I think that the C.P. Huntington was also originally used in suburban service on the SP.

ironbartom@aol.com

The Grand Trunk/Canadian National had similar suburban tank engines (4-6-4T) for use primarily in the Montreal area (but also seen around London, Ontario in the 1950s). There are 3 survivors; 47 at Steamtown, 46 & 48 at the Canadian Railway Museum in Delson Que.

jason.whiteley@sympatico.ca

Any idea what happened to the wooden coaches the 201 pulled at the 1948 fair? When I first visited Steamtown in 1968, there were some wooden coaches lettered Illinois Central. In later years, I didn't see them, and don't know if they were relettered to something else or disposed of. Perhaps they weren't really IC coaches, but something else lettered as such. Anyone know?

Incidently, some old photos of 201 can be seen below on the ABPR link

http://abpr.railfan.net/cgi-bin/railthumb.cgi?july00/07-14-00
bobyar2001@yahoo.com

> The Grand Trunk/Canadian National had
> similar suburban tank engines (4-6-4T) for
> use primarily in the Montreal area (but also
> seen around London, Ontario in the 1950s).
> There are 3 survivors; 47 at Steamtown, 46
> & 48 at the Canadian Railway Museum in
> Delson Que.

True, but not 19th Century. They were built in 1914.


Kevinmccabe@avenew.com

Nevada State RR Museum has a small Porter 0-4-0T that goes out on display in shopping malls - hanging out in malls may qualify this one as surburban.

Dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

> True, but not 19th Century. They were built
> in 1914.

Does anyone at IRyM (or elsewhere) know if #201 was in suburban service on the Illinois Central right up until the operation was electrified? Or was she withdrawn from service prior to electification for preservation and if so, when that was?

Thanks.

midlandblb@cs.com

> Does anyone at IRyM (or elsewhere) know if
> #201 was in suburban service on the Illinois
> Central right up until the operation was
> electrified? Or was she withdrawn from
> service prior to electification for
> preservation and if so, when that was?

> Thanks.

IC 201 (then numbered as 1401) did in fact run the LAST steam-powered commuter trip on the IC, with a commemorative train that met one of the new electrics downtown, just prior to a parade to the new Soldier Field, fireworks, etc. So, first double-ender, longest-serving double-ender, last double-ender in regular suburban service--not bad for one little chooch.


Kevinmccabe@avenew.com

> IC 201 (then numbered as 1401) did in fact
> run the LAST steam-powered commuter trip on
> the IC, with a commemorative train that met
> one of the new electrics downtown, just
> prior to a parade to the new Soldier Field,
> fireworks, etc. So, first double-ender,
> longest-serving double-ender, last
> double-ender in regular suburban
> service--not bad for one little chooch.

Kevin: Thank you for your reply. I certainly did not know of the 2-4-4T's many claims to fame (as you have pointed out.) According to Dave Conrad's old STEAM LOCOMOTIVE DIRECTORY, the engine was built by Rogers in 1880 as the IC's #213. It was renumbered as follows:

to #221 in 1884
to #201 in 1890
to #1401 in 1900
and finally back to #201 in 1928

A few questions then:

1. Do any photos exist of the locomotive hauling that "last" steam powered train?

2. When was the date of that occurance?

3. Do any photos exist of the locomotive in regular service (at any time during its service life?)

4. Can we assume that the balloon stack (and perhaps other items) are not "authentic" and probably added by the IC when the engine was renumbered back to #201 in 1928?

5. If the answer to number 4 (above) is in the affirmative, does IRyM plan to restore the engine to an authentic "in service" configuration at some time in the future?

Thanks for any info you can furnish.

Les Beckman (HVRM)

midlandblb@cs.com

Glad to see the #201 and other numbers in a goood home. I suggest that you do considerable photo research and restore the engine to the way she looked in normal operation.

Newspaper files will have covered the end of steam events, so it should not be difficult to find in fo on that. Day to day ops are harder to find, but worth the effort

I believe that the IRM collection has an IC electric commute car, what a post card with the two IC cars side by side.

Ted Miles


ted_miles@NPS.gov

> Kevin: Thank you for your reply. I certainly
> did not know of the 2-4-4T's many claims to
> fame (as you have pointed out.) According to
> Dave Conrad's old STEAM LOCOMOTIVE
> DIRECTORY, the engine was built by Rogers in
> 1880 as the IC's #213. It was renumbered as
> follows:

> to #221 in 1884
> to #201 in 1890
> to #1401 in 1900
> and finally back to #201 in 1928

> A few questions then:

> 1. Do any photos exist of the locomotive
> hauling that "last" steam powered
> train?

> 2. When was the date of that occurance?

> 3. Do any photos exist of the locomotive in
> regular service (at any time during its
> service life?)

> 4. Can we assume that the balloon stack (and
> perhaps other items) are not
> "authentic" and probably added by
> the IC when the engine was renumbered back
> to #201 in 1928?

> 5. If the answer to number 4 (above) is in
> the affirmative, does IRyM plan to restore
> the engine to an authentic "in
> service" configuration at some time in
> the future?

> Thanks for any info you can furnish.

> Les Beckman (HVRM)

At the risk of stealing Kevin's thunder, the IC's "back-dating" of 201 in 1926-28 included new/old wood pilots, headlight and a balloon stack very similar to its 1880's appearance. The locomotive, as was typical, had evolved over time with a steel cab, different coal bunker,longer smoke box and appliance changes. It probably could be taken to its 1926 appearance. Should it? It currently is in good cosmetic shape; it is in the form seen at the Century of Progress, the Chicago Railroad Fair, and on tours by the IC over its system; it has had its current appearance for 74 of its 122 years. There are many in-service photos, a builder's photo, five newspaper accounts of its first run, an equal number of its last run, and much documentation of its decades of use as a railroad public relations tool. I may be cheap at heart, but I think there are many ways a locomotive can be interpreted without hammering on iron. In addition to running coal burners, Kevin has become a master at making vinyl signs. It looks like he'll have another sign project when 201 arrives.


fred_ash@bankone.com

> At the risk of stealing Kevin's thunder, the
> IC's "back-dating" of 201 in
> 1926-28 included new/old wood pilots,
> headlight and a balloon stack very similar
> to its 1880's appearance. The locomotive, as
> was typical, had evolved over time with a
> steel cab, different coal bunker,longer
> smoke box and appliance changes. It probably
> could be taken to its 1926 appearance.
> Should it? It currently is in good cosmetic
> shape; it is in the form seen at the Century
> of Progress, the Chicago Railroad Fair, and
> on tours by the IC over its system; it has
> had its current appearance for 74 of its 122
> years. There are many in-service photos, a
> builder's photo, five newspaper accounts of
> its first run, an equal number of its last
> run, and much documentation of its decades
> of use as a railroad public relations tool.
> I may be cheap at heart, but I think there
> are many ways a locomotive can be
> interpreted without hammering on iron. In
> addition to running coal burners, Kevin has
> become a master at making vinyl signs. It
> looks like he'll have another sign project
> when 201 arrives.

Fred:

Thanks for the reply. I was NOT advocating that #201 be returned to a previous appearance, but whether IRyM (with its policy of authenticity) had made a decision to do so or not. You have stated some compelling reasons to leave the engine "as is." There are obviously some compelling reasons to restore it to its previous appearance as you stated. It will be interesting to see what IRyM eventually decides. Thanks again for offering your insight.

midlandblb@cs.com