http://www.shorpy.com/node/15628

Another gorgeous Shorpey's photo that a few of you might print out as a poster.

No argument from me, Jeff, although I have to admit to wishing to see a C&O F-19 get the Skorpy treatment.

Uh, oh, watch out, here come the Pennsy fans wanting to see a K4s, and the NYC fans wanting to see a Hudson. . .

http://www.shorpy.com/node/483

and

http://www.shorpy.com/node/15009

On the photo of C&O Pacific #492, there is a large C and O on the side of the coal section of the Vanderbilt tender. (I assume that the full Chesapeake & Ohio lettering is spelled out on the round water section of the tender.) The photo was taken in 1937. Was this large C and O "standard" on the railroads tenders at that time? I guess I should know the answer to that question, but I don't.

Les

Yes, the road name is spelled out on the tank, but not visible here.

I'm not positive, but it seems to only have been a standard for a short time in the 1930s, and only on passenger power. C&O's original 4-8-4s were delivered with it, and it shows up in other photos from the prewar era, but seems to have been discontinued before or during WW II.

A bit of trivia: This version of the herald is called the "doughnut." This is to distinguish it from the later "For Progress" variation.

A unique variation of the "doughnut" herald is on the side of the 1946 station at Prince, W.Va. This station, at the junction of the line to Raleigh (Beckley), was intended as a prototype for new stations in other locations, including Waynesboro, Va., and what would have been a huge example at Richmond, Va. Imagine this being a standard station architecture on a railroad that also ran big steam-turbine-electrics:

http://www.wvexp.com/index.php/Prince,_West_Virginia

http://www.flickr.com/photos/esywlkr/3626479719/

http://spotlightwv.com/co-sleep-like-a- ... mber-this/

http://ptatransitauthority.blogspot.com ... n-m-1.html

http://kyivmodul.org.ua/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=968

A sister to the 492 survives today in the B&O museum in Baltimore. Alas, she went through a rebuilding in 1946 to make her into a streamlined 4-6-4. She's still interesting though, as one of the few survivors anywhere to be fitted with Franklin Type A poppet valves.

http://www.borail.org/CO-No-490.aspx

Horrible streamlining or not, how much would you like to see her run again?

J3a-614:

Thanks for the info on the "doughnut". And to answer your question, yes I'd sure like to see the 490 run again, horrible streamlining or not! Also remember, that the 5th of these rebuilt 4-6-4's (#494) never did get the streamlining jacket. Not the prettiest 4-6-4 to run, but certainly interesting to say the least. If someone can convince the B&O to restore the 490 to operation, removing the jacketing might be a viable option. And don't worry; I'm not holding my breath!

BTW, the Prince station is a real gem. Glad it is still in existence and being used by Amtrak.

Les

As a representative of shrouding, I think the C&O Hudson would be great to watch in action. She'd be a unique part of steam heritage.