Framed or unframed, desk size to sofa size, printed by us in Arizona and Alabama since 2007. Explore now.
Shorpy is funded by you. Patreon contributors get an ad-free experience.
Learn more.
August 19, 1912. "Hump pusher, L.S. & M.S. R.R." On verso: "Made by J. Inbody, Elkhart, Indiana. Home Phone 500." A postcard showing trainmen of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway and Locomotive 4595. View full size.
Looks like they brought out everyone from brakies to the Yardmaster for the photo. Such simpler times. And a hump yard loco would have been the least admired loco, or job; a long way down the roster from the sleek Main-line passenger trains. Gotta love those tiny (52"?) drive wheels. And those rugged workers.
The rolled trouser cuffs worn by the two men on the left end identify them as brakemen. They did this to prevent any possibility of tripping on their trouser legs when jumping on and off moving trains.
The Lake Shore was originally an independent mainline railroad which later came under the control of the New York Central and Hudson River, and later still was merged with that company to form the modern NYC.
A hump pusher is the loco used in a hump yard to push cuts of cars up the hump. These 0-10-0s weren't road engines, nor would they be suitable for branchline service due to their high axle load, low speed and poor riding. As a type they were uncommon on US railroads, unlike Europe or Russia where they were built in enormous numbers as road engines.
Was this a shortline that belonged to NYC Lines, or was it purchased from them?
Just curious. It's labeled as a "Hump pusher" which makes me wonder if this was a combination classification yard and branchline operation.
Shorpy always manages to post intriguing photos...
On Shorpy:
Today’s Top 5