Mobile, Jackson & Kansas City 4-4-0 "American" Locomotives in the USA

Class 30 (Locobase 11521)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines, 1903, as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Vol 26, p. 29. Works numbers were 22983 in October 1903 and 32358-32359 in December 1907.

This Eight-wheeler was something of an orphan, according to the Specifications. It seems to have been ordered first by the Cincinnati, Richmond & Muncie. Then it was redirected to the Chicago, Cincinnati & Louisville (possibly the same road with different corporate structure). And finally it is reported to have been sold to the MJ & KC. Even more surprising was the purchase 4 years later of a pair of sisters - possibly the remainder of an unfilled order?

The MJ & KC was established in 1890 to consolidate the Alabama and Mississippi versions of the Mobile, Hattiesburg & Jackson company. Its initial purpose was to exploit the southern Mississippi pine forests with connections clear on up to Kansas City. The Jackson of the name was Jackson, Tenn. In 1903, the MJ & KC leased the Gulf & Chicago for 99 years

In 1909, the MJ & KC was combined with the equally financially stressed Gulf & Chicago and reorganized as the New Orleans, Mobile & Chicago. In 1917 that name was supplanted by the Gulf, Mobile & Northern. More than two decades later the Gm & N was combined with other railroads to form the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio in 1940

Class 31 (Locobase 11519)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines, 1903, as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Vol 26, p. 194. Works numbers were 23599 in January 1904, 25001 in January 1905, and 25868 in June.

Essentially identical to the "orphan" #30 described in Locobase 11521, this trio had slightly longer tubes. The 1924 GM & N diagram book shows a Rogers engine (works number 37525 in March 1905) with very similar dimensions, but 250 boiler tubes and a total heating surface of 1,693 sq ft.

In 1909, the MJ & KC was reorganized as the New Orleans, Mobile & Chicago and in 1917 that name was supplanted by the Gulf, Mobile & Northern. More than two decades later the Gm & N was combined with other railroads to form the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio in 1940