Close up of trailing truck and firebox looking forward

NG502007

Close up of trailing truck and firebox looking forward

Steam Locomotive

The Central's Hudson had a characteristic shared by very few other steam types, in that it was an attractive locomotive viewed from almost any angle. It derived an initial advantage from the 4-6-4 wheel arrangement, which guarantees a well-proportioned engine in any case. Then, one of the original aims in the development of the Hudson was to produce a symmetrical appearance, and as a result, piping and appurtenances were hidden whenever possible. Piping which remained exposed was set mostly in horizontal or vertical lines, the air pumps were placed behind shields on the pilot beam, the feedwater heater was partially sunk into the smokebox, and various steam pipes and valves were hidden under a turret housing over the boiler in front of the cab. The overall result was an unadorned but functionally handsome locomotive representing the finest in American steam design.

Jeremy Taylor

Jeremy Taylor

2-1/4x3-1/4 neg

5/1956

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4-6-4

419

J-3a

#5437

Alco-Schen

Shelby St., Indianapolis, IN