in existence. I have placed some pictures and videos below.

Photos provided from rgusrail.com

2012 before a cosmetic restoration

A short video of C&O 2-8-0 locomotives

Now on to the 1.6” scale version of the 701 which is actually being built off a slightly different prototype from the Pennsylvania Railroad H10 class steam locomotives and was built by Lima Locomotive works. One of the primary differences between the prototype and the H10 was the type of valve gears used. The H10 used the Walschaerts Valve Gear vs. the C&O prototype which used Baker Valve Gear. The 1.6” scale pictured was built by Godshall’s Custom Machining out of Shermans Dale, PA. This locomotive is the nineteenth 2-8-0 build by Godshall using the H10 prototype. This project provided the opportunity to show how the base locomotive could be adapted for other 2-8-0 Consolidation prototypes. By the time it is completed it will be very close to the real C&O 701.

Here are a couple of videos regarding the Godshall H10.

C&O 701 Build Pictures 2021-2023

What do some of the pieces look like?

Here are some photos from Wayne Godshall, of Godshall Custom Machining & Live Steam, showing how an H10 begins. The first picture represents the locomotive frame before being machined. The second picture represents cylinder heads, and the third pictures is the lead truck boxes. The pictures below represent H10 Consolidation build number 20 through 25. Pictures taken June and July 2023.

Walschaert Valve Gear

Baker Valve Gear