December 13, 2015
All - This unusual image shows a fire blackened SD9 coupled to a retired 0-6-0 somewhere on Lines East in 1961. Must be winter time from the bare trees and dusting of snow on the tracks. Information with the image says the
SD9 is No. 373 that had reportedly fallen into the turntable pit at Red Oak, IA, and caught fire. The 0-6-0 is unidentified, but almost certainly has to be No. 1553 that sat in the Lincoln, NE, deadline for several years prior to being sold for scrap in December
1960.
Can anyone provide more details on 373 falling into the turntable pit and burning, as well as its disposition. Was it rebuilt at the West Burlington Shops, or was it used as a trade-in for newer EMD power? As for 1553, since
the 0-6-0 is headed east from Lincoln, that probably means the switcher had been sold to NWS&W in Sterling, IL for scrapping. Could the image location be Red Oak, or was it taken further east? Comments, please. Merry Christmas - Louis
Louis Zadnichek II
Fairhope, AL
