Steam & Excursion > The Consolidation Gets Around

This Illinois Central 2-8-0 was outshopped by Alco's Schenectady works in 1903, originally carrying number 698.  The original #733 was rebuilt into an 0-8-0 switcher in October of 1942, and #698 was given the number in January of 1943.

1.  The locomotive was outside the roundhouse at Carbondale, Illinois, on May 13th, 1950.  The locomotive was likely in use on the run down the Carbondale District to Reevesville on the Edgewood Cutoff and Brookport on the Ohio River.  Once the main route to Paducah via a river ferry from Brookport, the Carbondale District had little traffic left by this time and would be facing abandonment by the middle of the decade.  Note the six-chime whistle the locomotive is carrying; this type was standard before the adoption of the Paducah manufactured long-bell three-chime most associated with the I.C. today.

2.  This photo shows #733 working a freight job at an unidentified location; date unknown.

3.  October 22nd, 1953, finds #733 at Rantoul, Illinois.  A few years prior, the branch lines out of Rantoul were home to Mogul-types dating from before the turn of the century.  Note the locomotive is now sporting the long-bell three-chime whistle.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

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4.  On last shot finds #733 at Paducah, Kentucky, on April 18th, 1957.  The tire tread is rusty at this point, and it appears likely the fifty-four year old locomotive has seen her last train.  She would be scrapped, but sister #764 would be donated to the Museum of Transportation in the St. Louis area.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

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Neat old workhorses! #2 is great. Can’t lose with the engine crew in photo!