I'm doing research on the Ashtabula bridge disaster, and I'm trying to find information on the two LS&MS locomotives involved: Socrates and Columbia. I believe they were both Schenectady Loco Works products. Anyone know if any Schenectady production records exist? I'm trying to determine driver diameter, bore & stroke, boiler pressure, etc as well as build date. If not, is anyone aware of any LS&MS loco roster?
Thanks,
Chris Zahrt

The book Locomotives of the New York Central Lines by Edward L. May and William D. Edson has information on LS&MS locomotives. The locomotive Columbia #360 and others numbered 357-377 were built by Rogers between 1871-1872 and were retired between the years 1889-1899. The locomotive Socrates #156 and others 151-156 were built by Schenectady in 1869 and were also retired between 1889-1899. The info on these locomotives along with builders specs. construction nos. is listed on page 66. The numerical listing and names of LS&MS locomotives is listed on pages 16-19. After the Ashtabula disaster the locomotive Columbia was hauled up out of the river, the first attempt to pull it out did not work and it slid back down the bank. Later it was rebuilt. There is mention of the Columbia #360 in the large 900 plus page book Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway System Representative of Employees that was published in 1900 where it mentions a LS&MS engineer that ran the Columbia in later years who had a cane made from some of the cab wood. I have the book but would have to look it up again.

Here are some of the specs. on page 66 if it helps.


Socrates #156 and sisters 151-156 : 16 x 24 -52 - 64,000 - builders numbers 569,570,589,590,594,596



Columbia #360 and sisters 357-377 : 17 x 24 - 66 - 70,000 - builders numbers
(1931-1971)

Fascinating story. I look forward to reading your paper on the event.