Gulf & Ship Island Railroad  Engines

Gulf & Ship Island RR History from Biloxi Herald

Gulf & Ship Island Locomotives

Gulf & Ship Island RR Locomotive Pictures

Saratoga: A logging Town

[Note: Hyperlinks on this page go to pictures of locomotives which are between 56k and 76k in size.  For a page with thumbs of all locomotives, click here.]

G&SI #11, one of the Atlantics (4-4-2s).  The engine also displays the company slogan “Deep Water Route” on the number plate perched on her begrimed smokebox front. 

T. T. Payment, the engineer seems to be glad to be home at Gulfport.  Mr. Payment was rather short; so short, that the G&SI built a wooden riser on the front of the seatbox so that his feet would reach the floor.  He always carried an extra length of whistle cord with him which allowed him to blow the whistle without standing up. 

How many Deep South, Intrastate railroads whose business centered around the haulage of yellow‑pine timber Products could boast a stable of five 4‑4‑2 passenger locomotives ... all bought new, and in three dif­ferent classes, and from two major locomotive builders? Certainly, the Gulf & Ship Island was in this respect unique.

In July, 1904 Baldwin Locomotive Works out shipped two Identical 4‑4‑2 locomotives for the G & S I. These were road numbers 10 and 11 (Baldwin #24432 and #24433). Their arrival in Gulfport was celebrated by the Biloxi "Herald" of August 12, 1904:

The railroad company received yesterday two Baldwin Locomotives of the Atlantic type, which will be used on fast trains between here and Jackson. They are handsome in appearance and weigh sixty‑five tons each.

As delivered #10 and #11 had 19x24 cylinders and 72” drivers. They exerted a tractive force of 18400 pounds, and carried a working steam pressure of 180 p.s.i. They were originally equipped with Stephenson Valve Motion, which was later exchanged for the company fav­orite: Southern Valve Gear. The graceful wooden cabs were also to give way to steel ones of greater utility. #10 and #11 went into service on Trains One and Two which provided through sleeping car service between Gulfport and Memphis, via the Illinois Central.

Exactly two years later Baldwin out shipped a third 4‑4‑2 for the G & S I: #12 (Baldwin #28525). Specifications were generally similar, except for a wagon top boiler and subsequently heavier engine weight. Like her older sisters, #12 sported Stephenson Valve Gear which was lat­er replaced for Southern Valve Gear.

#12 is best remembered as the regular locomotive for the pay train. This train carried the salaries to employees around the G & S I, and so Mr. Earl Evans recalls, paid each man only in the coin of the largest possible denomination.

The G & S I had four mainline passenger trains: Trains 1‑4. In order to provide modern, high‑stepping power for them all a final order for two more 4‑4‑2 a was given, this time to American Locomotive Company.  The ALCO Atlantics were beauties to behold! #13 and #14 were out shopped in August, 1907 (ALCO #44153 and #44154). They came with Walschearts Valve Gear and canted steam chests, 19x26” cylinders, 72” drivers, and 190 p.s.i. steam pressure. The engine weighed 140,800 Pounds (197,900 with tender). They developed 21,050 pounds of tractive effort.

When the Illinois Central took over the G & S.1 they were not harpy with a passenger locomotive numbered "13". So, as the tale is told, the #13 became #15 in the dark of night with no notice to anyone, and causing a grand mix-up in train orders the next day!

All five G & S I Atlantics were disposed of after the I. C. bought the line. Numbers 11‑12‑13 (15) were disposed of in 1927, all for scrap. #10 was sold to an unknown party in March, 1928. #14 went to Briggs and Trivias Co., Chicago scrap dealers In July, 1928.

Photo collection of David S. Price

Information from “The Sandhouse” Volume II, Number 1, March 1975

#10 4-4-2 at Jackson, Mississippi on September 3, 1923.  Photo by Thomas T. Taber.  Collection of David S. Price.

#12 4-4-2 at Jackson, Mississippi on September 3, 1923.  Collection of  David S. Price.

#14  4-4-2 at Jackson, Mississippi on September 3, 1923.  Thomas T. Tabor photo.  Collection of David S. Price.

#13 4-4-2  portrait at builder.  Collection of David S. Price.

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