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Page 2 Miscellaneous Large Locomotives in the KeysBelow is locomotive 429 built by American Locomotive Company of Schenactady, New York and was of a group called Mountain type engines. It had a 4-8-2 wheel configuration. The first digit indicates the number of wheels at the front. The second digit indicates the number of wheels in the middle which actually propel or drive the train forward or reverse. The third digit indicates the number of wheels behind the drive wheel, or below the cabin. Only the early FECRwy locomotives were coal burning. Assuming Flagler's knowledge and connections with Standard Oil he had changed over to oil burners by 1916.  Below is another 4-8-2 Mountain locomotive with water cars at the Key West terminal.  Below is another 4-8-4 passenger train one one of the concrete arch bridges. Like the change over from coal to fuel oil, by 1916 all the wooden trestles had been replaced with concrete. The rear car viewed was known as the observation car and all passengers had access.
 Moving freight was also an important service. Goods for Key West and Cuba went south and agricultural products from Cuba and the Keys were taken on the return trip.  Below is the first passenger train, the one with Henry Flagler aboard, that made the entire Miami to Key. The location where shown is not the Key West depot as it was not on pilings and there are so few people around. It could be later after the ceremony was over, or at a stop before for some reason - speculation. I seek a photo showing the locomotive's number usually on a circular plaque at the top-center of the locomotive and on the side of the engineer's cab. The first FECR locomotive to enter Key West was number 27 (a 4-4-0), a work engine. Please use the email tag at the bottom of the page.
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