Steam & Excursion > ICRR's Last Built "Big Mike"

The 2-8-4 was called the Berkshire type by most, but the Illinois Central didn't go for that.  On the I.C., the 7000 class got the nicknames "Limas" or "Big Mikes," depending on who you talked to.

After testing the Lima A-1 prototype, the I.C. signed up for fifty of their own and the bought the A-1 herself.  This is the Lima builder's photo showing the last of the fifty copies, delivered in December of 1926 and carrying the road number 7049.

The I.C. decided the Big Mikes weren't fast enough for faster freight schedules in the mid-thirties.  They may have had excellent steaming capacity, but the driver size was the same as the Harriman Mikados delivered between 1912 and 1923.  After an experimental conversion of one of the 7000s into a fast freight Hudson produced lackluster results, the decision was made to make improvements to the running gear instead; renumbering them to the 8000 series as they went.

The 7049 got her rebuild sixteen years after she was delivered, emerging as the 8024 in December of 1940.  The I.C. was never truly satisfied with the 2-8-4s, and they were the first class of big steam power to be stricken from the roster.  This locomotive went earlier than most, being scrapped in 1949.

Most of the rest were gone by the end of 1954.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

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Thanks for the intersting history of these locomotives.

Thanks for so many great posts. The information is equally well done as the photos.
Bob

Which one was sacrificed to become the 2499, then 1 (or the other way around) I think they should have fine tuned it and have a high speed freight 4-6-4.

Frisco1522 Wrote:
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> Which one was sacrificed to become the 2499
That would be #7038, which was outshopped as Hudson #1 (later #2499) in May, 1937.

> I think they should have fine tuned it and have a high speed freight 4-6-4.
The problem with #1 was that the factor of adhesion was too low with six drivers and she was very slippery.  The master mechanic a Clinton, Illinois, tinkered with her and eventually was able to bring adhesion to an acceptable level through a combination of adjusting the weight equalization and decreasing the cylinder bore.  The only problem was that the end result was a locomotive that didn't put any more power to the rail than the heavy Pacifics.  It was then that she was renumbered 2499 and sent to the Kentucky Division where she performed well for the remainder of her career in passenger service.

The photo shows #1 at Homewood shortly after her rebuilding in 1937.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

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The T&P repoertedly rebuilt its Lima 2-10-4's, also with 63" drivers, successfully for higher speeds. Their engines were similar to the Lima Berks in many respects. I wonder if T&P's changes would have made the IC engines more successful. Didn't the mechanical people talk to each other?

A fine post, and two very interesting images - thanks. I had never noticed that rather prominent pipe running along the top of the boiler from the front end to near the cab. Not that IC cared (or should have), but not very photogenic, and a bit odd. Any idea of the function? Feedwater heater use?

IC steam views are always most welcome. Always great to see,

MC

Most likely it’s the superheated steam pipe to the cab for appliances.

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