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Mobile & Ohio Railroad

"The Mobile Road" / Route of the Gulf Coast Special

tag_quote

german_t he "Mobile Road," as it was often called in its early days, was planned by the people of Mobile to serve the city, in the same manner that the Mississippi River had served New Orleans. The railroad was expected to bring the trade of the upper Mississippi, the Missouri, and the Ohio River basins to Mobile. The project was named the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, because it was to connect that city with the great river systems which converged near Cairo, Illinois, and thus the port of Mobile was to assume a much greater role in commercial affairs at the expense of New Orleans.

James H. Lemly

egyptian_k nown as the route of the "Gulf Coast Special," the Mobile & Ohio Railroad was chartered in 1848 — early in Deep South railroading — by the states of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The primary purpose of the new road was to operate from the seaport of Mobile, Alabama, emerging shipping interests at the Ohio River in the region of Cairo, Illinois. The first section of track opened for service in 1852 between Mobile and Citronelle, Alabama. By 1882, with the purchase of the narrow-gauge St. Louis & Cairo, the M&O reached St. Louis, Missouri. During the Civil War, the line was hotly contested and was converted to military use: a role which left it in financial ruin after the conflict. Nevertheless, in 1896 the company chose to build a line from its Columbus, Mississippi, terminal eastward into Alabama. In June of 1898 a Tuscaloosa to Montgomery line opened, along with other short branch lines in the region. After 1902, the road was under the control of the much larger Southern Railway, who operated it until selling its bonds to parallel north-south operator Gulf, Mobile & Northern. On September 13, 1940, the M&O was merged with the Gulf, Mobile and Northern Railroad to form the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad.

mo_map1910

1910 Official Guide map / collection

mo_route1930

1930 mainline list / collection

herald_mo

at a glance

1929 1940
Miles operated 1159 1180
Locomotives 231 119
Passenger cars 112 31
Freight cars 8368 3298
Service cars 361 ___
Reporting marks M&O
Headquarters Saint Louis, Mo
Named trains Gulf Coast Special
Successors Gulf Mobile & Ohio
Illinois Central Gulf
mo_ad1940a

1940 Official Guide ad / collection

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mo_guide1930

1930 Official Guide ad / collection

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See also our successor Gulf, Mobile & Ohio mainline scrapbook in our Rebel Routes family collection

Motive Power

gnasl_clipping

from Guide to North American Steam Locomotives
by George Drury / collection

Mobile & Ohio #37

  • builder:Lima Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:0-6-0 Six-coupled
  • built:Oct 1911, Lima #1184
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 16.5 x 24" cylinders, 60" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #37
    to Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #37
  • builder

    Mobile & Ohio #50

  • builder:Alco - Richmond
  • arrangement:0-6-0 Six-coupled
  • built:April 1927, Alco #67274
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 21 x 28" cylinders, 51" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #50
    to Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #50
  • builder

    Mobile & Ohio #168

  • builder:Rogers Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-0 "Ten Wheeler"
  • built:Nov 1899, Rogers #5457
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 18 x 26" cylinders, 57" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #168
    to Georgia Car & Locomotive #518, 1923
    listed unsold, 1930
  • builder

    Mobile & Ohio #180

  • builder:Rogers Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-0 "Ten Wheeler"
  • built:Nov 1899, Rogers #5476
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 18 x 26" cylinders, 63" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #180
    to Mobile & Ohio #217
    retired by 1928
  • builder

    Mobile & Ohio #203

  • builder:Rogers Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-0 "Ten Wheeler"
  • built:Mar 1898, Rogers #5250
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 18 x 26" cylinders, 63" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #139
    to Mobile & Ohio #203
    retired by 1940
  • builder
    mo_banner_guide

    Mobile & Ohio #253

  • builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-2 "Pacific"
  • built:May 1912, Baldwin #37749
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 24 x 28" cylinders, 72.5" drivers
  • blt Southern Rwy #1274
    to Mobile & Ohio #253
    retired by 1940
  • builder

    Mobile & Ohio #264

  • builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-2 "Pacific"
  • built:Feb 1924, Baldwin #57658
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 25 x 28" cylinders, 73" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #264
    to Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #563
    scrapped by 1949
  • builder

    Mobile & Ohio #266

  • builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-2 "Pacific"
  • built:Mar 1926, Baldwin #59085
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 25 x 28" cylinders, 73" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #266
    to Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #565
    scrapped by 1949
  • builder

    Mobile & Ohio #269

  • builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-2 "Pacific"
  • built:Mar 1926, Baldwin #59092
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 25 x 28" cylinders, 73" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #269
    to Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #568
    scrapped, 1947
  • builder

    Mobile & Ohio #335

  • builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-0 "Ten Wheeler"
  • built:Aug 1905, Baldwin #26361
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 21 x 28" cylinders, 63" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #222
    to Mobile & Ohio #335
    to Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #335
    scrapped by 1946
  • builder

    Mobile & Ohio #386

  • builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-0 "Ten Wheeler"
  • built:1906, Baldwin #29815
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 21x28" cylinders, 69" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #233
    to Mobile & Ohio #386
    to Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #386
    scrapped by 1949
  • builder

    Mobile & Ohio #401

  • builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:2-8-2 "Mikado"
  • built:Nov 1911, Baldwin #37196
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 27 x 30" cylinders, 63" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #401
    to Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #401
    scrapped by 1949
  • builder

    Mobile & Ohio #411

  • builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:2-8-2 "Mikado"
  • built:Jan 1914, Baldwin #41056
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 27 x 30" cylinders, 63" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #411
    to Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #411
    scrapped by 1946
  • builder

    Mobile & Ohio #472

  • builder:Lima Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:2-8-2 "Mikado"
  • built:Dec 1924, Lima #6775
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 26 x 30" cylinders, 63" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #472
    to Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #472
    scrapped by 1947
  • builder

    Mobile & Ohio #474

  • builder:Lima Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:2-8-2 "Mikado"
  • built:Dec 1924, Lima #6916
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 26 x 30" cylinders, 63" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #474
    to Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #474
    scrapped by 1947
  • builder

    Mobile & Ohio #540

  • builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:2-8-0 "Consolidation"
  • built:Jan 1914, Baldwin #41095
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 24 x 30" cylinders, 63" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #540
    to Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #540
  • builder

    tag_closeup Second Acts

    tag_info

    Mobile & Ohio steamers in our collection that went on to other railroads

    Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #56

  • builder:Alco - Schenectady
  • arrangement:0-6-0 Six-coupled
  • built:1928, Alco #67561
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 21x28" cylinders, 51" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #56
    to Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #56
  • builder

    Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #377

  • builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-0 "Ten Wheeler"
  • built:1907, Baldwin #32116
  • fuel:soft coal / water
  • notes:
  • 21x28" cylinders, 63" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #377
    to Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #377
  • builder
    tag_jump

    See also our complete Gulf, Mobile & Ohio steam scrapbook here in Mainlines

    Columbus & Greenville #165

  • builder:Rogers Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-0 Ten-wheeler
  • built:Jan 1897, Rogers #5162
  • fuel:soft coal/water
  • notes:
  • 18x26" cylinders, 57" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #58
    to Mobile & Ohio #131
    to Columbus & Greenville #165, 1923
    retired 1940
  • builder

    Columbus & Greenville #166

  • builder:Rogers Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-0 Ten-wheeler
  • built:Jun 1897, Rogers #5195
  • fuel:soft coal/water
  • notes:
  • 18x26" cylinders, 57" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #117
    to Mobile & Ohio #134
    to Columbus & Greenville #166, 1923
    scrapped 1947
  • builder

    Columbus & Greenville #171

  • builder:Rogers Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-0 Ten-wheeler
  • built:Nov 1899, Rogers #5460
  • fuel:soft coal/water
  • notes:
  • 18x26" cylinders, 57" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #171
    to Columbus & Greenville #171, 1923
    scrapped 1946
  • builder

    Columbus & Greenville #175

  • builder:Rogers Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-0 Ten-wheeler
  • built:Nov 1899, Rogers #5469
  • fuel:soft coal/water
  • notes:
  • 18x26" cylinders, 57" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #175
    to Columbus & Greenville #175, 1923
    scrapped 1946
  • builder

    Columbus & Greenville #177

  • builder:Rogers Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-0 Ten-wheeler
  • built:Nov 1899, Rogers #5471
  • fuel:soft coal/water
  • notes:
  • 18x26" cylinders, 57" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #177
    to Columbus & Greenville #177, 1923
    sold to Columbus Gravel Co, 1948
  • builder

    Columbus & Greenville #178

  • builder:Rogers Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-0 Ten-wheeler
  • built:Aug 1900, Rogers #5609
  • fuel:soft coal/water
  • notes:
  • 18x26" cylinders, 57" drivers, later 63"
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #187
    to Mobile & Ohio #178
    to Columbus & Greenville #178, 1923
    rebuilt by Columbus shops, 1948
    retired 1951
    on display in Propst Park, Columbus
  • builder

    Columbus & Greenville #216

  • builder:Rogers Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-0 Ten-wheeler
  • built:Dec 1899, Rogers #5475
  • fuel:soft coal/water
  • notes:
  • 18x26" cylinders, 63" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #179
    to Mobile & Ohio #216
    to Columbus & Greenville #216, 1923
    rebuilt by Columbus shops, 1939
    scrapped 1946
  • builder

    Columbus & Greenville #301

  • builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-0 Ten-wheeler
  • built:Mar 1904, Baldwin #23857
  • fuel:soft coal/water
  • notes:
  • 21x26" cylinders, 57" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #205
    to Mobile & Ohio #315
    to Columbus & Greenville #301, 1930
    scrapped 1939
  • builder

    Columbus & Greenville #303

  • builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-0 Ten-wheeler
  • built:Mar 1904, Baldwin #23938
  • fuel:soft coal/water
  • notes:
  • 21x26" cylinders, 57" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #209
    to Mobile & Ohio #319
    to Columbus & Greenville #303, 1930
    scrapped 1948
  • builder

    Columbus & Greenville #304

  • builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-0 Ten-wheeler
  • built:Mar 1904, Baldwin #23855
  • fuel:soft coal/water
  • notes:
  • 21x26" cylinders, 57" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #203
    to Mobile & Ohio #313
    to Columbus & Greenville #304, 1934
    scrapped 1952
  • builder

    Columbus & Greenville #305

  • builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
  • arrangement:4-6-0 Ten-wheeler
  • built:Mar 1904, Baldwin #23854
  • fuel:soft coal/water
  • notes:
  • 21x26" cylinders, 57" drivers
  • blt Mobile & Ohio #202
    to Mobile & Ohio #312
    to Columbus & Greenville #305, 1934
    scrapped 1947
  • builder
    tag_jump

    See also our complete Columbus & Greenville Railway premier steam scrapbook in Shortlines

    Publications

    mo_guide1868

    1868 Official Guide ad / collection

    mo_guide1870

    1870 Official Guide ad / collection

    mo_map1870

    1870 Official Guide map / collection

    mo_guide1877

    1877 Official Guide ad / collection

    mo_guide1889

    1889 Official Guide ad / collection

    mo_guide1895

    1895 Official Guide ad / collection

    mo_map1902

    1902 Official Guide map / collection

    mo_guide1910a

    1910 Official Guide ad / collection

    mo_guide1910b
    mo_guide1920

    1920 Official Guide ad / collection

    mo_guide1930

    1930 Official Guide ad / collection

    mo_ad1940b

    1940 freight advertisement / collection

    mo_ad1930

    1930 ad clipping / collection

    mo_banner_guide
    mo_ad1940a

    1940 ad clipping / collection

    mo_banner

    tag_scrapScrapbook

    mo_scrapbook1
    mo_scrapbook2
    mo_scrapbook3

    all pages from Mobile & Ohio Railroad scrapbook / JCH

    tag_lagnLagniappe

    journal_rwh
    Mar 2015

    Regarding the Mobile & Ohio, I received this interesting note and picture from Michelle George:

    george_inset I came across your website while searching for a train that my great grandfather, Franklin Dade DeLaBar, engineered. He was the engineer on the Mobile and Ohio railroad on engine #264 in which you do have a picture of! My great grandfather is from Meridian, MS. He actually hand carved a replica of the engine and in the early 1950's he donated it to the city of Meridian. It is now in the railroad museum in Meridian. I have attached a copy of my great grandfather with the engine he carved. It is really neat to get to see a picture of the actual engine! - MDG

    Links / Sources

    This page was updated on 2021-11-24