Only surviving car of the New York Central Mohawk 3042, an L3B model

This tender, originally identical to that of the 3001's, is the only surviving car of the New York Central Mohawk 3042, an L3B model. The L3B and L3C Mohawks were follow-on class to the L3A, such as the 3001, the design purely for freight trains. The L3A's were intended for either freight or passenger service. This tender was saved and converted to large diesel fuel tank by the New York Central when the 3042 was retired in September of 1953 and scrapped the next month. The tender was used in maintenance and work train service through Penn Central days; it was later purchased by Ross Rowland, creator of the 1975-76 American Freedom Train, and used as an auxiliary water tender for Reading Railroad 484-2101 during its journey, which passed through Elkhart. From 1977-79, this tender was used on the Chessie Steam Special, a steam-powered excursion run for the Baltimore and Ohio’s one hundred and fiftieth anniversary. It was damaged in a roundhouse fire in 1979, and later donated to the museum. The warped sides are a result of the fire.