Mississippi Central Railroad

The Mississippi Central Railroad was an east-west shortline route between Hattiesburg and Natchez, Mississippi. The line was owned by a lumber company in Pennsylvania, but eventually became a part of the Illinios Central Gulf during its formation merger. Prior to the transition era, the little road was known for its large stable of Mikados and converted Pacifics. When the MSC dieselized, they purchased ten SW9 switchers from EMD and later a rare GP28. In both steam and diesel eras, the MSC shops were in Hattiesburg. The Central was the chief operator of the famed "Natchez Route" -- a through-frieght route from Shreveport, Louisiana, to Mobile, Alabama, that utilized the MSC in the middle segment. A portion of the Central's line is still in service today from Furgurson to Natchez, Mississippi, owned and operated by the Canadian National.

Steam Motive Power

Mississippi Central #98

Hattiesburg, Ms / Oct 1944 / collection

Mississippi Central #98

builder:ALCO Schenectedy
arrangement:4-4-0 American
built:Jan 1909, Alco #45921
fuel:coal/water
notes:
to Comite Southern, 1946
to Louisiana Eastern #98
to Strasburg #98
to Wilmington & Western #98

Mississippi Central #100

Hattiesburg, Ms / Jul 1940 / collection

Mississippi Central #100

builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
arrangement:4-4-0 American
built:Aug 1905, Baldwin #26510
fuel:coal/water
notes:
scrapped at Hattiesburg MS, 1942

Mississippi Central #102

Builder's photo / collection

Mississippi Central #102

builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
arrangement:4-4-0 American
built:Jan 1906, Baldwin #27222
fuel:coal/water
notes:
retired 1941
scrapped at Hattiesburg MS, 1943

Mississippi Central #115

Hattiesburg, Ms / Aug 1942 / collection

Mississippi Central #115

builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
arrangement:4-6-0 Ten Wheeler
built:Jun 1907, Baldwin #31037
fuel:coal/water
notes:
scrapped at Birmingham Al, 1948

Mississippi Central #120

Hattiesburg, Ms / May 1953 / collection

Mississippi Central #120

builder:ALCO Brooks
arrangement:2-8-2 Mikado
built:Jul 1921, Alco #63072
fuel:coal/water
notes:
to Louisiana Eastern #14, 1953
scrapped 1963

Builder's photo / collection

Mississippi Central #121

unknown / collection

Mississippi Central #121

builder:ALCO Brooks
arrangement:2-8-2 Mikado
built:Jul 1921, Alco #63073
fuel:coal/water
notes:
scrapped at Memphis TN, 1953

Mississippi Central #130

Hattiesburg, Ms / May 1948 / collection

Mississippi Central #130

builder:ALCO Brooks
arrangement:2-8-2 Mikado
built:Dec 1923, Alco #65351
fuel:coal/water
notes:
scrapped at Memphis TN, 1953

Builder's photo / collection

Mississippi Central #140

Brookhaven, Ms / Jul 1948 / collection

Mississippi Central #140

builder:ALCO Schenectedy
arrangement:2-8-2 Mikado
built:Sep 1923, Alco #64915
fuel:coal/water
notes:
to Louisiana Eastern #16, 1954
to Feliciana Eastern #16, 1956
scrapped at Bluff Creek LA, 1961

Hattiesburg, Ms / Jun 1948 / collection

Mississippi Central #141

Brookhaven, Ms / Apr 1953

Mississippi Central #141

builder:ALCO Schenectedy
arrangement:2-8-2 Mikado
built:Sep 1923, Alco #64916
fuel:coal/water
notes:
to Green Brothers Gravel Co #141, 1953

unknown / collection

Mississippi Central #150

unknown / collection

Mississippi Central #150

builder:ALCO Richmond
arrangement:4-6-2 Pacific
built:Nov 1913, Alco #53199
fuel:coal/water
notes:
blt Illinois Central #1117, later #2077
overhauled IC McComb MS shops, 1948
to Mississippi Central #150, 1948
to DeBardeleben Coal #104, 1953
scrapped 1957

Mississippi Central #152

McComb, Ms / 1948 / collection

Mississippi Central #152

builder:ALCO Schenectedy
arrangement:4-6-2 Pacific
built:Oct 1906
fuel:coal/water
notes:
blt Illinois Central #1036, later #2030
overhauled IC McComb MS shops, 1948
to Mississippi Central #152, 1948
scrapped at Memphis TN, 1953