Its not quite right for a G-class, they had the numberboard mounted centered on the smokebox door, with the lamp mounted above it, so 425's lamp is too low, and the numberboard is in the wrong place.

The amazing thing is that a Gulf, Mobile & Ohio steamer is still with us. GM&O dieselized EARLY; perhaps the first MAJOR railroad to do so. Paulson Spence purchased the Pacific in 1950! Yes, supposedly for his Gulf Sand & Gravel operation in Louisiana, but one of many engines "stockpiled" there for his plan to build a rail bypass around New Orleans. The other surviving GM&O steamer (4-6-0 #72) was sold in 1948 to Gaylord Container, which actually used her for its pulpwood operation out of Bogalusa, Louisiana. So number 72's survival is at least understandable. Not so, with 425/580.

All of us probably know the sad story of Mr. Spence's sudden death from a heart attack and his families rush to destroy his steam locomotive "stockpile". Only 3 engines survived; the two 4-4-0's that went to the Stone Mountain operation, and this 1928 Baldwin 4-6-2. How Malcolm Ottinger was able to convince the Spence family to separately sell 425/580 to him, instead of just scrap it with the rest of the locomotives, is probably an interesting story in its own rite.

So if GM&O 425/580 is a most unlikely survivor, then a little issue of just where the headlight should be located is indeed a very minor issue. Let's just be appreciative, and watch them drivers ROLL! And be happy that an unlikely set of circumstances, culminating with this revival of the 425 by the Reading & Northern shop forces, even gives us the chance today to do just that!

Les

The headlight is too high. Here's a photo of GM&O 475 when it belonged to Paulsen Spence's Louisiana Eastern.

Err...4

W&W's 4-4-0 #98 was also from the Spence Collection.