New York Central L3a 4-8-2 "Mohawk" #3001 was recently moved around at the National New York Central Railroad Museum in Elkhart, IN. While an equipment move wouldn't normally become a news item, the fact the move is to facilitate the engine's trip to Fort Wayne, IN for restoration is noteworthy.
While the New York Central was well-known for steam locomotives such as a variety of streamlined 4-6-4 Hudsons, a notable fleet of 4-6-6T Hudson-based tank engines for commuter service on the Boston & Albany route in Massachusetts, the legendary--and sadly short-lived--Niagaras (4-8-4), and of course the famous 4-4-0 #999 that set a speed record for its day, very few NYC steam locomotives survive. None presently operate, but #3001 will be the first in many years.
While the 4-8-2 is best known as the "Mountain" type, the New York Central called them Mohawks, after the river which its line follows west of Albany, NY. Both of the surviving NYC Mohawks have interesting histories, and the 3001's is certainly the strangest.
The Texas & Pacific Railroad donated 2-10-4 #638, a sister to the American Freedom Train's #610, to the Texas State Fairgrounds. In a story that sounds like dystopian nightmare from the present day, the locomotive was so heavily vandalized that it was quickly cut up for scrap. But the T&P was not done, so it acquired #3001 from the New York Central, made it look like a T&P engine, then placed it in a park for display. #3001 eventually found her way back to Elkhart, where she has resided along the former New York Central main line for decades, watching trains of Amtrak, Conrail, and Norfolk Southern roll by.
This restoration effort began in 2025, so please see below for links to photos of 3001's recent move, her life as a Texas & Pacific locomotive, and the website where you can donate and learn more about the project.
>Phots of NYC #3001's Recent Move (Facebook/Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society)
>Photos of NYC #3001 as T&P #909 (Facebook/Maxwell Crosby/Texas & Pacific Railroad Railfans)
Featured Image: Facebook/Inad Akeb, Texas & Pacific Railroad Railfans)