Old Time Trains

J.Adams/W.H.N.R. Collection
In this photograph is No. 15, one of the two T H & B class K1 4-6-2 Pacifics. Nos. 15 and 16 were built in November 1923 by MLW. The 15 is shown on the turntable at John Street, Toronto in the early 1930s. It looks as if she is being readied for a run (possibly #741) as the engineer appears to be oiling around with his "feeder" (engineer's oil can). The two men in the tender are taking a moment out from "shovelling the Buffalo ahead". This cryptic phrase was John Street parlance for shovelling the coal from the rear of the tender forward to the coal-gates, for easy access by the fireman. The T H & B and NYC engines were not coaled up at Toronto. One or two men were utilized to shovel ahead with specially designed shovels. The shovels were ordinary coal scoops cut to a V shape which facilitated digging into the coal pile, as it was different to shovelling off a smooth plate. This little chore was how I spent my first hour or so in the employ of CPR. The 15 and 16 were hand fired engines, and I was told that they were the largest hand fired engines allowed to operate in the U.S. in later years. The American Interstate Commerce Commission ordered that by July 1,1938 stokers were to be fitted to all coal burning passenger engines with 160,000 Ibs. or more on drivers. Actually, the T H & B engines would appear to exceed this weight as they tipped the scales with 172,000 Ibs. on drivers. It is possible that because of the very small mileage within the U.S. (approximately eight miles), the T H & B was exempted from the ruling.

The K1 s were the largest and last steam passenger locomotives built to a T H & B design. Prior to their appearance the ten wheeler 4-6-0 and K class light 4-6-2 No. 11, built in 1911, held sway as the top power. Ten-Wheeler No. 10 was observed running between Hamilton and Toronto on rare occasions as late as the early 1940s. In 1948, NYC Hudson 4-6-4s 5311 and 5313 were purchased and renumbered 501 and 502. The 15 and 16 were equipped with Elesco exhaust steam injectors, probably the earliest engines seen in Toronto with this feature.

One morning in the summer of 1947, the 15, while hauling #721 near Oakville, developed an engine failure holding up the westbound CNR main line. Action was swift when a CNR 2600 2-8-0 was dispatched from Mimico and coupled to the 15. The CNR hauled #721 to Hamilton that day.

After many years of faithful service, the 16 met the torch at Stelco in Hamilton in July, 1952. The 15 held on for three more years of regular service including at least one fan trip before she too was sold to Stelco in December, 1955.

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Old Time Trains © 2009

J.Adams/W.H.N.R. Collection

In this photograph is No. 15, one of the two T H & B class K1 4-6-2 Pacifics. Nos. 15 and 16 were built in November 1923 by MLW. The 15 is shown on the turntable at John Street, Toronto in the early 1930s. It looks as if she is being readied for a run (possibly #741) as the engineer appears to be oiling around with his "feeder" (engineer's oil can). The two men in the tender are taking a moment out from "shovelling the Buffalo ahead". This cryptic phrase was John Street parlance for shovelling the coal from the rear of the tender forward to the coal-gates, for easy access by the fireman. The T H & B and NYC engines were not coaled up at Toronto. One or two men were utilized to shovel ahead with specially designed shovels. The shovels were ordinary coal scoops cut to a V shape which facilitated digging into the coal pile, as it was different to shovelling off a smooth plate. This little chore was how I spent my first hour or so in the employ of CPR. The 15 and 16 were hand fired engines, and I was told that they were the largest hand fired engines allowed to operate in the U.S. in later years. The American Interstate Commerce Commission ordered that by July 1,1938 stokers were to be fitted to all coal burning passenger engines with 160,000 Ibs. or more on drivers. Actually, the T H & B engines would appear to exceed this weight as they tipped the scales with 172,000 Ibs. on drivers. It is possible that because of the very small mileage within the U.S. (approximately eight miles), the T H & B was exempted from the ruling.

The K1 s were the largest and last steam passenger locomotives built to a T H & B design. Prior to their appearance the ten wheeler 4-6-0 and K class light 4-6-2 No. 11, built in 1911, held sway as the top power. Ten-Wheeler No. 10 was observed running between Hamilton and Toronto on rare occasions as late as the early 1940s. In 1948, NYC Hudson 4-6-4s 5311 and 5313 were purchased and renumbered 501 and 502. The 15 and 16 were equipped with Elesco exhaust steam injectors, probably the earliest engines seen in Toronto with this feature.

One morning in the summer of 1947, the 15, while hauling #721 near Oakville, developed an engine failure holding up the westbound CNR main line. Action was swift when a CNR 2600 2-8-0 was dispatched from Mimico and coupled to the 15. The CNR hauled #721 to Hamilton that day.

After many years of faithful service, the 16 met the torch at Stelco in Hamilton in July, 1952. The 15 held on for three more years of regular service including at least one fan trip before she too was sold to Stelco in December, 1955.