The gentleman in the tie is Mr. Tyler and Alonzo Weaver is the engineer. The photo was probably taken at Belmont Yard on the west side of Indy. It was an Atlantic type locomotive build by Brooks in 1901 for the Big Four. It was Superheated and had Stephenson valve gear when built. In the photo, it has been converted to Baker valve gear. George E Weaver photo.
Atlantics were speedy little devils. She's sporting at least 72" drivers, assuming both men are average height for the period, about 5'10.
This view is clearly captured at an interlocking. Look at the control rods in foreground. From an "armstrong" type of plant.
These were NYCS classes I-60-63, built Brooks and Schenectady, 1901-04, thus acquired before NYC control (1906). The NYCS numbers were 6900-6939 All had seventy-nine inch drivers and two hundred PSI boiler pressure. Some had 20 1/2 by 26 inch cylinders, some 28 inch, but the variance in dimensions may have come from rebuilding. I do not know how long any of these lasted, but, likely any of them that lasted into the second world war were gone shortly after it ended. A locomotive had to be constantly falling apart for a railroad to scrap it during that war (although B&O did scrap the Buffalo and Susquehanna Atlantics in 1943--they must have been in pretty bad shape). Thank you for the photographs, original poster. I am enjoying these.
About Mr. Tyler , Until 1970 Officials wore suits most of the time . Of course they did not come out of the office except maybe 5 mile from their office . In the later years when auto travel became the way to go they started to roam . We had a Road Foreman who was good on diesels . He was not afraid to get dirty without exception . We had engine trouble at Markleville and he came out . Upon arrival it was a sure bet he was going have to craw under the loco . Finding a cardboard large enough to lay on he was ready . I hated to see him craw under with all of the dirt and grease and volunteered . Taking off his suit coat ,he said this is my job and thanks for the offer , under he goes white shirt and all . Coming out with grease all over ,he said some one at the engine house is in trouble. In later years you could tell when they were over loaded with officials , they would spend all of their time trying to trap the men . CSX was good at this and they fired a lot of good men . LEW
Thanks for another historic beauty, Roger. I need to get out the books to see if any of the Atlantics made it past WWII.