Illinois Central class 2900

In 1921, Lima ordered 100 2-10-2 locomotives from Lima which were numbered 2901 to 3000 and which they called “Centrals” instead of “Santa Fes”. While the first seven 2-10-2 built four years earlier by Schenectady had been ordered for hump-yard service, the new ones were used in freight service. They had drivers of 63 inches and cylinders of 30 by 32 inches. In 1923, Lima delivered 25 more which received the numbers 3001 to 3025. Their firebox heating surface included 23.5 square feet in two arch tubes, 108.5 square feet in four thermic syphons and 386 square feet of the actual firebox walls.

When they became too slow for mainline freight service, they were rebuilt in multiple ways between 1937 and 1942. 56 were taken apart and their boilers were used to create class 2500 to 2555 with the wheel arrangement 4-8-2 and larger drivers. At the same time, the frames, cylinders and drivers were taken to create two new classes: 41 2-8-2 which were numbered 2100 to 2140 and 15 2-10-0 which were numbered 3610 to 3624.

Also the remaining 2-10-2 locomotives were modernized. They got mechanical lubricators, lightweight pistons, Boxpok drivers and more, while the boiler pressure was increased from 190 to 240 psi. One locomotive each had their pressure raised to 260 psi and received a booster. In 1944 and 1945, 20 got a new boiler and became 2800 to 2819. All 2-10-2 were scrapped between 1955 and 1962.