This will probably sound like a very dumb question, but does anyone know what the 2-10-2 loco types on the Burlington railroad were numbered? I know the subsidiary Colorado and Southern numbering system, but the parent Burlington system escapes me.
Also, did the USRA Heavy 2-10-2’s on the Burlington keep their centered headlights, or were they raised to the top of the boiler front? And were they outfitted with Elesco or Worthington BL feedwater heaters?
Sorry these questions seem so dumb, but the Burlington 2-10-2 seems to be a locomotive that I cannot find much information on.
I did not see your post until today, but have some lists for the engine numbers… The CB&Q 2-10-2’s were as follows. The 1919 M3’s looked much like the 6310 series M4 6310 2-10-4 engines,except the 2-10-2 did not get the mars light above the haadlight like the M4 did in the early fifties. Both the later 2-10-2’s and the M4’s 2-10-4’s were good looking engines. We lived in Southern Illinois and went to the roundhouse in Centralia several times from 1956 to 1958. They had three M4’s there most of the time. 6311, 6313 and one more that I cannot recall the number since it did not show up on pictures.
I did find a picture of an M2 number 6101 in The Last of Steam book, but the pictures does not show any feedwater heater system visible on the smokebox. It was probably never modified, since it was a slow drag freight engine on a coal train…
The older 2-10-2’s headlights were still in the upper position much like the mikes…
I found a note or two in the Brown of Brass that indicates the 6303 and the 6308 had Elesco feed water heaters and the remainder of the 8 engines of the class had the BL Worthington.
Thanks a lot. The reason I’m asking is that I have an unpainted brass USRA Heavy 2-10-2 from Key models that according to the phamplet that came with it was used by the Burlington. I’d assume from the information you provided that it is one of the 1919 6300 series. The model appears to be ‘as built’ without any Burlington modifications. It’s a nice runner and I’d like to paint and decal it as authentically as possible.
The 1919 6300 series is correct. Key also made a small run of the model with the elesco feed water heater according to the brass book. Does you model have the USRA standard tender? Later on they had tenders that looked like the Burlington standard tender.
Yes, I also have the Key model with the elesco FWH–the box is marked “Colorado and Southern”, so I numbered that particular locomotive in the C&S series. Both that and the unpainted USRA were purchased about the same time second-hand at an estate sale. Out of the box, both were a little ‘light’ on running, but I’ve re-weighted and re-balanced them. Both are very nice, smooth-running locos and very good haulers, though they DO demand a wide radius–probably 30" minimum (I have 34" minimum, so that’s no problem).
The unpainted USRA has the USRA standard tender. I don’t really want to fool around with adding a FWH system to it, since it’s already so nicely detailed. I will probably change out the headlight to a CB&Q type, though. I’ve always thought the Burlington steamers to be particuarly handsome. Of course since I model mainly Rio Grande steam, I’ve got these–and several others–‘on loan’ to the Rio Grande for the duration of WWII. Wonderful thing about ‘lend-lease’, it allows you to run your favorite steamers without raising TOO many eyebrows, LOL!
Thanks again for the information, I really appreciate it.
I have a problem - and maybe you could help? I hope it is not an imposition. I have a friend who disassembled a C&S 2-10-2 for a paint job. Some health concerns prohibited further action. When he got back to it - he could not recall how the running gear went back to gether. I can’t help.
I noticed that you mentioned a C&S 2-10-2 - would it be possible to get a couple of digital stills of the running gear - particularly the valve gear on the fireman’s side?? It would be a great help.