This photo has no identification, but it looks like Soo Line 346, the 0-6-0 now at Tracy, Minnesota. It appears to be before it was sold to Koppers in this picture.

http://abpr2.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi? ... 07/346.jpg

I suspect it's after purchase by Koppers. The condition of the footboards and general lack of cleanliness is a far cry from photos of Soo engines, even during the last days. The crate on the pilot deck seems out of place, although switch crews were known to scrounge things and carry them home, but the collection of garbage to be used as chocks tends to make me think this is not in service for a railroad any longer.

Is the bracket for the union link actually bolted to the end of the main rod? Never saw that before....was that common on SOO engines?

There appears to be a round logo on the tender too - I think the Koppers logo might have been round, I know the Soo one certainly wasn't. Somebody should show this photo to the folks in Tracy so they can see what a nicely-proportioned engine she could be, if only they'd lose the hideous balloon stack and cowcatcher.

Looks like something to give a little acceleration or advance to the cutoff.

Under magnification the bracket is clearly not bolted to the main rod but to a matching extension on the crosshead. According to my book that part is called the crosshead arm. It was used on freight engines with 2 wheel front trucks or no trucks where the distance between the cylinder and front driver is to short for the usual linkage.

There are a couple of other odd things about this engine. What is the contraption on the roof hatch? I assume some kind of locking mechanism. Also the check valve is an odd one.

This is an interesting little engine with lots to look at.

John Bohon

Actually what you're seeing is not part of the roof hatch. It's the cross arm of an electrical power transmission tower. You can see two more of 'em further back in the picture.

I'm pretty sure that the locomotive is in the Koppers Coke plant yard. At least I think I remember the electrical towers.

Doug

Right you are. I see the other crossarm now.

It is also a little odd to see power reverse on an engine this small.

John Bohon

Strasburg 31 has power reverse.