St Louis Water Works 2-4-2 "Columbian" Locomotives in the USA

Class 1 (Locobase 13623)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 27, p. 87. Works number was 24404 in June 1904.

This was an industrial saddle tank that served a variety of basic-materials producers. The specs call for the locomotive to haul "five 100,000 lbs cap[acity] loaded cars on the tracks of the St Louis Water Works at a speed of not less than 12 miles per hour." A sketch of the profile shows no grade steeper than 1% and a road measuring 7.3 miles (11.8 km) long from Bissell's Point to Chain of Rocks.

Whatever the requirements, the engine served for almost 25 years before it went to locomotive rebuilder/reseller Birmingham Rail & Locomotive. BR&L sold the 1 to Alabama Asphaltic Limestone Company of Margerum, Ala in April 1928, had it returned in 1933, and sold it again in November 1933 to DeBardeleben Colliery of Coal Valley, Ala.

Two years later, the 12 went to T R Miller Mill in Brewton as their #12 and remained with that company for 20 years shuttling between a lumber mill and a telephone-pole treatment mill before being sold to the W T Smith Lumber Company. In 1967, WTL sold the engine to the Pensacola Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission, who put it on display at the Marine Museum.