The only two operational Lima-Hamilton switchers in the country traveled to Metamora on Aug. 3, and Aug. 4.

The Whitewater Valley Railroad shared, “Following its total mechanical restoration and successful break-in runs at the end of 2023, the final touches on the full cosmetic restoration of Armco 709 have been completed.” 

The 1949 Lima-Hamilton LS-1000 debuted in its restored original Armco livery on Wednesday, July 31. However, the general public can celebrate its return to regular service today and tomorrow as it pulls the Valley Flyer train to Metamora. After spending its working life at the Armco Middletown and New Miami Works, 709 was donated to the railroad in 1987 by Armco Corporation, now known as Cleveland Cliffs. The locomotive had limited service on the Whitewater Valley until 1989 when it was deemed to need significant repairs before it could operate regularly. Restoration efforts were intermittent over the next decade but resumed in earnest in 2015. It joins the former Cincinnati Union Terminal 25 Lima-Hamilton switcher as the only two operational Lima-Hamilton switchers out of the four remaining.

Both locomotives were in operation this past weekend, with 709 on the Valley Flyer and 25 on the point of the Metamora Local. The Valley Flyer departed Connersville at 12:01 p.m. both days for a round trip to the historic canal town of Metamora. Meanwhile, the other Lima-Hamilton, Whitewater Valley 25, pulled the Metamora Local on 30-minute round trips at 11 a.m. 12, 12:45, and 3:30 p.m.  

For more information on the Whitewater Valley Railroad and excursions, visit https://www.whitewatervalleyrr.org/.