That was due to an anti-smoke ordinance in Baltimore; this conversion was for 4 of the WM's 4-6-2s. Several Pennsylvania engines also had similar conversions, including at least one 0-6-0 and a 4-4-2, E-6s No. 13 (which on another division was well liked for its trouble-free operation, despite that number). And B&O's famous Dockside or "Little Joe" 0-4-0T's that worked Pratt Street were also oil-fired.

Those Pratt Street engines took advantage of the oil firing when switching inside buildings, which was common on that job. One of the former firemen on the job told me they would just turn the oil burner off when going inside, operate for a while as a "fireless cooker", then fire it back up when they got outside again to avoid smoking the place up.

Just out of curiosity-who owns the engine?

"The Children of Hagerstown"--or that's at least who it's "dedicated" to.

More pragmatically, the City of Hagerstown.

Here’s some historical trivia regarding #202. I don’t believe many people know that in the late summer of 1982, the city of Hagerstown offered to sell #202 to the Strasburg Rail Road for $1, an offer that was summarily rejected by SRC (one of our top ten boneheaded moves IMHO).

I’m not sure what if any strings were attached to the deal (I was extremely junior at the time), but had the deal gone though, it could have led to a significantly altered timeline for SRC motive power history. It’s safe to assume, #7002 would have never left the RRMPA, and #475 would have never been acquired, for starters.

I was told by a Strasburg employee that stopped by 202 one day that he believed Strasburg turned down the offer because it didn't go with the tacky western style theme they were going for at the time. In the end I'm glad 475 is happily steaming at Strasburg, and 202 is still sittin pretty in Hagerstown. Not to mention 7002's second career.

-Alex Haines

I did not know that -that's quite a story. It begs to ask - who would turn down an engine in such pristine condition for a dollar??? Unless, just possibly the move was too expensive, 7002 was closer and/or in the works and 475 was well in the future(?) and /or an easier move.

/Mitch

After all the encouragement and elaboration:

Has a licensed contractor done an asbestos abatement?

What is the current status of the 202?

She still sits where she always has in Hagerstown City Park. There is really nothing to report. She sits with her jewelry taken off so that it doesn't walk off. I used to work around her as a docent at the museum but have since moved on for my career. I check up on 202 as often as I can. She could use a little sprucing up, but she still is an impressive sight for the children, and adults, and the city has been putting together new programs centered around her at the museum.

Just out of curiosity, before this locomotive was donated to Hagerstown, was there any truth to the rumor that it was overhauled by the Western Maryland?

Maryland Historic inventory report gives some background on ownership and condition

https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/s ... _20318.pdf

To paraphrase the old time boiler maker who Linn apprenticed under who worked on locomotives of all three lines, "The Western Maryland bought average engines that they maintained in perfect condition, the Pennsy built superior engines that they maintained in average condition, and the N&W built perfect engines that they didn't maintain at all."

Safe to say that #202 was in very good condition when she entered the park, freshly overhauled or not.

I read the document in the previous post and can't figure out what an Andrews truck type oil pump is.
I was contacted many years ago by someone who was working on the 202 asking about oil burner fire up procedures, etc. This had to have been back in the early 90s.
Its a nice engine.