I have recently started reading Eugene L. Huddleston's book UNCLE SAM'S LOCOMOTIVES about the history of the USRA and its standardized steam program. In talking about the light Pacific (4-6-2) types, Gene quotes from a brochure prepared by the Prime Osborn III Convention Center in Jacksonville, Florida, where Atlantic Coast LIne USRA 4-6-2 #1504 is on dispay:
"ACL President C. (Champ) Davis called John W. Hawthorne, head of the road's mechanical department, into his office. It was time, Davis said, to begin preparing for the day when the last of the railroad's old steam engines would be useful only as museum pieces. Davis ordered Hawthorne to prepare for that eventuality by EARMARKING THE MOST SUITABLE STEAM ENGINES REMAINING AND PRESERVING THOSE FOR POSTERITY. Among those selected by Hawthorne was the 1504." The brochure goes on to say, "it was there that Hawthorne found the old workhorse (the 1504), shortly after its retirement on December 31, 1952."

If we are to believe this brochure, then the Atlantic Coast Line had some type of a steam preservation program, probably by 1953 if the above date is correct. And yes the 1504 WAS preserved. But the brochure indicates that there obviously were others. And yet only the 1504 and 4-6-0 #250 (at Wilmington, NC) were known to be saved by the railroad, although possibly 4-6-0 #1031 (which was actually leased to short lines through the late 1950's for service) might be included. So what happened? Certainly one of the ACL's 4-8-4's deserved to be included in this program. And perhaps a Russian Decapod. And perhaps another engine or two. So why was this "program" not carried out? Anyone know the story?

Les Beckman (Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum/North Judson, Indiana)

midlandblb@cs.com

Les,

That's sure an intriguing tale. From what I've read about Champion Davis, he was extremely "tight" with the ACL's funds. It sure seems it would have been out of character for him to institute a steam perservation program.

Hopefully someone can shed some more light on the subject. I sure would have loved to see an 1800 get saved.

Regards,
Hugh Odom

Atlantic Coast Line R-1 4-8-4's
whodom2001@yahoo.com

There are two of them, both given complete class 5 repairs, stored in that same abandoned steel mill with a pair of Pennsy T1's, a J1, an NYC Hudson, and a B&O EM1.
At least that's what I heard.

Or did I dream it?



Aurora7@Juno.com

a pair of Pennsy
> T1's, a J1, an NYC Hudson, and a B&O
> EM1.

...and a Southern 4-8-2...

Southeastern Railway Museum
gapower97@yahoo.com