Extra west
Identifier
NG502055
Title
Extra west
Description
Up the hill and around the next curve from West Lafayette is an uncluttered location known to the Nickel Plate as Summit. Despite its Dame, it is not at the top of the grade out of Lafayette; it is merely where the maximum rate of ascent of 55 feet per mile tails off somewhat. The rate of climb remains significant for about two more miles, almost to the signboard which designates another spot in the wilderness as Balls. The grade eastbound out of Lafayette, with a maximum ascent of 46 feet per mile, is much shorter, remaining at its steepest pitch for about a mile and a half, then leveling off a mile or so west of the tower at Altamont. Both are the ruling grades between Indianapolis and Kankakee, and the difficulties they present are aggravated by the 20-MPH speed limit on the curve at Lafayette. There is virtually no such thing as getting a run for these hills, so both roads have had to resort to helper service. Despite this, the engineer on Extra 2803 West below, spurning a helper, had managed to work his train of 35 loads and 19 empties up to about 30 MPH before reaching the curve below Summit. He was losing some of this as he blasted through Summit, where the picture was made, but by this time he had the battle against gravity well in hand.
Creator
Jeremy Taylor
Contributor
Jeremy Taylor
Format
2-1/4x3-1/4 neg
Date Created
Winter, 1954
Shopping
To buy a copy of this photograph; click here NG502055
Negative Number
489
Class-Lot
L-2c
Road Number
#2803
Builder
Alco-Schen
Location
West Lafayette, IN
Collection
Citation
Jeremy Taylor, “Extra west,” New York Central System Historical Society, accessed May 5, 2024, https://nycshs.omeka.net/items/show/85985.
Comments
Brian Hall
I believe this photograph was taken near the present day Purdue University Power Plant. You can see semaphore signals in the background. Per a NKP ETT, these were at MP259.7 and 259.6. Around the curve is the South River Road bridge at MP 259.5 per the FRA crossing inventory.