| Built by Lima in May of 1928, this 2-8-4 Berkshire built for the Boston & Maine had the unique "cobra-hooded" (Coffin) feedwater heater around its front plate. During the closing months of World War II, the western railroads were in dire need of motive power to handle the shift in material and personnel from the European front to the war in the Pacific. The Boston & Maine was never really satisfied with its Lima built "Berkshires" and jumped at the chance to help the war effort and to unload its "lemons". The B&M sold ten "Berkshires" to the Southern Pacific and seven to the Santa Fe. .In July of 1945 this loco was sold to Southern Pacific to become their SP #3505 (SP class B-1) It went into revenue service on August 17, 1945. The loco only lasted about 6 years before being "vacated" in July of 1951 at Bakersfield, CA and sold for scrap in September of 1951. Specs - serial #7287, class T-1-a, 63" drivers, impressive 240 psi boiler pressure, 28x30" cylinders, engine weight of 393,000 lb, tractive effort of 66,550 lb. Payne photo |