SMRF Prototype of the Month: November 2003

A&Y Consolidation #541, June, 1944, in Greensboro, NC

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 Atlantic & Yadkin #541 was a consolidation leased from the Southern Railway by the A&Y, a short line subsidiary of the Southern running from Mount Airy southeast through Greensboro to Sanford (where it connected with the ACL on what was the matching southern half of the Cape Fear & Yadkin Valley Railway trackage to Wilmington - the A&Y was the northern half of the CF&YV).

#541 was leased to A&Y beginning 1/15/1940 as a "wide firebox engine". A 6000 gal tender was substituted for the 5000 gal one it had prior to leasing. It cost $4200 to repair for leasing in 1940. Maintenance requirements for this class J consolidation were too much in 1948, so A&Y requested a new 21" firebox replacement loco, the 516. However, 516 was spoken for by HPRA&S and so #481 eventually was substituted in the lease. Upon retirement 541 was exhibited at Winston-Salem, NC.

 Most of the A&Y leased or rented freight locomotives were class H, I and J consolidations.