New York Central #6894

New York Central #6894 was built in June of 1912 by the American Locomotive Company, Pittsburgh Works, builder’s number P 51245. It was delivered as #8794 and was renumbered to its present number in 1936. It is a classed as a B-10W by the New York Central and assigned to the Michigan Central whose lines included lines radiating out from Detroit, Michigan to the top of the Michigan, Toledo, Ohio, and across northern Indiana to Chicago. The Class B10 indicates that the locomotive is an 0-6-0 switcher with 180 psi boiler pressure, 57 inch driving wheels, cross compound air compressor, and 21 x 28 cylinders. Subclass W engines were designed to specifications that included superheated steam, outside piston valves, Walschaerts valve gear, and a slightly larger coal supply. Tractive effort of this series was 33,140 pounds and total weight on drivers was 171,000 pounds (85.5 tons). Tender water capacity is thought to be 8,400 gallons. The engine received a number of upgrades over its life including power reverse, ash pan shaker motor, and automatic flange lubricators. It is a large engine as compared to the other steam engines on the WVRR.

The New York Central operated a fleet of 683 class B-10 and nearly identical B-11 switch engines until the depression. During the 1930’s many of the oldest switchers were retired due to the lack of business during the depression and either sold or scrapped. A programmed upgrading of the older switchers was begun in 1913 and ended in 1928 to refit many of the older class B-10 sub classes with improvements of the last series built, including superheating, such as 6894. Many of these engines were never upgraded to the B-10V and B-10W specifications and removed from service through the 1930's. As #6894 was built to the newest specifications it remained with the New York Central until after the end of World War II when new diesel switch engines and larger more modern U class 0-8-0 s began to replace the B-10 and B-11 assignments. B-10 engines stayed in service in places like Connersville until the mid 1950's. A photo of sister B-10W #6895 shown in Detroit Union Terminal in 1939 shows the details of the B-10W engines including the extended coal bunker.

In November of 1945, #6894 was sold to the Wyandotte Southern Railroad in Wyandotte, Michigan and renumbered as #7. Had this not happened, it most likely would have been lost with all of the others. It was again sold in June of 1950 to Nicholson Terminal and Dock Company at River Rouge, Michigan who renumbered it as #15. Apparently it was sold in operable condition when the engine went to Mr. B.J. Pollard of Detroit in May of 1966. It was sold by him to Custom Car Services in Hagerstown, Maryland in January of 1969 and the engine was moved to Hagerstown, but apparently had not be in operation for some time. Custom Car was headed by a Mr. Darby who restored antique passenger cars. Apparently, the Flagler car now at ITM was one of the last restored by Mr. Darby. The locomotive was reportedly used to test steam heating systems on these passenger cars. Whether this was true or was only the intention of Mr. Darby is not known. Mr. Darby’s business apparently did not work out well financially and in 1970 the engine was sold to Maryland Metals for scrap, perhaps by the owners of Mr. Darby's facility. In July of 1971 a group of individuals headed by Mr. Charles Smith purchased the engine from Maryland Metals with the intention of bringing it to the Wilmington & Western Railroad in Delaware. The engine was prepared for shipment, but was never moved for unknown reasons. It was stored on the grounds of the Western Maryland Railroad roundhouse complex until that facility was demolished a few years ago. The engine has since been outside on a siding near the Hagerstown NHRS Chapter / Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum building.

Of the 489 B-10 class switchers, #6894 is the only one in existence. Only one of the nearly identical class B-11 switchers #6751 survives. This engine was on display in Dayton Ohio's Carrilon Park until "sold" and moved to Utica New York.

Of the huge fleet of New York Central steam locomotives, only 12 (including the two above) remain in existence.

As more information becomes available, I'll keep everyone posted. We will put together a full press release for the public fairly soon. Plan is to move the engine by flatcar on CSX. This has been a very complicated project, but with the cooperation of numerous individuals and organizations we have been able to work out the legal and technical details needed to get us to the point where it can be moved.