A Brief History of the "E.T. Summersill Steam Locomotive"   

The American Locomotive Company (ALCO) 2-6-0 Mogul steam locomotive was built in 1920 at ALCO's Cooke Works in Patterson, New Jersey under order number C-659, along with 2 other identical sister engines, and were given construction numbers 62634, 62635 and 62636.  

Number 62634 was built for the Cia Azucarera Saramaguacan, a Cuban Sugar Company, as their #1.  The Cuban order was cancelled and this locomotive was shipped to the Osceola Cypress Company as their #50 (E. T. Summersill) on 22 May 1922.   

   #50 In Its Original Livery at ALCO's Cooke Works

Number 62635 was shipped to the Narragansett Pier as their #1 in March of 1923.

Number 62636 was shipped to the Maryland and Delaware Coast Railway as their #203 on 16 March 1926.

Osceola Cypress Company #50 (62634) was delivered to the railroad yard in Palatka, Florida, where engineer, Mr. E. T. Summersill who worked for the Osceola Cypress Company, was sent to pick it up and deliver it to the Company in Geneva, Florida.  Imagine Mr. Summersill's surprise upon arriving in Palatka to find that his name was emblazoned in gold on the cab!  At the time It was the only steam locomotive with the name of the engineer placed on the cab by the builder.  A unique feature of the engine is that it has 3 steam-powered whistles, giving a very identifiable sound that would leave no doubt in the minds of Geneva citizens that the locomotive coming down the tracks was “Locomotive #50 E. T. Summersill”!

Mr. E. T. Summer sill and #50

#50 On the log pond trestle at 

Osceola Cypress Company, Osceola, Florida

The engine remained in use by Osceola Cypress Company with Mr. Summersill as its engineer until it was sold to the Phosphate Mining Company on 3 December 1938.

The Virginia-Carolina Chemical Company then obtained the engine when it purchased the Phosphate Mining Company in 1945.  The engine was in use by the Virginia-Carolina Chemical Company, a phosphate mining company, until 10 August 1961.

#50 Just before it was given to the City of Lakeland

#50 In Adair Park after it had been 

cleaned up and painted

The locomotive was presented to The City Of Lakeland as "Locomotive #50 E. T. Summersill", its original markings, even though it carried the markings of Virginia-Carolina.  

The locomotive remained in Adair Park in Lakeland, Florida until it was purchased in 2012 by Southeastern Shortline and Narrow Gauge Museum in Newton, NC, where it is now being restored.  A unique feature of the engine is that it has 3 steam-powered whistles, giving a very identifiable sound that would leave no doubt in the minds of Geneva citizens that the locomotive coming down the tracks was “Locomotive #50 E. T. Summersill”!

Researched and compiled by Mal Martin

February, 2013

Geneva Historical & Genealogical Society, Inc.

  Photos and information thanks to Geneva Historical Society, Nate Beyea, & ALCO Historic Photos 

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