| Surprisingly, MILW 4-6-2 Pacific #805 was found sitting in a storage/scrap line in Mason City, Iowa in 1938. The was retired in September of 1940 - one of the earliest in the class. Most made it into the 1950's when diesels took over the reins. Alco-Brooks built this loco in April of 1912 originally as CMStP #1527 but was renumbered several times - in 1912 to CMStP 6305 > CMStPP 6305 > finally in June of 1938 to MILW 805 as seen here. Since it was retired in September of 1940, this may have been the last photo taken before the scrapper's torch did its job. Rebuilt specs - 73" drivers, 200 psi boiler pressure, 25x28" cylinders, engine wt of 253,000 lb and tractive force of 40,753 lb. No photographer was listed for the photo which is now in my collection. |