Steam & Excursion > Were B&O S-1b and S-1c the last new US steam classes ?

My understanding is that the rebuilding of B&O 2-10-2's 6105 and 6168 into class S-1c and the rebuilding of 6222 into class S-1b occurred in 1951.. If so, it would appear that these were the last new classes of steam to be created in the U.S.  Their appearance was much altered compared to an unrebuilt S-1, with centered headlights and shielded air pumps in front, in addition to less obvious mechanical improvements.

Any confirmation or additional info would be appreciated.  The 1951 date seems quite late for this type of activity.

N&W's built new Class S1a 0-8-0 switchers started construction in 1951 and the last one, No. 244 was completed during December 1953.

Looks like we need more exact dates to determine the winner.

LTCerny Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My understanding is that the rebuilding of B&O
> 2-10-2's 6105 and 6168 into class S-1c and the
> rebuilding of 6222 into class S-1b occurred in
> 1951.. If so, it would appear that these were the
> last new classes of steam to be created in the
> U.S.  Their appearance was much altered compared
> to an unrebuilt S-1, with centered headlights and
> shielded air pumps in front, in addition to less
> obvious mechanical improvements.
>
> Any confirmation or additional info would be
> appreciated.  The 1951 date seems quite late for
> this type of activity.

That is the date I am seeing in my resources, 1951.
Cast steel engine beds, air pumps relocated to the pilot, light weight rods and crossheads.

The "Big Sixes" 2-10-2's were fantastic locomotives for B&O.

See this TO thread for a nice shot of B&O 6208 by Bruce Fales in 1935 - https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?10,5523722,5523722#msg-5523722



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/22/25 08:50 by train1275.

Are there any shots of those three big six rebuilds in the early 50's?

(Liked that link.)

jkh2cpu Wrote:
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> Are there any shots of those three big six
> rebuilds in the early 50's?
>
> (Liked that link.)

See if this link works.

https://www.rr-fallenflags.org/bo/bo-s6222n05.jpg

Thanks for the link.  That's some updated engine.  It would have been interesting to see that with roller bearings.