Lake Champlain & Moriah 2-6-0 "Mogul" Locomotives in the USA

Class 15 (Locobase 13130)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 36, p. 1 in September 191-.

See Locobase 11765 for a description of this New York railroad. Apparently two Mikados were enough for this iron road with the steep grade, so when they returned to Baldwin they bought this moderately sized Mogul. Like the other LC & M engines, this was a long-serving engine that never left the railroad.

Class 18 (Locobase 13132)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 53, p. 253. Works number was 43018 in March 1916.

Compared to the 15 (Locobase 13130), this LC & M Mogul was smaller with lower drivers and a more strenuosly worked boiler and grate. It too worked into the Republic Steel years.

Class Albert Lower (Locobase 11765)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 9, p. 233. Works number was 4910 in January 1880. See also an account of the LC&M by the Rensselaer Model Railroad Society at [].

This iron-mine road ran 7 miles (11.3 km) from Port Henry on Lake Champlain to the mines at Mineville, New York. Since Mineville perched 1,300 ft (396 m) above the lake level, the average ascent was 186 to the mile (35.2 m/km) or 3 1/2%.

No telling how small a train this rather modestly endowed Mogul might have been able to work. The author of the NEB&W guide adds other picturesque details about the style of operation: "I understand the locos were always on the downward side of the train to prevent run-aways, and the tender end was lowest to keep the water covering the crown sheet of the fire box." The grate was fitted with nine water bars.

After 30 years on the LC & M and the installation of a new boiler in 1905, the 7 was sold in 1920 to locomotive rebuilder/reseller Southern Iron & Equipment, which sold it to E P Burton Lumber Company. Doubtless the new line's profile was less challenging.

It's something of a surprise to learn that the LC & M remained in service until 1971, when an explosion at the Republic Steel plant effectively scuttled any future demand for ore.