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RattlerJones [2018-11-12 19:40:45 +0000 UTC]

To haul the constantly-growing coal duties on the Norfolk and Western came a solution for stronger steam locomotives on the roster; the Class 'M' 4-8-0. Beginning in 1906 after the time when the Wright Brothers succeeded on their air-gliding experiment, the N&W had receive a order of (125) 4-8-0 Mastodons (not to be confused with the ancient elephant), built by both Alco and Baldwin. This utilized the 4-8-0 wheel arrangement over the 2-8-2 arrangement because of the 'Mastodon's better adhesive weight. Unlike conventional steam engines however, the cabs on these 4-8-0's were found completely along side the firebox that enabled an overall shorter locomotive length. Originally designed with the inside Stephenson Valve Gear, (30) 'Mastodon's were later converted to Baker Valve Gear, with only (10) that were eventually super-heated as well as every one of them being hand-fired. Also known as "Mollies", they may not appeared to be pretty, but for the 1906 technology, they could pull anything. They have a boiler pressure of 200 psi, 21 x 30 inch cylinders and 56 inch driving wheels which combined to produce 40,163 Ibs of tractive effort. For only a short period of time, the 'Mastodon's were the head-to the mainline freight locomotives on the N&W. Within a decade, the railroad started to purchase 'Y' class 2-8-8-2 articulated engines, capable of hauling 2-3x the tonnage, thus downgrading the 'M' Class fleet to shortline service where the rails were lighter for the tonnage loads to be less heavy. One of the 'Mastodon's no. 382 gained acclaim and railroad popularity with the extensive photograph and audio coverage by America's renowned train photographer; O. Winston Link. That locomotive could be seen powering the daily "Virginia Creeper" along the Norfolk and Western's Abingdon Branch until the later years aged the line into abandonment. Today, only two of the original (125) class 'M' 4-8-0's built in 1906 and 1907 remain; no. 433 and no. 475.

While the 433 remained on display at Abingdon, Virginia, her sister locomotive no. 475 was purchased by the Strasburg Railroad in 1991 from the Boone Scenic Railroad in Boone, Iowa. Two years later, after being fired up for the first time after years of silence, the 475 is the oldest and fifth Strasburg steam locomotives on the active roster ever since. She also featured in a 2000 feature film; Thomas and the Magic Railroad, masquerading as a Indian Valley locomotive at a fictional destination called Rainbow Valley. The 475 even saw usage at a number of Lerro Productions 382 Charters recreating the Virginia Creeper with the Strasburg Railroad's vintage rolling stock. 

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