Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Steam Locomotive 2-8-0, (No. 607) & Tender

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2021

1. Steam Locomotive 2-8-0, (No. 607) & Tender Marker

Inscription.
Steam Locomotives of this type were built by American Locomotive Company, Baldwin Locomotive Works and Lima Locomotive Works between 1942 and 1945. The 2-8-0 series were commonly called "Consolidators" because of the merger, or consolidation, of two railroad companies that designed the first 2-8-0 in 1866. Built to run on standard 56 ½"-gauge track, these coal burning locomotives had exceptional operational reputations and were familiar sights as freight locomotives on British railways in the months preceding the Normandy landing. The tender carries 10 tons of coal and 6,500 gallons of water. Built in 1945, this locomotive, originally No. 5187 but renumbered No. 607 in 1952, was one of the last steam locomotives built by Lima Locomotive Works.

Many 2-8-0 series locomotives saw assignments at various military bases during and after World War II. No. 607 was the last Army steam locomotive in actual operation, arriving under its on power to this museum in May 1972. The Army donated other 2-8-0 series Army locomotives to private rail organizations in Alabama, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Erected by US

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Army Transportation Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1972.

Location. 37° 9.984′ N, 76° 34.49′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in Fort Eustis. It can be reached from Washington Boulevard just south of Madison Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Washington Blvd, Fort Eustis VA 23604, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Hampton Roads,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2021

2. Steam Locomotive 2-8-0, (No. 607) & Tender Marker

are within walking distance of this marker: 40-ton Railway Flatcar (here, next to this marker); Rail Operations in the Transportation Corps (a few steps from this marker); Diesel-Electric Locomotive, RSD-1 (a few steps from this marker); Diesel-Electric Locomotive, MRS-1 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 40-ton Railway Flatcar (a few steps from this marker); 4-wheel, 20-ton Euoropean Service Boxcar (a few steps from this marker); Berlin Duty Train - Passenger Coach (a few steps from this marker); Petroleum Railway Tank Car (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 647 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.