| Number: 12 | Name: Millie (1960) | |
|---|---|---|
| Date Built: 12/1911 | Date Purchased: 1911 | Date Sold: none |
| Line Built for: East Broad Top | Disposition: Serviceable | |
| Builder: Baldwin | Model: 12-28 1/4-E | Serial Number: 37325 |
| Style: coal fired steam | Type: Mikado | Wheel Arrangement: 2-8-2 |
| Track Gauge: 3' | Tractive Effort: 22,100 | Pressure/Power: 180 psi |
| Valve Gear/Transmission: Walshaerts | Driver Size: 48" | Cylinder Bore: 17X24 |
| Weight: 112,000 | Engine Weight: | Adhesive Weight: 88,000 |
| Grate: | Fuel Capy.: | Water Capy.: |
#12 was the first Mikdado (2-8-2) locomotive on the property and followed direcly from the positive experience the EBT had with Prarie 2-6-2 #11. #12 was all around the largest and most powrful locomotive on the line. On her maiden voyage up the mountain to Robertsdale, #12 derailed her pilot truck on and ice buildup inside Sidling Hill Tunnel, and derailed completely when the truck caught on the switch at Kimmel. This incident brought the installation of the first doors on both tunnels. #14 and #15 were scaled up version of #12 and incorporated most of the same design and features.
By the late 1940's and early 1950's #12 was little used as there was not enough work for all six Mikoados and #12 being the smallest. In 1960, with the ropening of the line, #12 was restored to service and, rechristened "Millie" after Nick Kovalchick's daughter, was the star of the show. She and #15 operated trains push-pull in 1960 with #12 pulling out and #15 back. Later in the year they were switched due to #12's more frequent trips to the water standpipe.
During the August 13, 1960 launch of the EBT as a tourist hauler, #12 was christened "Mille" after Nick Kovalchick's daughter with a bottle of ginger ale broken over the pilot by Milie herself. August 13, 2020 (exactly 60 years later) the christening was repeated by Mille Glinsky (married name) including the ginger ale.
#12 was used regularly on tourist trains in the 1960's and 1970s'. By the 1990s she was getting very worn, particularly her driver tires, and only operated during the annual Fall Spectacular. She needed a complete overhaul for whcih funds were not available. She laset oeprated during the 2000 fall spectacular, after which she was taken our of service.
#12 has been pulled out of the rouondhouse for display on a few occasions, mots notably the February 2020 announcement that the EBT had been purchased by the nonprofit EBT Foundation. As with all the Mikados, she was evaluated thoroughly to determine which two were the best candidates to reurn to service first, but was not selected. #12 probably needs more work than any of the other Mikados at the EBT.
