Train no. ON-2

NG503014

Train no. ON-2

Steam Locomotive

There was both honor and ignominy for this sleek, Scullin drivered L-4, no. 3137, on the occasion of her last run on January 10, 1956. She was assigned to no. 302, the overnight train from Cincinnati to Detroit, and it bears mention that this was the last trip for a member of her class on a passenger train. It might have been one to remember with nostalgic pride, but, alas, it had a disastrous ending for the 3137. She never reached her destination, but was the victim of a broken side rod on the Ohio Central Division portion of the run, Worse yet, she was dragged by a diesel into Toledo, where she was taken to Airline roundhouse and left to die. She was undoubtedly in better mechanical condition when this picture was made of her in early 1955, but with roundhouse forces cut to the limit (or below it), and the supply of materials for steam power inadequate and difficult to replenish, the process of deterioration could be rapid indeed. She is shown here at St. Clair Street on ON-2, the merchandise hotshot from Indianapolis to Cleveland. The train is bearing down on Massachusetts Avenue interlocking, where the "B-line" parts company with the Nickel Plate and Monon and curves sharply eastward into the tangent which leads to DX (1.8 miles east) and on out of town. Massachusetts Avenue yard, a five-track facility, is behind the train on the far side of St. Clair Street. It serves primarily the Kroger warehouse in the left background.

Jeremy Taylor

Jeremy Taylor

2-1/4x3-1/4 neg

Fall, 1955

To buy a copy of this photograph; click here NG503014

4/8/2002

378

L-4b

#3137

Lima

St. Clair St., Indianapolis, IN

See NG503014a