NYC Last Steam on the B&A

SP 4449 Sep 7, 2005

  1. SP 4449

    SP 4449 TrainBoard Member

    32
    0
    14
    Since the Boston & Albany runs by my house, and that i'm an avid steam fan, I was wondering if any of you had some info on the last steam train to run on the B&A (Not counting the Freedom Train or the Flying Scotsman). I did see one video clip of it. It was the Wolverine with NYC Mohawk 3004 passing the West Springfield Depot on April 16, 1951, but i'd like to know if any of you out there have more info on this train. Thanks.
     
  2. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

    9,709
    2,730
    145
    I know I have seen info on that run, maybe on a video I have. When I get back from chasing 3985 I'll try to locate it. :D
    Curious: You live along the B&A and have 4449 for your name. I moved from NY's Mohawk Valley and the NY Central years ago. Now I live within range of the 4449 and try not to miss her when steamed up. Check my website, link below. [​IMG]
     
  3. SP 4449

    SP 4449 TrainBoard Member

    32
    0
    14
    I've lived along the B&A all my life but my first train video I ever got was on SP 4449, and ever since then it's always been my favorite engine.
     
  4. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

    9,709
    2,730
    145
    SP4449, I have not found that Wolverine "last run" in any of my books. It must be on video. I'll review some of them next. Also just re-discovered that the "Mohawk that refused to Abdicate" was on the Big Four, Mohawk 3005. ;)
    BTW, had a good chase of the 3985, and on the UP thread about her, posted pix of her "guest" engineer, our 4449 leader, Doyle McCormack. :D
     
  5. SP 4449

    SP 4449 TrainBoard Member

    32
    0
    14
    The video I saw was in A&R Production's Whistler's Western: The Boston & Albany Railroad. BTW, Mohawk 3004 was used not 3005, but interesting none the less. Also what's this about a myth about a Hudson Preserved somewhere?
     
  6. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

    9,709
    2,730
    145
    Yes, 3004 was the one on the last Wolverine run, and 3005 on the Big Four. NY Central had 600 Mohawks. :eek:
    Any myth you have heard of a Hudson preserved is just that, a myth. Mr. Alfred Perlman had all New York Central Hudsons cut up and sold for scrap. NONE survived. On the other hand, I have ridden behind two Hudsons, both Canadian, the 2860 Royal Hudson, which is now in rebuild, and CP 2816, recently rebuilt, and they are sweet locomotives. [​IMG]
    I still haven't found the tape where I saw that last run of the Wolverine.
     
  7. SP 4449

    SP 4449 TrainBoard Member

    32
    0
    14
    600 you say? Wow! I saw a list of 4400 series pacifics for NYC. Did they have a 4449? I'm trying to list all engines with #4449. So far I have a SP GS-4, a BNSF Dash 9, a CSX (ex-CR) GP38, a UP SD70M, and a CV GP9.
     
  8. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

    9,709
    2,730
    145
    According to Al Staufer's "Steam Power of the New York Central," I didn't count all the Pacifics but there were hundreds. It's strange that his list shows individual numbers with gaps in the numbering sequence. For instance ther were 4444, 4447, then 4490, all K-11a models built by Brooks in 1911. Later, 4450, built by Baldwin. From what I see in Al's list, there was no Pacific numbered 4449. :(
     
  9. SP 4449

    SP 4449 TrainBoard Member

    32
    0
    14
    Well what would the reason be for dieselizing the B&A so early? The B&M ran steam out of Boston until the late 50's.
     
  10. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

    9,709
    2,730
    145
    I do not know why the B&A dieselized earlier than the rest of the "system," except that they really were an independent road and didn't officially become a part of NYCS until 1961. I have a suspicion that the Berkshire "mountains" may have influenced them. :D
     
  11. SP 4449

    SP 4449 TrainBoard Member

    32
    0
    14
    The helper service wasn't discontinued until 1981. So NYC, PC, and CR still had to add units to help the trains up the mountains.
     
  12. DCER1452

    DCER1452 New Member

    4
    8
    2
    Hi there all! First post, and I know generally frowned upon to resurrect dead posts, but I just came across this forum and thread.

    My great-great grandfather was the engineer for at least some portion of this trip. I've recently begun trying to learn more about my ancestry, but I did know I had 2 ancestors who worked on the rails. Again, sorry to resurrect, but I'm excited to find my heritage reflected online!

    FB_IMG_1626686629552.jpg 20210721_151303.jpg 20210721_151251.jpg download_20171103_032607.jpg Philip C Harter - Engineer.jpg
     
    fitz, BoxcabE50, Kurt Moose and 2 others like this.
  13. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

    13,965
    6,903
    183
    Hi DCER1452, welcome to the TrainBoard. Glad to have you aboard. There's nothing wrong with resurrecting old posts, especially when you have something this interesting and on topic. Thank you.
     
    DCER1452, Kurt Moose and Hardcoaler like this.
  14. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

    9,814
    14,202
    147
    Nothing wrong with bringing back an old thread for something this cool!!(y)

    100 people showing up for the final run is awesome, mayor and all!
     
    DCER1452 and Hardcoaler like this.
  15. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,735
    653
    Back when railroads really meant something to line-side communities, and their employees were so well respected.
     
    DCER1452, Kurt Moose and Hardcoaler like this.
  16. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

    9,709
    2,730
    145
    Welcome aboard, DCER1452. Good to see more NY Central fans here.
     
  17. DCER1452

    DCER1452 New Member

    4
    8
    2
    Thank you all for the comments! I have found in past forums, many complain about resurrecting dead threads, but I'm glad this was worthwhile!
     
    Kurt Moose and Hytec like this.
  18. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,735
    653
    Bringing back any open thread, from the past, is most certainly allowed here on TrainBoard. We have found that with the passage of time, looking back is quite interesting. Updates and comparisons, then and now, can be good fun and very useful as well. (y)(y)(y)
     
    DCER1452, Hardcoaler and Kurt Moose like this.
  19. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

    10,677
    44,870
    142
    I've been on TrainBoard for only 6-1/2 years, so enjoy discovering old threads for the reasons you describe. For organization's sake, it's also nice to have everything under one thread rather than scattered all about.
     
  20. mmi16

    mmi16 TrainBoard Member

    720
    1,323
    39
    May those that complain stay stuck in the mud they have never grown beyond.
     
    DCER1452, BoxcabE50 and Hytec like this.

Share This Page