| Double heading a long string of freight cars are MP 1706 & MP 1920 at the 21 Street Yard in St Louis. #1706 was originally built for the St Louis, Iron Moutnain & Southern Rwy by Alco in 1916 but acquired by MP in 1917 during the merger. It was a SF-63 class with 63" drivers and could produce a boiler pressure of 188.5 psi to deliver to its 30"x30" cylinders. It had an engine weight of 370,000 lb and a tractive effort of 68,668 lb. The last of the class was retired by 1955. MP 2-8-4 #1920 was a 1930 Lima built Berkshire but was converted to 4-8-4 75" drivers in 1940-42. Comment on the back reads "#75 running extra at 2pm". R.J. Foster, H. A Stirton collection |