A favorite of modelers in the late-1950s and the prototype for probably 30-percent of the 1 1/2" scale live steam locomotives around today. Here in service, 1950s, at Bluffs, Illinois? The real one hasn't fared too well, and is among the unrestored locomotives still outdoors at St. Louis.

http://cgi.ebay.com/6929ND-RAILROAD-PHO ... otohosting

Sorry, I don't post endless streams of eBay photos on this board, so I may not be in the know, but I would estimate that the 573, while a bit rough, has faired better than those Wabash steam locomotives on display in..... Oh wait, she's the only one left, meaning she's faired better than her sisters....


Actually, the 573 is probably going to be moved at some point in the future, and someone has done some restoration work on her, by removing the asbestos lagging and jacketing, and worked on the headlight.

Well, not quite David. Wabash 0-6-0 #534 has also survived. She is currently owned by the Ft. Wayne Railroad Historical Society in New Haven, Indiana. Unfortunately, because of their concentration with their other steamer (NKP #765), the 534 has not received a lot of attention through the years.

Les

Les,

Isn't this the 573 the locomotive that Fred Boyer's uncle ran up until the end of the NJI&I in South Bend?

Hi Bob -

I know that the 573 was one of three 2-6-0's that ended up working the Wabash Railroads line out of Bluffs, Illinois that crossed the Illinois River on a bridge that could accomodate the old Moguls, but not anything heavier. Whether the 573 worked earlier on the NJI&I and ended steam operations on that line, I can't say with any certainty. I know that the NJI&I used this type of Wabash 2-6-0 during its steam operations, so it IS possible.

Les

Les,

I forgot about that locomotive. I always think of it as being a Lake Erie and Ft. Wayne RR locomotive, but it was built for the Wabash. Both are relatively rare Rhode Island products. Both are relatively rare Rhode Island products.