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Western Maryland 2-8-0 “Consolidation” Engine No. 351, Location and Date Unknown
Without information about the date and location of this excellent photograph, an educated guess is based on two factors.
First, the original 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 negative is Kodak 122 film, a popular size for the Kodak Autographic folding bellows cameras, the Compact Graflex, and the Graflex 3A. All of these were so-called “post card” cameras, designed to make a contact print from the negative. Such prints were the same size as the negative, avoiding the need for enlargement–an idea one hundred plus years ago that was new, as there were few enlargers of any size. The negative, therefore, is the best clue as to the approximate time of this photograph, likely in the mid 1920’s.
Second, 2-8-0 “Consolidation” locomotives were in common use from as early as 1866 to about 1915, when locomotives of this wheel arrangement could no longer be improved upon. The Western Maryland Railroad was founded in 1852 and operated until 1983.
Because the original 122 film cameras were popular from 1903 until the early 1970’s, my guess is this photograph was taken between 1915 and 1925. By 1925, the “Consolidation” wheel arrangement locomotives would have for the most part been worn out and replaced by more contemporary steam engines.
The original negative, though in my possession, is technically poor. A high resolution digital scan of the negative produced an image that would be difficult to achieve with traditional dark room printing.
From the Ernest Roberts Railway Photography Collection. Prints available from many historic railroad negatives and prints. Prints will be silver halide fiber base prints from original negatives in good condition. Inkjet prints from digital scans of restored prints and negatives.
The print from this image will be an ink jet print from a high resolution digital file.
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