A&Y 444

A&Y #444

 This locomotive had the following characteristics: 

Construction year 1903
Construction number c/n 26191
Constructed by Baldwin Locomotive Works (Philadelphia, PA)
Southern Class J
Cylinder size (inches) 21"x28"
Steam pressure (pouind per square inch) 200 lbs
Driver size (diameter) 56"
Weight (in pounds) 171,550 lbs
Tractive effort (in pounds) 37,485 lbs

This was another class J Consolidation built in Pittsburgh (s/n 26191) in 1903 for the Southern Railway. The number was kept when it was leased by the A&Y. The 444 was delivered February 11, 1937 on a rental (not lease) basis during fertilizer season which was supposed to begin March 1. The A&Y used this engine on February 11, 12, 16, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27 as emergency substitute due to blowout of bridge in cylinder of a different A&Y engine that was sent to Southern's Spencer Shops for repairs. In March of 1937, rental rates were to be per negotiated agreement, not per day rental. The #444 was returned to Southern on June 15, 1937.  It went back to the A&Y on June 25 and remained in continuous service until September 2 of that year. Then it was used intermittently in September on 13-14, 27-?. Finally, after some negotiation, the 444 was added to the lease in replacement of both  #254 and #344 on October 14, 1937. It was listed on November 19 of that year as having a value of $16,000 and a rental rate of $53.66 per month.  I believe the #444 was kept in continuous service under the lease agreement and according to Richard E. Prince, it was retired in May, 1946, but James Bowie wrote on his photograph that he caught  this engine at Greensboro in 1948! Another correspondent, Harold W. George has confirmed that as a child he saw #444 doubleheading after 1946.

Photos:

AY449_Sanford_1938_Bowie

Click on the image to get a larger size.

James Bowie of New York  photographed the 444 in Greensboro in 1948, but differs with Richard E. Prince on the class of this locomotive and when it was retired.  I believe #444 was a Class J. Image is from my personal collection.
AY_444_and_280_gulf_10_00_1940_by_vollrath_trogdon.jpg (209533 bytes) Harold Vollrath shot #444 doubleheading with #280 at Gulf in 1941. The photo is in the collection of Dewey Trogdon.
AY_444_yadkin_08_00_1941_by_vollrath_trogdon.jpg (223984 bytes) Another Harold Vollrath photo of #444. This time it's 1941 and the place is reported as Yadkin, but that looks a little like other shots at the yard in Greensboro, so I'm not sure. Also from the collection of Dewey Trogdon.