Camden & Atlantic 2-4-4 Locomotives in the USA

Class John Lucas (Locobase 1083)

Data from DeGolyer, Volume 8, p 189. See also Baldwin Locomotive Works, Illustrated Catalogue of Locomotives, 2nd Edition (Philadelphia, Pa: J B Lippincott & Co, 1881), pp. 138-142. Works number was 4287 in March 1878.

Although built for the C & A and initially in that railroad's service, this locomotive had an unusual history. It shuttled back and forth over the 6 3/4 miles (10.9 km) between Camden and Haddonfield, 11 3/4 miles (18.9 km) between Camden and Lakeside, and 19 miles (30.6 km) Camden-Atco for about 20 years. Baldwin's Illustrated Catalogue included tables of repairs and running costs for the John Lucas. Superintendent F A Lister's 15 September 1880 commentary reported that the daily run mileage averaged 143 miles (230 km) or 33,261 miles (53,550 km) in 1878 and 34,907 miles (56,200 km) in 1879. Average speed was 20 mph (32 kph). Coal consumption averaged 3,984 lb (1,807 kg) per day and a tank load of water sufficed for pulling two cars over 20 miles.

According to [] (visited 6 January 2005), the John Lucas only had 35,000 miles on it when gold adventurer Howard A Pedrick bought the engine in 1899 and shipped it to Suriname in northern South America. Lister's summary suggests that the 2005 account should have said that the locomotive had averaged 35,000 miles/year.

Pedrick was hoping to exploit gold reserves in the Marowijne River region and this engine, as well as another, were used in carving an entry into the jungle. But the whole operation was a shoestring affair and the railroad soon fell into decay. By 1907, all of the property had been sold at auction and the two locomotives, along with most of the other heavy equipment, were left to rust in the jungle.