Stanley, Merrill & Phillips 2-8-0 "Consolidation" Locomotives in the USA

Class 9 (Locobase 13207)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 31, p.81. See also [], last accessed 25 September 2011. Works number was 32170 in November 1907.

Northwestern Lumber Company in Taylor County in north central Wisconsin leased the SM & P in 1893 and used the line to bring logs to Stanley, Wisc; the line connected Stanley with Hannibal about 40 miles away.

The Chippewa County Historical Society

Historic Sign #13 notes the following about this little road:

"Passenger service first took lumbermen back and fourth to the clogging camps. Farmers in the area used it for transportation to and from town and for delivery of supplies. In 1909, a gasoline "streetcar" was added to the rail system. The railroad was known for its excursions to points north bringing passengers to parties, dances, hunting camps and picnics. In 1913, the railroad had a total of 276 freight and passenger cars. The railroad came to an end in 1933 after passenger numbers declined from thousands in its booming years to just 33 in 1932."

The marker adds a bit of color: "The S.M. & P Railroad was also affectionately called "Slow, Motion, and Poverty" and "Soup, Meat, and Potatoes".

The Wisconsin Central bought the 9 in April 1923 on behalf of Medford Lumber of Medford, Wisc.