Train no. BF-9

NG503020

Train no. BF-9

Steam Locomotive

BX is the interlocking on the west side of Indianapolis where Illinois Division freight trains move on and off the Belt. At this location, the Belt tracks in their swing from the south around to the west side of town assume a north-south course, and consequently at BX they cross the NYC mains at right angles. This picture was taken along the NYC at the western limits of BX interlocking. Coming off the Belt and heading west for its run to Mattoon is the Illinois Division's Hill BF-9, which on this occasion was made up of 60 assorted cars and was drawn by L-4 no. 3121. The latter was a Scullin-drivered transferee from the Michigan Central which had a brief tour in Big Four freight service (the steam-heat pipes were removed from the MC L-4s by the time they were transferred). In poor mechanical condition generally, the 3121 was taken out of service at Sharon not long after her arrival from the MC. She is shown here clumping onto the westbound main, with the head end of her train on the wye connection with the Belt and the rear end on the Belt itself. The track in the middle foreground, known as the "passer", runs from BX to Mount Jackson, 0.9 miles, and is used for keeping road freights and yard cuts out of the way of passenger trains.

Jeremy Taylor

Jeremy Taylor

2-1/4x3-1/4 neg

Apr-56

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4/8/2002

454

L-4a

#3121

Lima

BX, Indianapolis, IN

See NG503020a