Here's what is known. The main scrapping of the Ps-4s started in 1952. In early 1953, Southern Railway did a display in Spencer with 1393, a Class J 2-8-0 #544, and a few diesels for the Rowan County centennial. Word was at the time per Ties was that the 1393 was destined to go to the Smithsonian. Both engines were eventually scrapped. I've heard Atlanta turned down a Ps-4. I've also heard Spencer and Charlotte were possibles as well. So fair chance 1393 was one of those had there been interest.

That said, remember this was 1953 and whatever preservation movement that existed a few years later didn't exist at that point in time. A couple years later and we'd probably have several Ps-4s in preservation. Southern just dieselized too early to be able to save much.

Kevin

Years ago, Jim Bistline told me that C. W. Witbeck told him of seeing a PS-4 in Mexico near Vera Cruz. When Graham Claytor heard the story he sent Mr. Bistline to investigate it. Supposedly, the engine was working for an industry in that area. Also, he searched for any PS-4's that might have been sold to any companies in Mexico but noting was found in existing records.

Also, Bill Purdie told me that in the 1950's, while he was working at Pegram Shop in Atlanta, there was a PS-4 that came through the shop for repairs. This was when SR was pretty much dieselized and the PS-4's had been retired. He said the engine was not the 1393 and he was amazed that the engine was shopped that late date.

So, was there a PS-4 that escaped?

-Jim Herron

Here's what is known. The main scrapping of the Ps-4s started in 1952. In early 1953, Southern Railway did a display in Spencer with 1393, a Class J 2-8-0 #544, and a few diesels for the Rowan County centennial. Word was at the time per Ties was that the 1393 was destined to go to the Smithsonian. Both engines were eventually scrapped. I've heard Atlanta turned down a Ps-4. I've also heard Spencer and Charlotte were possibles as well. So fair chance 1393 was one of those had there been interest.

That said, remember this was 1953 and whatever preservation movement that existed a few years later didn't exist at that point in time. A couple years later and we'd probably have several Ps-4s in preservation. Southern just dieselized too early to be able to save much.

Kevin

Who here is old enough to comment? 1952-53 was there really much nostalgia in popular culture? WWII and the Korean war were really fresh. I imagine most people were just glad to move on and upgrade their living standard. Ten years later, the wealth and standard of living are much higher, and there is more opportunity to indulge in nostalgia.

We can clearly see the difference a decade can make in preservation between what we saved and what was saved by our brothers across the pond.

Paul, I think it says a lot more about the difference in our cultures than in the passing of time.