I'm wondering if there is a document that has the complete record of every built H.K. Porter locomotive builder number out there? I'm trying to find out the builder number of a locomotive that no longer exists and when it was built. It was a narrow gauge 2-4-0 built for the Chagrin Falls & Southern Railroad most likely around the year 1883.

These are the only two found. Thank Bob Lehmuth.

636 4/1885 2-4-0 36" 11x16
St. Joseph Valley RR#2, Buchanon, Mich.
Diverted to -
Chagrin Falls & Southern #3
Curtis Gordon Engr. Co., New York, N.Y. 6/1907 Elisha Atkins & Co.(D), Boston, Ma. - for - Cuba 7/1912.

638 4/1884 2-4-0 36" 9x14
E. W. Bond , Willoughby, Ohio - for-
Chagrin Falls & Southern #2
“WM HUTCHINGS”
Deland & St.Johns RR,Deland,Fla.

Looks like builder #638 matches the best. William Hutchings was the traffic manager of the CF&S. Interesting how it says its #2, in the photo I have its numbered 3. Photo attached is most likely one of its first runs on the line. Thank you for the information.

Please explane why you think Porter #638 is the best match. The records show it as #2 and named WM Hutchings. Your photo shows a locomotive #3 with no name which matches #636.

I was judging it based on your information you gave me and other information I was able to find. The name W.M. Hutchings matches up since he was one of the board of directors, and 1884 is the date that matches the Ohio Annual Report of the commissioner of railroads and telegraphs. It shows a locomotive was added during the year 1883-1884 and the railroad only owned (to my knowledge and evidence I've found) 1 other locomotive which was a 0-4-0 built around 1876 for the Painesville, Canton, and Bridgeport Narrow Gauge railroad. I did find another photo of the same locomotive I attached which has lettering added on the tender showing CF&S R.R. from around the year 1887.

Porter serial #636 was assigned to Chagrin Falls & Southern 2-4-0 #3. The tender was lettered C.F. & S.R.R., and the cab carried the name "William Hutchings" who was the general manager of the CF&S. The locomotive was ordered on 02/19/1884, completed on 04/10/1884, and shipped on 04/13/1884 via the PFtW&C. Weighing 38,000 pounds with a shipping rate of $56.00 to Solon, Ohio, the locomotive, tender, smokestack and two boxes of machinery were carried on two flatcars, PRR #3499 and PFtW&C #2921.

Porter serial #638 was assigned to De Land & St. Johns RR 2-4-0. There was no road number at the time of construction. The tender was lettered "De L. & St. J. R.R." and the loco's cab carried the name "E.W. Bond." It was ordered on 02/23/1884, and shipped to Jacksonville, Florida, on 04/17/1884. (Shipping data excerpted here for brevity.)

The Chagrin Falls & Southern would later become part of the Wheeling & Lake Erie, my favorite railroad. Be safe.

John B. Corns, a.k.a. misterwandle (Mister W and LE, get it?)