Assisting RF-16s #3815, 3708 on train no. KI-2

NG503061

Assisting RF-16s #3815, 3708 on train no. KI-2

Steam Locomotive

During the first half of 1956, there was a sharp reduction in the ranks of steam on the Big Four. At the same time, there was a marked shrinkage of the territory in which the remaining steam power could operate. The most momentous events in the decline of the iron horse during this period occurred in March, when the renowned J-1 and J-3 classes became extinct. For each class, the last run was made in freight service, since passenger service had been completely dieselized in February. The 5363 sounded taps for the J-1s on a Duane turn of the 15th, returning to Shelby Street on the 16th (doubleheaded with the 5441). The 5435 closed the book for the J-3s on an extra east out of Mattoon on the 22nd, arriving at Shelby Street on the 23rd. Then on April 27th, the end came for the H-6 class with the arrival of the 6394 at South Anderson (she was doubleheaded in from Wabash on diesel-powered no. 75). Territorially, the heaviest blow suffered by steam fell in February, when Bellefontaine was made an all-diesel terminal. This move dried up steam operations on the Cincinnati Northern and on the "B-line" east of South Anderson. Finally, the west end of the Indiana Division main line was dieselized on June 28th, with the doubleheading of the 2849 from Kankakee to Indianapolis on KI-2 of that date. The final stages of this run are shown in the photograph above and in the two which follow. This one was taken as the veteran L-2 led Baldwin units 3815-3708 across Belmont Street, just west of KD.

Jeremy Taylor

Jeremy Taylor

2-1/4x3-1/4 neg

6/28/1956

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4/8/2002

457

L-2c,RF-16

#2849, #3815,#3708

BLH

Belmont St., Indianapolis, IN

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