J F Prettyman & Company 2-6-2 "Prairie" Locomotives in the USA

Class 6 (Locobase 14706)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 62, p. 378. See Yale Snowden in collaboration with H G Cutler, History of South Carolina, Volume V (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1920), p. 79, as digitized at [] . (Thanks to Chris Hohl for his 9 May 2015 email and spreadsheet showing that the proper ID for the owner was J F Prettyman.) Works number was 53208 in April 1920.

This engine supported the lumbering operations of the J F Prettyman company based in Summerville.The Summerville & St John had operated in the 19th Century, but was reported abandoned in 1896. The line was sold to J F Prettyman in 1909.

That it was primarily a logging road is suggested by the 40 lb/yard (20 kg/metre) rail. Its main line had relatively gentle maximum curves of 10-12 degrees. This bi-fuel logging Prairie (wood and coal) was well suited to such duty.

The South Carolina history described the operation: "This lumber plant is of strictly modem construction, and turns out a high grade of material. The timber is supplied by about twenty miles of standard gauge railroad, all of which is owned and operated by the firm, as a, means of bringing in their logs and timber, of which they have a sufficient supply to operate the manufacturing plant indefinitely."

The 6 later operated for Charleston, SC's A C Tuxbury Lumber Company.