https://www.hodrrm.org/body.cfm?id=239 Heart of Dixie RR Museum SW-8 page
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JTtwBpeiPQ&t=6m19s 2017 loaded on ship
[IMG]http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/during-the-koren-war-u
^ in defining ‘Modern Korea’ is this before WW I, WW II, the Korean War or subsequent to the Korean War?
Bulletin of the American Geographical Society, Nov. 1914
Thanks for the pictures, wanswheel. US Army rail operations abroad were very interesting, yet not often seen.
The Erie Railroad sent one of their Pacifics, I think a K1, to aid in South Korea’s post-war rebuilding. It even operated in Erie markings!
I wonder whatever happened to it? It’s whereabouts now are a mystery. Scrapped, I suppose. But wouldn’t it be something if…
Firelock76- wow, really…hmmmmm
There are some preserved steam locomotives in Korea, but these are generally from the standard locomotive built during the Japanese occupation era.
Anyone interested in the Korean War era can’t go past:
http://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/indexknr.htm
Don Ross’ photos are an amazing resource, regarding Korea and the US Army locomotives there and at home.
For example, the steam loco 1610 illustated in a post above appears to be one of a number of Japanese built Mikados to the Chinese standard design “Mika-1” delivered to Korea during the war, often from orders for China left part complete in Japan after WWII.
These appear as Korean Mika-1, Mika-4 and Mika-5 classes in Don’s listing.
Peter
Erie Engine Serves Korea, Erie Railroad Magazine, Jan. 1955 (page 10)
http://elmags.railfan.net/ERIE_Jan1955.pdf
Donated to the people of Korea after being displaced on the Erie by a more efficient diesel, one of our retired steam locomotives has started a new, useful career, with a leading role in the program to rehabilitate the war-torn country.
The locomotive went by rail to San Francisco and then across the Pacific Ocean aboard the steamship Indian Bear. Retaining its old Erie Engine No. 2524,it was officially accepted by the Korean government in a ceremony on Oct. 23 at Seoul Central Station on the day that it pulled its first passenger train.
The train, No.17 and 18, or the “Unifier” as it is more popularly called, is the fastest inKorea. It runs daily between Seoul and Pusan, a distance of 164kilometers. No. 2524 powers No.17 to Taejon and then returns to Seoul with No.18.
http://www.gettyimages.com/license/514957468
Dwight D. Eisenhower’s remarks at the Help Korea Trains Ceremony, April 9, 1954:
“First of all, I think I may speak for the people of the United States in thanking you three gentlemen—and you, Mrs. Willkie—for your part in mobilizing the gifts of America to go to a country where they are so badly needed.
“I think I can speak, also, for the nation, in thanking the railroads for being so helpful and cooperative in showing such a sympathetic attitude toward this great need.
“I want to speak for just a moment about my pride in what the Army has done. The Army had a long and grueling experience out in that country, as did, of course, all our fighting forces. Yet so impressed were our soldiers by the great need out there, and by the gallantry of their ally, that they themselves contributed more than 25 million dollars. This was completely aside from all of the work they did in providing the know-how for reconstruction of schools, hospitals, roads, bridges—all the things that were destroyed in the war.
“So as they excite my pride, you people excite my thanks. I am certain that all of us are going to have our sentiments stirred very deeply in this country by your efforts. I am sure the response will be everything that you expect.
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Even a quite elderly US locomotive would be too heavy for most of the Korean track. As was noted earlier in the thread, the SW8s were stripped down to 90 US tons, giving an axle load of around 22 US tons or around 200kN.
I’d expect that the track from Seoul to Tajeong would be the heaviest available.
The Pasi 5 locomotives were built during WWII and would have standard parts available. The Erie locomotive might have met a short term need but was more a symbolic indication of support than any real assistance.
Peter
Did some checking here in the archives of the “Fortress Firelock.”
Pulled out my Morning Sun book titled “Erie Railroad In Color” by David R. Sweetland, printed in 1991 (holy jeez, have I really had it 26 years?) and on page 21, in living color, are two photos of Erie Pacific 2524, a K1, at Cho Cho Chang in 1954.
According to the captions 2524 was overhauled at the Pusan backshops under the supervision of the 712th Railway Battalion’s XO, a former Erie employee who made darn sure those Erie markings were prominent!
Also according to the captions the C&O, GN, and PRR also sent steamers to South Korea as well. Now wouldn’t THAT be something if THEY were still around too?
There was a Railway Preservation News forum topic concerning 2524 in 2006, of the “is it still there or isn’t it?” genre. Long story short, no-one knows. Google “Erie K1 Pacific” and you should be able to find the discussion.
Anyone notice that was a Baldwin “Shark” on the point of the “Help Korea Train?”
Yes, hard not to. There’s another photo in NYC Headlight, May 1954 http://www.canadasouthern.com/caso/headlight/images/headlight-0554.pdf and a photo caption calls it a cabbage cutter https://nycshs.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/dieselroster6.pdf .
At the linked photographs from the link under the photos of GN 1130 in the post above, the sixth photo shows a locomotive “765”.
This appears to be a WWI US Army “Pershing” with a non standard cab.
One of these was sent to Korea. It may have been numbered CS2-101 following the 100 WWII USA Army 2-8-0s. I think it was returned to the USA for preservation.
Peter
Every couple of years I go to Korea and usually meet with Mr. Son Gil-shin, who is now retired from his position at the curator of the Korean Railroad Museum in Uiwang, just south of Seoul. During my 2015 trip, when he was still the head of the museum, I asked him specifically about this Erie locomotive and showed him a picture of it, and he said no, that no American steam locomotives remain anywhere in Korea. Also, although there are steam locomotives on static display at the museum and elsewhere in the country, there are no operational steam locomotives anywhere in South Korea.
In November 1999 I saw No. 2029 at the Army’s rail shop at Hill AFB near Ogden, UT. It was one of two SW8 sitting in a small yard adjacent to the shop and both were in derelict condition. Subsequently I learned that both locomotives were scrapped. At the time I don’t think think anyone realized its historical significance, and instead it was just another old locomotive that had outlived its usefulness.