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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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?
Yes, 3004 was the one on the last Wolverine run, and 3005 on the Big Four. NY Central had 600 Mohawks. 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. I still haven't found the tape where I saw that last run of the Wolverine.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Nothing wrong with bringing back an old thread for something this cool!! 100 people showing up for the final run is awesome, mayor and all!
Back when railroads really meant something to line-side communities, and their employees were so well respected.
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!
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.
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.