Elkville, IL: Elk Coal Mine

(Satellite)

Illinois Central Railroad Scrapbook posted

Easy does it!

During the steam era, coal mines along the IC were typically switched by 2-8-2's, not 4-8-2's with twelve-wheel tenders!  But in this photo taken by Richard Wallin, we see 4-8-2 2604 switching a coal mine at Elkville, IL, on Oct. 18, 1958.  

Note that the ties have sunk completely into the earth and it appears that 2604 is leaning towards the engineer's side.  The hogger has to be extra careful on this flimsy track, for the big 4-8-2 weighs a whooping 794,500 pounds with a fully loaded tender.

Time is quickly running out for 2604 and all other active steamers on IC's roster.  By now most active IC steamers were concentrated in and around the coalfields of western Kentucky and southern Illinois.  However, in the spring of 1959 all remaining active IC steamers will be pulled from service.  In late October, 1959, a handful of steamers will return to service out of Paducah, KY, but not 2604.  It will stay in the deadline until it was scrapped in late 1960.

Richard Wallin photo, Cliff Downey collection.

Dennis Smith: great picture but the engine is not being fired properly.

[Railfans want to see black smoke, but the railroads don't.]

Cliff Downey shared
Dennis DeBruler shared
John Hartsock: I used look at that mine from our kitchen window, and remember when they hauled the locomotives away. I was only five years old when this happened and cried when my Dad told me what they were going to do.

Dennis DeBruler commented on his share
According to the date 1958, that would have been the Elk Mine, Index 692.
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.9004597,-89.2393176,546m/data=!3m1!1e3

Dennis DeBruler commented on his share