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	Rahway Valley Railroad #7
Type:	2-4-4
Builder:	Baldwin Locomotive Works
Construction #:	32817
Year Built:	06/1908
Drivers:	56"
Cylinders:	17" x 24"
Notes:	Purchased new 1908 Sold 1917

7

Engine #7's Baldwin Builder's Photo. Collection of Michael Kaplonski. #7 was the only new steam locomotive ever purchased by the Rahway Valley Railroad. In 1908, the railroad contracted with the Baldwin Locomotive Works to build a new locomotive for the line. #7 was constructed by Baldwin in September, 1908.   The new forney-type locomotive quickly became the pride and joy of the crew and of the railroad. Being a new locomotive and therefore in the best shape mechanically, #7 soon became the most used locomotive on the RVRR. Having a great deal of weight on the drivers as well as a short wheel-base, the locomotive could handle the stiff grades and tight curves of the RVRR. Management attempted to replace #7 on the passenger runs between 1912 and 1914 with two rail buses (#10 & 11), but venerable #7 was still used in daily freight service conducted on the Rahway Valley Railroad (Source: Young). When World War I broke out in 1914, business picked up greatly on the line, and #7 was kept busy. No sources seem to agree as to where #7 ended up after she left the line in 1917: "By the mid-teens, the 7 had moved on to the US Army Supply Base at Kearny, NJ (according to Gene Connelly's list of Baldwin locomotives)" (Cite: http://www.steamlocomotive.com/2-4-4/?page=rv) According to Thomas T. Taber, III, #7 was sold to General Equipment Co. and ended up in South America. "No. 7, the pride of the line, was sold, and was last seen running somewhere in South America, as late as World War II" (Rahway Valley Railroad: Saga of a Shortline, John J. McCoy, 1976) #7 was sold to the General Equipment Co. who subsequently sold the locomotive to the Watervliet Arsenal (Source: Frye) Where #7 ended up, we may never know for sure. Collection of Don Maxton  #7 is seen here hauling some freight along the line. Collection of Thurlow C. Haunton, Jr. #7 shuttles a lone combine between Springfield and Baltusrol. in this 1912 view. Photo taken by George B. Whitfield. #7, coupled to at least two passenger coaches, takes on water from the Summit Water Tower in this c. 1915 view. Collection of Don Maxton. #7 and her crew pose in this 1910 photograph. From L-R: ?, Bill "Pop" Snyder, "Handsome" Jack Shallcross, Pete Mascaro, and Joe Shallcross . Possibly taken in Summit.  Collection of Don Maxton. A family proudly poses with #7 at Kenilworth. Collection of Don Maxton. Tank Engine For the Rahway Valley Railway & Locomotive Engineering, Vol. 21 Baldwin Locomotive Works Builder's Record for RV #7 Courtesy of Michael Kaplonski John J. McCoy's drawing of #7 for the cover of his book, Rahway Valley Railroad: Saga of a Shortline

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