Did a double-take when I saw this one.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 888&nseq=0

When the Pacific was on the GM&O and numbered 580 (as I recall), she had a centered headlight, perhaps even a bit lower than that pictured. I actually think she looks better with the headlight centered, but that is my opinion only. I am sure there are a lot of folks out there, that like her with the high headlight. To each his own I guess.

Les

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

If anything, when it was numbered 580, the headlight was higher on the smokebox door than now, not lower.

I like the new look. It has the look of a RDG G glass.

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 front-end shot reminds me of a Chinese SY

Depends on the specific time period really.There was a least two other headlight/numberboard arrangements on the G-1s in addition to the one you mention.

The as built versionwith high headlight and round number board(I personally prefer this one):


The next version,the 112 in 1927 with a similar arrangement to the'new' 425. Now if they centered the classification lamps and with the right headlight.......

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

Err...4

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

Hey Everyone.

I don't post here much, but I have a few things from the 425 excursion I think you're gonna like.

Photos - http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/archiv ... x?id=32133





And the video - http://www.rail-videos.net/video/view.php?id=2425

Take care,
- Adam

Just for the record, number 475 was one of two GM&O 2-8-2's that Mr. Spence also owned at that time.

Les

"Junior" -

Thanks for the correction. I had forgotten about the 98. So four engines saved out of the 34 that were on hand when Mr. Spence died. Not a good record.

Les