The Admiral

[Tom Kepshire]

I am positive that many of you have seen this image before. I believe it was in Professor Hilton's book, or The Sulzer book. Of course it is #9 "The Admiral" This image was also used in advertising.

Here are some things you may not know: Built 1868 at New Albany. Her first Engineer: Robert Spaulding. First Fireman: Alden Tharp. Master Mechanic: Jacob Losey.

[Ron Marquardt]

Tom, our archive records show the three men in the picture to be LtoR, Bill Donovon, fireman, Bob Spaulding, engineer, Charles Gore, master mechanic.  The picture was taken in 1870 in Lafayette at the 6th. St. stockyards.  / Ron

[Tom Kepshire]

I am NOT saying these are the people in the photo. They were listed in an article about the Admiral, along with the photo, I was shown by Jeff Strombeck from a collection of 1800 steam locomotive photos he recently acquired.

[Christopher Stone]

Why yes, I have seen this picture before...

Page 65 of Hargrave "A Pioneer Indiana Railroad"
Page 7 of Hilton "Monon Route"
Page 32 Dolzall "Monon the Hoosier Line" (both editions)

I didn't find this photo in any of Sulzer's books that cover the Monon; "Abandoned Railroads of Bedford" and "Ghost Railroads of Indiana", or in the Riney-B section of "Ghost Railroads of Kentucky" 

I'm pretty sure it's been published in "The Hoosier Line" more than once, as well... but I don't have a complete collection of those to look up the specific instances.

[Tim T Swan]

According to Hilton's detailed listing, this locomotive was built by Norris in Philadelphia in 1851 and was named Ranger.  She was RE-built in 1868 at New Albany (LNA&C Shops) and renamed Admiral.