Sumpter Valley Ry. #17 As An Oil Burner

Many rail history buffs think of the 1940's at the Sumpter Valley Ry. with reference to the two big articulated engines #'s 250 and 251. Yes, they probably know that the little diesel #101 was in switching service, but I'd guess few realize that a Mikado remained on roster for a few years. That Mike was Sumpter Valley Ry. #17, which was converted to oil burning along with the 250 and 251. In this shot, we see her at South Baker in Aug. of 1943, looking well cared for. She appears to be coupled to one of the former ACF passenger cars which were in work train service at this point. #17 was purchased new by the Sumpter Valley in 1915 and was retired in Aug. of 1944. The following year, she and the railway's two other Baldwin Mikes were sold and exported to Peru where #17 operated well into the 1960's and maybe 1970's. A great photo of #17 in Peru, appears on page 16 of the book "In Search of Narrow Gauge" by Bob Whetham. The scan is from the SVRR Archive.