A West Central 0-8-0 steam switcher is hard at work in the 1950s delivering cars to various industries.
The 0-8-0s were capable of moving almost any train and still able to navigate tight curves and turnouts.
They served up until the late 50s. One is preserved operational, #1080, which is the one in the photo.
Unfortunately, this locomotive has one bent axle from when it was dropped from a crane. It still works,
but has a noticeable wobble on one driver. Railfans still love to watch and photograph her at work.
The buildings in the background were constructed by the late Wally Schuster.
A West Central Light Mikado (2-8-2) hauls its tonnage through farm country somewhere in Wisconsin in the 1950s.
This section of the line (now called Hunter's Loop) was moved and no longer goes past this farm. A tunnel nearby
was also eliminated. The West Central had a number of these USRA Light Mikados that were used throughout the
system. The West Central also had the USRA Heavy Mikados, the only railroad to have both heavy and light
versions. This engine was made by Oriental Limited (Powerhouse) and painted by club member Dennis Hamilton.
A West Central Mountain (4-8-2) type locomotive blasts through a tunnel sometime in the 1940s. The West
Central bought several of these from the C&O to add to their existing fleet of these USRA locomotives. As
4-8-4s and diesels took over much of the passenger power needs, the Mountains were drafted for fast freight
duties, for which they seemed well suited. This model is an early Bowser with a cast brass boiler. A real
heavyweight! It has a Northwest Short Line can motor and runs like a dream. It has pulled 55 cars up a
2% grade with no problem.
A side view of a 4-8-2 marching through Wisconsin farm country. The C & O markings were still on the
tender at the time of this photo in the 1940s. This locomotive was spared the cutting torch after the end
of steam operations and is used for steam excursion runs. Model painted by member Dennis Hamilton.
A West Central N-1 Class 4-8-4 blasts its way up Andrews Hill and across the Redwood Gulch trestle.
These powerful locomotives had 70 inch drivers and were used mostly for fast freight. These were the
largest of the West Central's two classes of Northern type steam locomotives, but still not considered
large in comparison to many other 4-8-4s of the time. The West Central had 35 of these and they were
used heavily during WWII and the Korean conflict. They were retired at the end of steam operation in
1959 & 1960, all of them having over two million miles of service. AHM brass model (B&M 4-8-2)
converted to 4-8-4 and painted by member Dennis Hamilton.
More Steam on the WC
Diesels on the WC
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