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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
unknown / collection
Links / Sources
- Roster information from Louis R. Saillard, from Natchez Route
- Wikipedia article on various "Mississippi Central" railroads