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Business on the New York Central Hojack line has been increasing. The lone Mogul serving the fruit growers and canners along with coal for the power plants can't keep up. The line has been falling into disrepair so adding bigger power isn't an option at this time.

Rather the Central found another Mogul the the Wabash was getting rid of. Before putting it out for service the Central shops made it conform to standard practice,

The headlight was moved to the top of the smokebox and number plate put in its place on the front of the smokebox. Coupler lift chain and bell and whistle pulls added. To deal with the cold winds coming off Lake Ontario cab curtains added along with a deck apron so the fireman didn't have to straddle the gap to the tender. Lettering was removed and reapplied and it was placed in Central's class E-1c of 2-6-0s.

Valve timing was altered for a proper 4 chuffs and passageways opened up for better steam and smoke exhaust.

Some pics before during and after shopping.

WabashWabash_stripNYC_1916_FrontNYC_1916_sideNYC_1916_rear

Pete

 

 

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A bit of luck here Thomas. I was hoping Lionel had done an engine with a number close to 1924. As luck would have it, they numbered their first ten wheeler 1916. One of the subsidiaries may have had a 10 wheeler with that number but on the parent company 1916 was a class E-1c Mogul. Lionel still had headlights, number plates, and RS Boards for 1916 in stock so it was a relatively easy swap. To top it off North Lima was selling off a number of tender shells from the 1924 Mogul on eBay so I only had to renumber the back side and got a pad printed road name in the bargain.

Pete

Pete

Love what you did with your Mogul.  Enjoyed your backstory as well. I grew up not far from NYC's Hojack line.  The line was still active into the 70s, but gone now.  I still railfan along the old right of way near Hilton, NY on the occasion we are back that way to visit.  There are still remnants of former  industries to be found.  Thanks for sharing your project and for the Hojack line memories 

Scott, I am about halfway between the old Hojack line and the West Shore where it reconnects with the old NYC Mainline just west of NY 259. I was able to ride some of the West Shore now rails to trails. The bridge abutments where the West Shore used to cross over the NYC main are still there near Churchville. Pretty cool. After checking google earth trying to locate the route of the Hojack I may have see how much is open to the public but there doesn't appear to be much.

Pete

Pete,  I grew up in the town of Greece and my wife is from Hilton.  I was close enough to the Hojack that if I road my bike fast enough I could watch the train amble over the Island Cottage Rd grade crossing after hearing the first horn blast.  The train ambled pretty slow in the final days since the line was so overgrown with brush and trees that were encroaching from both sides.  I think the old apple distributor building is still there in Hilton - not sure if it is occupied or not.  The old Hilton Depot is preserved and now is home to some shops.  Years ago, there was still the remains of an oil distributor that was obviously served by the Hojack, and there was a unique stone factory type structure to the west of town.  Not sure if that remains either.  Hilton was the quintessential small rural town served by the railroad - a slice of Americana now gone, but thankfully lives on through model railroading!  Congrats again on your great looking Mogul.     

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