Did some looking up, and it looks like WM's J-1s were Baldwin's last 4-8-4s, in 1947. the RF&P engines were built earlier than I thought, in 1944-1945. Alco's last 4-8-4s seem to have been either NYC or NdeM Niagaras in 1946 (interesting in that two 4-8-4 designs, under construction at the same or nearly the same time by the same builder, and using the same type name, would differ so radically). None of the NYC engines would survive, but 12 of the Mexican ones are listed as preserved. Lima's last 4-8-4s were the C&O J3-as of 1948, and the very last would be the three N&W engines of 1950 from the Roanoke Shops.

EDIT: In Canada, the last 4-8-4s by commercial builders were Canadian National U-2-fs 6180-6189 (Canadian Locomotive Company, 1940), and CN U-2-hs 6235-6264 (Montreal Locomotive Works, 1944). These, and CN U-2gs 6200-6234 (Montreal, 1943), rounded out the single largest roster of 4-8-4s in North America of 160 examples of the type. Six of these are preserved, plus two more from subsidiary Grand Trunk Western. And of course, we have to mention Canadian Pacific's two home-made K1as (Angus Shops, 1928), Nos. 3100 and 3101, both of which are still around.

Although a series of rebuildings, we should also mention Reading's 25 T-1s, rebuilt between 1945 and 1947 at Reading Shops. Four survive, and a somewhat interesting bit is that the four include the first three (2100-2102), and then a big gap to the last one (2124).

One wonders what it must have been like in Eddystone, Lima, and Schenectady as these and other steam engines went out the doors--and the order books after them were empty of new steam orders.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4-8-4

"Unfortunately, there are stories that the 4-6-6-4s were a disappointment on the WM, with not much more tractive effort than the big Decapods they were supposed to replace, and apparently peak power at a higher speed than what WM had in mind for the service these engines were intended, on the line from Cumberland to Connelsville."

I always wondered why WM bought the challengers, anyway. They apparently didn't use them east of Cumberland where they could have gotten up to a more reasonable speed. Its interesting that the 2-10-0 had more HP then the 4-6-6-4 below 20 mph. The axiom that the most efficient speed range is that speed at which the engine produces its maximum drawbar HP may have not been widely appreciated back then. A modern Mallet that operates in a lower speed regime would have been more appropriate, the 1309 is sort of what might have been.
Even though the WM 4-8-4's are my favorite, they should have been 2-10-4's. They weren't that much smaller than the KCS engines. The WM engines are in an elite group of 4-8-4's with 102 inch diameter boilers: N&W, AT&SF 3765- and DRG&W 1800's.

Tom

Found an example of the whole darn thing being picked up

http://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?/ ... /nw103.jpg

TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE PRESS: Light my fire 1309!
Movement of large Steam Locomotive Chesapeake & Ohio 1309 from Baltimore to Cumberland, MD for restoration and operation on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.

"The transfer of C&O steam locomotive 1309 (2-6-6-2) to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad of Cumberland, MD is an incredible milestone for steam operations in the USA! With this transfer, the B&O Railroad Museum and Western Maryland Scenic Railroad will be preserving steam locomotive history for generations to come."

Within a few days Chesapeake & Ohio #1309 will be lifted onto flat cars for the move to Cumberland, MD. Thanks to the cooperation of the B&O Railroad Museum, we are inviting media to be present during the lift in Baltimore MD. Media is also welcome during the delivery in Cumberland, MD. This Locomotive is special for several reasons. C&O 1309 WAS THE LAST STEAM LOCOMOTIVE BUILT BY BALDWIN LOCOMOTIVE WORKS FOR A DOMESTIC RAILROAD. This locomotive will also be the LARGEST ARTICULATED STEAM LOCOMOTIVE IN REGULAR OPERATION IN THE USA! Once restored, we will be operating every weekend from May - December. Articulated explains the front wheels movement around curves. This locomotive was build for tight turns and steep grades and is perfect for our Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.

Only authorized guests will be allowed on property.

More info to come. We have a few surprises up our sleeve this week for everyone.

Stay in the know.... Light my fire 1309!
Options to donate join volunteer at http://www.wmsrf.org

STAY TUNED!

Jody Shaw
Media/WMSR Foundation Coordinator

She's getting closer, closer. . .slow, but closer.

I had to laugh because I started hearing the Jaws theme. Closer...closer...
I can't get over there to watch her move, but even my road-trip-averse husband said "We've gotta go ride behind her when she's ready!"

The article states it will be the largest articulated in service in the United States upon completion.If this is true, what are the UP Challenger and Big Boy referred to as? I'm sorry if it sounds dumb, but I don't understand the differences that make this an articulated but the other two not.

LARGEST ARTICULATED STEAM LOCOMOTIVE IN REGULAR OPERATION IN THE USA! Once restored, we will be operating every weekend from May - December.

Neither 3985 or 4014 are "in service".

UP's 4014 webpage says that 4014 "will undergo restoration that is anticipated to take three to five years"... so 2017 is the earliest it is expected to be "in service".

3985 last ran in 2010 (I think).

The impact on enthusiasts and tourists 1309 running on a scheduled basis will have (at affordable fares), will be a much bigger one than a once-a-year-trip of a 4014 in the desert followed by helicopters.

Mike

Seems like an awfully big locomotive to operate daily. Railfans, while strong contributors to the enthusiasm for operation, are not as critical in the equation as fare paying regular riders, who come for the steam experience. I'm not complaining. I sincerely hope the rarity and experience draw in the crowds being hoped for.
Great locomotive! Great arrangement.

it isnt a monsterlike engine like a big boy, challenger, Y6b, class A, Allegheny, more like a 2-10-4, large 4-8-4.

If I understand the situation correctly, the crowds are already there, and have been. Their very large 2-8-0 regularly needs diesel helpers to haul the weekend trains. The idea is that #1309 will be able to pull those trains solo. Pretty cool seeing a steam engine returned to service to replace a diesel.

Thank you for the clarification. I can't wait to see C&O 1309 in service, and I know the WMSR has good people for the job.