Locomotive #602
Whitcomb locomotive #602. Another ex-Army locomotive built in 1944, it was acquired from a Gulf Oil refinery in Philadelphia and arrived at the WK&S in late 1988. The Army used this locomotive in Europe. Upon its return to the States, it was rebuilt to U.S. railroad standards. The locomotive's current paint scheme was inspired by #601, a similar locomotive that once operated on the Lehigh & New England Railroad. Locomotives #734 and #7258 power the majority of WK&S trains. Nevertheless, WK&S volunteers have been steadily making mechanical and cosmetic improvements to #602. The locomotive should begin to see more service.
For a great history of #601 and #602, click...
A Brief History of Lehigh & New England #601
and Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern #602
(reproduced here with permission from the author, R.H. Piligian)
Close up of #602's cab. Photo by William Bokeko.
Black & White photo of #602 southbound between Trexler and Kempton. This photo was taken on Saturday, November 4th, 2000 during a Photo Freight Special sponsored by the Jersey Central Railway Historical Society. Photo by William Bokeko.
To see more pictures from this Photo Freight Special click: Jersey Central Railway Historical Society (external link).
Whitcomb #7 (soon to be #602) with sister #8 in the foreground.
On its way to Kempton at the head of a Conrail freight.
This photo and the one below are dated 6/24/90. Prior to its new LNE paint scheme, locomotive #602 sits beside #65 At Kempton station. Photo by Mike Hartman.
Locomotive #602 is tested on the point of a scheduled steam train. Photo by Mike Hartman.
Locomotive #602's builder's plate.
Spare traction motor (foreground) and generator.
Spare Buda engine. These spare parts were acquired from a sister locomotive that operated with #602 at the refinery. This other locomotive was scrapped.
During the summer of 2007, #602 was shoved into the shop for some much needed maintenance. Among other issues, the fuel tank, fuel system and coolant systems were flushed of decades of crud. It is hoped that #602 will soon return to limited revenue service.
Shown above and below, #602 powers a 2009 Easter special on Sunday, April 5. The matched consist includes all three Reading coaches. Photo by Nathan Mengel.
Photo by Nathan Mengel.