The C&IM had built (1923), and operated the last mainline 4-4-0s . However, they had minimal passenger service. The Katy , along with the D&H in the east, upgraded and maintained large numbers of passenger service 'Americans". Until dieselization, and the post Second World War general collapse of passenger service, there were many spiffy old ladies working branch line locals all over the KATY. They were not the only 4-4-0s still in service, but in presenting the public image of a major railroad were unique in the numbers of runs they held down; and as a consequence the numbers of people they symbolized a railroad too. Some might bemoan that, and the KATY sure used early diesels on their publicity stuff, but those dolled up 4-4-0s will outlive some E units in the mindseye of KATY people. . Good-Luck, PJB
Interesting! I had been under the false impression that these locos had pretty much faded away everywhere, during the years between WWI, and the Great Depression. Boxcab E50
Nope as a matter of record the only surving Katy steam engine is a 4-4-0 and sits in the dept of transportation museum in St.Louis,Mo
