Re: Big picture

Yes, the valve gear on Midwest Central's #6 is a rare example of the Southern Valve Gear. The #6 was delivered new from Baldwin with conventional inside connected Stephenson valve gear, but was modified by shop forces of the Surry Sussex & Southampton in Dendron, VA. (Sister BLW 2-6-0 #4, 4-6-0 2nd #2 and several others also received Southern gear, which was a favorite of Mr. Higgins, the master mechanic.)

The #6 retained this unique gear on the Argent Lumber Co. narrow gauge logging railroad in GA and SC.

An extensive series of articles, with plans and photos on the "Three S" will appear during the next year in the GAZETTE. The first of the series begins with the Jan/Feb issue.