| One of only two E class Pacifics to be fitted with an air-smoothed casing like the E-4 Hudsons (#620 was the other loco), CNW #617 looks odd as it sits in the scrap line in Chicago, IL, with the missing piece over its smokestack. Originally built by Alco-Schenectady in September of 1917 as CNW 1617, it went through a major rebuild in October of 1941 included the streamlined engine shroud, an applied stoker and an increased boiler pressure to psi to 200 psi. It was renumbered CNW 617 in 1952. After nearly 39 years of service the loco was scrapped on 7/6/1956. Rebuilt specs - class E, 75" drivers, 200 psi boiler pressure, 25x28" cylinders, engine wt of 279,000 lb, tractive effort of 39,600. No photographer was listed for the photo. |