NYC Niagara Retirement Dates (NYC 6015 Last Run) From: (Maurice Lewman) Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2003 Subject: Fwd: Niagaras Here is some history you will want to keep. The last run of the 6015, the last S1, and the retirement dates of the other 6000s. I don't think this changes the engine that Jacobs saw. They could have changed the tire at Beech Grove and put the 6015 back in service even though she was in the cradle when Foster saw the 6015. As Foster said, Charlie did not have a record of the tire being loose but that does not mean that it did not happen. - MEL December 8, 2003 As information, apparently Chas had no info on the slipped tires at Columbus on #16. - Bob Foster December 8, 2003 Here's about all I can tell you. May 1955 - Niagaras 6000-6025 (26 engines) still on roster. (5500 had been retired 1951). August 1955 19 Niagaras retired, leaving 6000, 6007, 6015, 6019, 6020, 6023, 6024. November 1955 6007 retired. March 1956 6000, 6019,6020, 6023, 6024 retired, leaving only 6015. June 30, 1956. Last run of 6015 in passenger service, train no. 416, Indianapolis to Cincinnati on account of a diesel failure. Departed Indianapolis 34 minutes late, arrived Cincinnati 6 minutes late. July 2, 1956. Returned to Indianapolis in freight service, train CC-3. Final run. Charlie Smith I passed along the above information to Dick Jacobs. Here was his response: From: "Richard C. Jacobs" Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2003 WOW!!!! Getting the information confirmed in my original question was a dream come true. The information you just supplied is way beyond my wildest dreams. After reading it I was totally floored. I cannot thank you and your sources enough for all the information that has been provided. THANK YOU!!!! That info. on hauling Trn. # 416 fits a photo of that engine that I saw in TRAINS mag several years ago. The caption states that the engine was at Indianapolis, it's duty was the protection engine for The JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY. Again, I thank you and your sources very, very much. This is far more than I ever expected. Dick Jacobs Dick later sent me the text of the article from TRAINS magazine October, 1976; page 50-51. I cannot reprint it here without permission and will attempt to get it. [In over a month's time, Trains has not seen fit to respond to my request. Therefore, you will have to try to find a copy of the article on your own. Sorry. It is well worth reading.] - rph Maurice worked the Michigan Division from 1947-1981. He then worked on the Bee Line from 1981-1992. From 1947 until august 1950, he worked on the section at Shirley and Markleville. In 1950 he started firing on steam and then on through the diesels. Maurice said, "I had the pleasure of working with C. C. Staley and Ron Buser many times." Photo Credit: NYC 6015 at Beech Grove in 1955. Photo by Soph Marty.