This is another shot by the late R.D. (Dick) Sharpless of Atlanta. It shows us why a "going away" shot has many redeeming values. The engine--Southern Railway Ms-4 Mike 4866--was built by Alco's Richmond Works (Virginia) in 1926--same year Richmond also built the fantastic Fairfax Harrison-inspired green Ps-4 Pacifics with 12-wheel tenders (including the 1401 in the Smithsonian). The 4866 was retired in October 1952, however, and scrapped by the Baltimore Steel Company. But--take a look at details here, including the "Route the 400 Fleet" North Western box car, the fireman checking his stoker feed controls, and the slight cant of the superelevated curve. The door on the "dog house" atop the tender deck is cracked open, so the poor-old head brakeman is probably inside. It was a crummy place to ride for a job, but who among us wouldn't like to be in 4866's dog house that day to feel the breeze and listen to her stack talk and whistle? For darn sure, I would!
