In addition to the 2118, two R-5-As were equipped with the C&NW automatic train control system: 2052 and 2151. All three of the Prairies appear with that equipment on the Dec. 1, 1950, assignment sheet (assigned to the Aurora Division), and so do their two successors, NW2s 9208 and 9209. The two diesels carried the train control into the late 1960s, the April-May-June 1968 assignment sheet still showing the ATC, but not the Jan.-Feb.-March 1969 sheet. Attached is a view of 9209 at the Eola roundhouse on April 16, 1964, and the train control box can be seen atop the hood just in front of the cab, with the line from the box going down to the front journal of the rear truck. Additional train control equipment is contained behind the pair of doors mounted diagonally between the cab front and the hood, where the somewhat larger layover heater compartment was placed on switchers so equipped. I just acquired this negative on eBay.
Hol
To: cbq@yahoogroups.com
From: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2015 12:22:55 -0500
Subject: [CBQ] Unusual Prairies [2 Attachments]
January 28, 2015
Hol and Group - I can contribute two images, both inserted and
attached, of unusual Prairies from my digital collection. The first shows
Class R-5 No. 2118 at Mendota, IL, in an undated view. What's unusual is the
C&NW style cab signal box mounted on the pilot deck. This R-5 and another
sister were so equipped for the Mendota to Sterling, IL, run that included
running over the cab signaled C&NW mainline into Sterling. No.
2118 was constructed by Brooks in 1906. The locomotive enjoyed a long service
life not being sold for scrap until August 1951:
The second image is unusual in that it shows the very last R Class
locomotive under steam. Whereas most of us "old head" Q rail fans are familiar
with the two Class O-1-A locomotives Nos. 4943 and 4963 that the Q leased to the
Bevier & Southern RR, not as well known is that they were preceded by Class
R-4-A No. 1987. The dirty locomotive, constructed by Brooks in February
1905, is shown at Bevier, MO, on May 8, 1954. When No. 1987 eventually came
due for heavy repairs, the B&S returned her to the Q and she was retired in
April 1955:
Somewhere I have seen an image of what I recall was an R Class engine with
four single stage air compressors all lined-up in a row on the fireman's side. A
real odd ball R Class engine if there ever was one. I do not have that
particular image in my digital collection, but if any one else in the Group
does, please share it with us. The R Class was a very successful
design for a small-to-medium size locomotive and a good number
survived right up until dieselization of the secondary yards and branch lines
they called home. No R Class locomotives were preserved. I think the Q rostered
more R Class locomotives than any other Class. Am I correct? Best Regards -
Louis
Louis Zadnichek II
Fairhope, AL
