March 23, 2019
Brian - I've enlarged your derrick image and I think it's most likely the 204325. I'm almost positive the last number is a five. That being said, I've attached another
undated image showing 204325 on loan to the TP&W for cleaning-up one of their wrecks. Note the headlight mounted low on the upper works is still in place.
As for the hapless locomotive laying on its side in the turntable pit, from the three drivers with the center being the main driver, what looks like the bottom of a canted
steam cylinder, the semi-rigid trailing truck and, in particular, the long air reservoir being hung center left to the main driver, I think it's probably a Class R-4 2-6-2 type, all being built by Baldwin between 1904 and 1906. Just looking at the image and
the clothes worn by the spectators, I'd say it dated sometime from 1910 to 1920.
I don't believe the location was a major terminal from the light construction of the turntable and it being Armstrong powered (you can see someone at far right sitting
on the push pole). But, from the background, it looks like a fair size community. Since you found the image in a Kansas City, MO, antique shop, the location could be Missouri or Iowa. Archie Hayden who is our resident Missouri expert might have an opinion.
Even though 204325 was assigned at one time to Creston, IA, it would've wandered over its service life.
Where ever this happened, the wrecking gang had a difficult job to get the locomotive out of the pit. I'm speculating, but the locomotive might've had a faulty throttle
valve and closed cylinder cocks that allowed steam to slowly leak into the cylinders and when there was sufficient pressure built-up to silently creep away on its own and tumble sideways into the pit. If this was the case, then a hostler or watchman had failed
to chain the drivers. One thing is for sure, the roundhouse was blocked out until the pit was cleared.
Other List members may have their own opinions on this interesting old image. Thanks for sharing - Louis
Louis Zadnichek II
Fairhope, AL
In a message dated 3/1/2019 2:15:38 PM Central Standard Time, harleyhorse74@gmail.com writes:
