Recently, a friend of mine sent me an copy of a slide of a NYC 4-8-2 on a freight train crossing the Kankakee River bridge at Aroma Park, Illinois taken in 1956. It's a terrific photo and I have copied it for my own use and display it on a wall in my computer room. The engine in the photo appears to be #2821, although only the first 3 numbers are distinct. The fourth number appears to be "smudged" and I think it may be because of a vent in the cab side that was open making that particular number slightly "off" to the photographers lens. Or possibly just some dirt. I made a search of that engine on the internet and was extremely surprised to "get a hit". It seems that the 2821 appeared on the front cover of the New York Central System Historical Society 2009 calendar. So, I sent for the calendar, which came in the mail today. Uh-oh. The "blurb" for that particular photo of 2821 (taken in 1954) says the Mohawk was retired in October of 1955. Which means that the freight train photo has the wrong date OR the NYCSHS have the 2821's retirement date incorrect. I am going to assume that the photographer (now deceased) knew when he took the photo and that the 1956 date was correct. And I am also going to assume that the retirement date of the engine was recorded correctly by the NYCSHS. So that would mean that the 4-8-2 is one of the OTHER Mohawks that start with the numbers 282x. Since this is very late in the New York Central steam era, my guess is that most of these engines would have been retired by this time. But if one wasn't, then it most likely is the engine on the bridge. The website says I should direct questions to the NYCSHS Forum, which means I would have to join the group. I don't need to join another group, but will if I have to. But before I do that, I wondered if anyone here on RyPN might have retirement dates for New York Central steam. And save me some trouble.

Thanks.

Les

You know that publishing a glowing description of the slide and then not attaching it is considered elder abuse don't you?

I'm sorry about that. But it is not my slide. The current owner gave me permission to make a copy for my own personal use, but not for publication. I am not sure if posting it here wouldn't infringe on that permission. I think that he is eventually going to make a website of the photos that he acquired. I like color photos of steam in regular service. Most photographers in the late steam era used black and white film on steam, as had been done for years. So seeing a color photo of a NYC Mohawk in freight service was an unexpected and wonderful surpise. I can tell you that the photo is terrific. I hope that someday you get to see it.

Les

Les.

You might check with Darwin Simonitus in Elkhart he may have the information you are looking for. I don't know his contact information but he was listed in the Elkhart phone directory.

Mark A. Frazier

Mark -

Thanks for the hint. Mr. Simonaitis was the editor of the calendar I mentioned and I had thought about contacting him. Of course, I had no idea where he lived, so I appreciate your info. I'll give it a try.

Les

Edson and Vail give the retirement date for Mohawk 2821 as June 1956.

Richard -

Thank you.

Les