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
