A&Y #953
This locomotive had the following characteristics:
Construction year 1895 Construction number c/n 2428 Constructed by Richmond Locomotive Works (nee Alco) Southern Class F-1 Cylinder size (inches) 20"x24" Steam pressure (pounds per square inch) 175 lbs Driver size (diameter) 66" Weight (in pounds) ~133,000 lbs Tractive effort (in pounds) 21,643 lbs This was a class F-1 ten wheeler built by the Richmond Locomotive Works (c/n 2428) in 1895 for the Richmond & Danville (R&D 832). The locomotive was renumbered by the Southern to 312 in 1903, and then to 953, likely in 1907-08. The number 953 was kept when it was leased by the A&Y between 1916 until 1932. It was purchased by the A&Y in 1932. According to R.E. Prince, the 953 was lettered for the A&Y. The disposition is unknown, but it was photographed as late as 1944.
Photos:
Click on the image to get a larger size.
This photo of the 953 is found on page 119 in the book "Southern Steam Power" by Harold E. Ranks and Shelby F. Lowe. This book has quite a few factual errors in the photo captions. It is very unlikely that this photo was taken at Yadkin, NC. The A&Y didn't serve that town. This is likely somewhere on the A&Y if the year, 1934, is accurate. This is the only photo I have seen of a former Southern ten wheeler lettered for the A&Y. The photographer is unknown and not identified in the book.
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This photo of a similar class ten wheeler #950 comes from the collection of Ruth Minick. Obtained from Mac Connery, Durham, NC.
The headlight placement may be due to the earlier time of the photo or it may have been due to the shop where it was serviced.
