0-4-4T Forneys--Disposition?
Anybody know what happened to the following 0-4-4T Forneys after they were used to tear down the Elgin, Belvidere & Rockford Ry. Co. in 1930?
Here's what I know about each...
• “No. 54 was built by the Rhode Island Locomotive Works (Providence, R.I.—one of the original seven companies that merged to create Alco on June 24, 1901). Rhode Island built No. 54 on September 21, 1878 (BN 728). It was rebuilt as a Class K2 by the Pittsburgh Locomotive & Car Works (Pittsburgh, Pa.—also one of the original seven companies merged to create Alco). No. 54 was outshopped on December 28, 1893 (BN 1506). It was sold by IRT directly to Elgin, Belvedere & Rockford Ry. Co., Chicago, Ill. on September 19, 1930.
• “No. 64 was also built by Rhode Island Locomotive Works. It was released on September 26, 1878 (BN 723). No. 64 was rebuilt as a Class K2 by Pittsburgh Locomotive & Car Works and outshopped January 16, 1894 (BN 1513). It too was directly sold to the Elgin, Belvedere & Rockford Ry. Co., Chicago, Ill on September 19, 1930.

hankmorris@earthlink.net

> 0-4-4T Forneys--Disposition?
> Anybody know what happened to the following
> 0-4-4T Forneys after they were used to tear
> down the Elgin, Belvidere & Rockford Ry.
> Co. in 1930?

Although I don't know the disposition of these locomotives, I do know that both were converted to wood burners with the addition of spark arrestors (see recent posts about ties and line poles as fuel). Bion Arnold used the engines to scrap the railway and to move a few cars stranded upon de-electrification. The Bion Arnold papers in the New York City Public Library contain a wealth of information about this line's last years-including Arnold's three-page response to a railfan's letter asking about old wood burners on his property.



fred_ash@bankone.com

> Although I don't know the disposition of
> these locomotives, I do know that both were
> converted to wood burners with the addition
> of spark arrestors (see recent posts about
> ties and line poles as fuel). Bion Arnold
> used the engines to scrap the railway and to
> move a few cars stranded upon
> de-electrification. The Bion Arnold papers
> in the New York City Public Library contain
> a wealth of information about this line's
> last years-including Arnold's three-page
> response to a railfan's letter asking about
> old wood burners on his property.

Unfortunately, Chicago is not New York. I have no simple way to visit the New York Public Library. Unless somebody volunteers...

Thanks for your help

Hank

hankmorris@earthlink.net

Hank,

I am in San Francisco also a long way from those big lions in front of the public library.

Suggest you write to them. I have had better luck with a letter than e-mail. You can use the web site for address etc.

Ted Miles


ted_miles@nps.gov