Steam & Excursion > ID needed for 2-8-0 # 6739 at Hill

Kentucky Railway Museum has in its collection a couple of old prints of a 2-8-0 #6739 that we are trying to identify as to railroad and location. In one of the photos, the station in the background has a "Hill" name board.  The locomotive appears to have an Alco builders plate. 
Any clues as to indentity would be appreciated.  

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The engine has a "New York Central" look about it, if that helps?

Can’t help but nice looking locomotive

Posted from iPhone

I agree that it looks like an NYC engine, but by 1940 the 6700's were 0-6-0 switchers. I'd guess this photo to be 1920 or before?

Michigan Central had a station named Hill in Michigan, but I cannot find evidence of a steam locomotive numbered 6739. With the NYC System, a lot of renumberings took place. Perhaps if someone has access to an American Locomotive construction list, that person can check out as built numbers.

From the 1943 Official Guide station name HILL; ARK Frisco, Brit Col BC Elec, Maryland Pennsy, New Mex ATSF, Tenn NC&StL, VA Clinchfield, I hope this might help, KCRW287

I'm guessing that building isn't a station
(i.e. not a place where passenger trains stop).

Alco 72692 built March 1945 as 2-10-0 became U. S. Army #6739.  This looks like maybe a decapod to but I can not explain where the US Army used those engines at that date. 

Alco earlier built 2-8-0 in 1907 #44089 for NYC (CCC&StL) in 1907 with Number 6739.  This is most likely the answer if it is a consolidation in the photo.  Looks NYC to me but I do not know NYC. .  



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/17/19 13:33 by PlyWoody.

PlyWoody Wrote:
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> Alco earlier built 2-8-0 in 1907 #44089 for NYC
> (CCC&StL) in 1907 with Number 6739.  This is most
> likely the answer if it is a consolidation in the
> photo. 

Yes, it's a Consolidation. Your info could be correct. The Big Four went to Cincinnati, maybe made transfer runs to the L&N at DeCoursey? (That could be the Kentucky connection.)

From the dress of the people in the photo and the appearance of the original photogrpahic print, I believe that the image is pre-1920. If that inspres anyone's thinking.  

I'm going with the Big 4.  Definitely a NYC look.

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Steam Locomotives of the New York Central Lines, Vol.2, pretty much confirms Plywoody's numbers.  6739 was built by Alco in 1907 for the CCC&StL, (Big Four).  It was a Class G-6c.  That book has a photo of 6719 which looks to be identical to that in the original poster pic, including the footboards.  Minor differences include non-spoked wheels on leading truck, snding pipes a little different.   As far as HILL goes, I have no clue.

nycman Wrote:
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> ...   As far as HILL goes, I have no clue.

Hill, Michigan near Jackson MI on MC: 

http://www.michiganrailroads.com/stations-locations/102-jackson-county-38/1050-hill-mi-jackson

The Big Four's Cincinnati Northern subsidiary terminated at Jackson, MI.

Thanks to everyone for trying to identify this one.  Especially nycman and ts1397 who nailed the engine and location.  I will see that this info gets added to the photos for future refernce.  

Not much left today, but Big Four had a yard called "Hill" at Beech Grove,IN.

Vernon Sargent
Greencastle, IN

vern Wrote:
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> Not much left today, but Big Four had a yard
> called "Hill" at Beech Grove,IN

Thanks, however Hill, IN on the Big Four is not listed as a station in the Jan. 1910 Guide or the June 1916 one.

ts1457 Wrote:
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> vern Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Not much left today, but Big Four had a yard
> > called "Hill" at Beech Grove,IN
>
> Thanks, however Hill, IN on the Big Four is not
> listed as a station in the Jan. 1910 Guide or the
> June 1916 one.

Not in the Guide as a station, but there is a yard and yard office named Hill mentioned in Big 4/NYC employee timetables in the Indianapolis area.

NYC303 Wrote:
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> Not in the Guide as a station, but there is a yard
> and yard office named Hill mentioned in Big 4/NYC
> employee timetables in the Indianapolis area.

The structure in the photo looks more like a yard office than a "station" with agent, etc. You might have nailed it. Is Indy flat like the area in the picture?

NYC303 Wrote:
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> Not in the Guide as a station, but there is a yard
> and yard office named Hill mentioned in Big 4/NYC
> employee timetables in the Indianapolis area.

What time period are the timetables from?

Two plausible explanations. Because of  the apparent size of the place, I am leaning toward Beech Grove, IN now, but I think more information is needed either way.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/19 09:27 by ts1457.

Beech Grove is a suburb of Indianapolis. Yes, it's "flatlands".

Vernon Sargent
Greencastle, IN