Train no. 473 taking water

NG502059

Train no. 473 taking water

Steam Locomotive

Niagara 6009 gets a refill at Terre Haute on her way from Cleveland to Mattoon on mail-and-express no. 473. The sixteen-car train is cut behind the ninth car to allow traffic to pass on Seventh Street, at the far end of the platform. This picture was taken during the period when the S-1s handled no's. 407, 473, 446, and 472 between Cleveland and Mattoon, and J-3s (later J-1s) ran the last lap between Mattoon and St. Louis. The change at Mattoon was made because the 4-8-4s were far too much weight for venerable Merchants Bridge. The big engines were used as protection east of Mattoon in case of diesel trouble on no's. 427, 41, 11, 12, 24, and 40. This arrangement worked well enough while it lasted, although the above mentioned trains were not logical assignments for the high-speed, high-capacity S-1s. As exhibited below, it was mostly drudgery, but at least it was work, and the big fellows turned in some remarkable performances.

Jeremy Taylor

Jeremy Taylor

2-1/4x3-1/4 neg

Spring, 1954

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4-8-4

501

S-1b

#6009

Alco-Schen

Terre Haute, IN