Steam & Excursion > Steam Files - DTSL #2

DTSL 32
2-8-2

Yesterday we looked at the Alco version of Detroit & Toledo Shore Line's 2-8-2 fleet and today we will look at the Lima version.

In 1936 with the nation's economy improving, the DTSL realized the need for more power to expedite the frieght. In September, General Manager J. P. Main solicited approval from President C.G. Browker for three more Mikes. He presented quotes from the three big builders:

Lima:        $83,800 EA in 90 days - about December 20th
Alco:        $85,800 EA, delivery in January, 1937
Baldwin:  $85,880 EA, delivery estimated March, 1937

Lima was the winning bid, and the 30 and 31 were delivered on December 31, 1936 with 32 following on New Year's Day 1937. Supt. of Motivepower & Equipment D.W. Cross sent out a note on January 4th that these locomotives were not to be shown on the Federal reports until the January reporting. Al Wester fired the first run of 31 on January 9th on a Lang (Toledo) to Dearoad (Detroit) turn. Number 30 went out working several days before on the 5th, and 32 seen here had her first run on January 13th. Thirteen must have been a lucky number as when DTSL retired her in 1953, replaced with GP7's, she was sold in 1954 to the Sydney & Louisbourg up in Nova Scotia where she labored as #105 until retired in late 1961 and scrapped that November. The 30 and 31 went to scrap in 1953.

The 30 - 32 were the most popular steam locomtives on the roster, the crews loved them. They were Cadillacs compared the the older Baldwin and Alco Mikes with their vestibuled all-weather cabs and other appliaances such as Schmidt Type A superheaters, Standard Modified B stokers, Baker Valve Gear, Wilson blow-off cocks, Delta one piece cast trailing trucks, and Commonwealth outside bearing engine trucks. As with all DTSL power they were painted in the standard Biscay Green color. For some reason the DTSL never had a Locomtive 29.

Specs: 26' x 30" cylinders, 63 inch drivers, 200 psi boiler pressure, and the same tractive effort as the other Mikes at 54,700 lbs with a 4.36 factor of adhesion.
Originally built with a single 8-1/2 " cross-compound air pump, they later (by 1940) recieved a 2nd one with both on the pilot deck behind steel shields.

Photo location; Dearoad, MI on May 28, 1950
Photographer unknown
 



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 07/23/25 05:28 by train1275.

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Good looking engine. Still a USRA light Mike at heart! First I've heard of "Biscay green." Do any color photos exist?

CPR_4000 Wrote:
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> Good looking engine. Still a USRA light Mike at
> heart! First I've heard of "Biscay green." Do any
> color photos exist?

None that I know of, I've wondered if anyone has ever modeled them.

A purposeful, get-it-done engine. Handsome, in a businesslike way, appropriate for the Shore Line. A very nice roster shot.

As for the "biscay green" paint, I am intrigued. Gotta find out more on that. Maybe my friend in the model railroad club has info, or even a color swatch - he very knowledgeable on all things D&TSL, which he models (not many folks do).. He wasn't at the regular Tuesday night work session at the club last night. This is high season and a very busy time at his job. But I'll see him again. We'll chat about these photos, and "biscay green". I'll be glad to report back then with any news.

Found this online on the GM automotive Biscay Green color, which is cited as a medium-dark shade of cyan: https://encycolorpedia.com/3b6c6b.  I can remember that GM color from the past. The Pantone color is brighter: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/pantone-155718-biscay-green-sticker--324611085643326413/  These are of course all current colors. The Pantone would seem awfully bright and very unusual for a steam locomotive in that era. But the GM #3b6c6b or something like it would seem reasonable, and probably interesting and attractive.

Until then, many thanks for all of this very interesting D&TSL material.

MC



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/23/25 06:26 by ironmtn.

Interesting that the low bidder also had the earliest delivery times, and the product was highly regarded.

I guess Lima may have been the most hungry builder at that point in the depression.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/23/25 07:28 by ts1457.

Lima was top notch.

Victor Baird

Thanks for the interesting read about a railroad I'd heard of but never payed much attention to.  Very nice looking locomotives, and I'd sure like to see what that green paint color looked like.   I'm also curious about an Adams & Westlake  lantern that I picked up many years ago that has SHORE LINE stamped on the lid.  I never knew exactly what railroad that they were refering to but guessed it may be the D&TSL.  Another interesting thing is that it has a tall green globe in it that is similar to a 7 UP bottle.  It's neither the teal/blue green that most railroads identify as green, or amber that most railroads had for yellow.  It's in between, and I don't know what it would be used for.  I don't have it in hand but if I remember correctly, it's the Adams model, so it could be from when the railroad originally started.   I'd enjoy getting any more info about it's use, that I can.

Craig Hanson
Vay, Idaho

I can picture an engine painted in GM Biscay Green. Nice color!

I don't see a power reverse, but there is a rod running from the cab apparently down to the valve gear hanger. Air assisted reverse like CP used? (Silver wheel at right in this photo:) http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/photos/cpr_steam/5468_cab_interior_colour.jpg
 

I see the power reverser.  It's at the top near the center.

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jkh2cpu Wrote:
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> I see the power reverser.  It's at the top near
> the center.


Nice easy to get to location  -  NOT!!!  

That's an unusual location!