New York Central Mohawk Sprite

Something I cooked up in time for Christmas Eve...
Here is Day Twenty-Four of Diamond Jubilee's Advent Calendar: a sprite base of another American engine— the New York Central Mohawks.

From top to bottom:
- Class L2d number 2933, as preserved
- Class L3a without smoke lifters, numbered 3000
- Class L3a with smoke lifters, numbered 3001

Number built: 600 (mostly by ALCO, but 50 L-4's built by Lima)
Number preserved: Two (one L-2, one L-3)

The Mohawks, a name which was preferred by the New York Central Railroad over the 'Mountains' which in turn was used on other railroads, were designed to mainly freight trains but also passenger trains, which they did successfully until the very end of steam on the system in 1957. The Mohawks were made up of four classes with numerous variants, including an experimental three-cylindered engine. 600 were built between 1916 and 1943, and only two examples survive today.

ABOUT THE SURVIVORS:

2933, an L2d, is a particularly lucky survivor. It was built in October 1929 by ALCO, for use on the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St Louis Railroad (Big Four). It was initially numbered 6233. However, the Big Four was consolidated into the New York Central System, so went into NYC stock and re-numbered 2933. As an engine of the former Big Four, 2933 was often overhauled or repaired at the Beech Grove shops. 2933 was one of the last large steam locomotives of the NYC to be overhauled at Beech Grove, and continued to haul freight until 1957, when it was retired. By then, 2933 was transferred to Selkirk, New York for use as a stationary boiler. It survived for such a long time that the locomotive was donated to a museum— that being the St Louis Museum of Transport in Kirkwood, Missouri. The 2933 had been recently cosmetically restored, and the volunteers have done a wonderful job at properly restoring it.

3001, an L3a, was also incredibly fortunate enough to escape the cutter's torch and is also the largest surviving NYC steam locomotive. Built by ALCO in November 1940 and entering service the following month, the L3a was a purely dual-service (mixed-traffic) engine, spending most of its life in the East, and its later years in Ohio. These highly efficient and modern machines hauled both passengers and freight until its retirement on February the 14th, 1957. Indeed, it was due to be scrapped, but it was donated instead to the Texas and Pacific Railroad to replace heavily vandalised and subsequently scrapped T&P 2-10-4 number 638 that was on display at the Texas State Fairgrounds. There, the Mohawk was re-numbered as T&P number 909, and the T&P eventually donated it to the city of Dallas, Texas. It was then donated to the nearby Museum of the American Railroad, and in May 1984 (after trading PRR GG-1 number 4903) the Mohawk finally made its way back to its home territory. It is now displayed at the National New York Central Railroad Museum in Elkhart, Indiana, and owned by the Lakeshore Railroad Historical Foundation. Having been restored to its original identity as NYC 3001, and given smoke deflectors which it had during the latter part of its working life, it would be somewhat feasible to restore the mighty Mohawk back to running order— and even run it on main line excursions!

FACT: The Mohawks were essentially a freight version of the Hudsons, but was developed extensively into the larger and more modern Niagaras. All three types were designed by the NYC's renowned chief mechanical engineer Paul W Kiefer!

You can use it if (or however) you like to use it, but credit is due. 

ENJOY!

Thomas and Friends © HiT Entertainment, Britt Allcroft (Thomas) Ltd/Gullane, and Mattel.
The Railway Series © The Awdry Family, HiT, and Egmont Publishing.
Sprite style © Cj-The-Creator and Princess-Muffins