A poorly cropped and slightly out of focus picture showing a group of unknown soldiers standing in front of USATC 3409 raises interesting questions. The location the railroad shop at Ft. Eustis. However, it is also known that the 3409 operated on the Claiborne-Polk railroad. So the question is, what year(s) did the 3409 operate at Fort Eustis? 

USATC 3409 was built by Baldwin in 1944.  It can be documented that 3409 was in use at Claiborne from May 1945 until August 1945. In July, 1947 the 3409 was at Holabird Signal Depot and was acquired by the Alaska Railroad in May 1948. Renumbered to ARR 561 it was retired in 1956. 

According to “Allied Military Locomotives of the Second World War” by R. Tourett, the 3409 served in Europe and then returned stateside to operate on the Claiborne and Polk Military Railroad in Louisiana. However, given the tight time frame, it is questionable that the locomotive actually made a trip to Europe in 1944, was placed into operation, and then was returned to the U.S. by May, 1945. 

This photo was probably taken after the closure of Claiborne and before 3409 was sent to Holabird at Baltimore. Fort Eustis acquired some locomotives and rolling stock from Claiborne when the US Army Transportation School was established at Fort Eustis in 1947.

- Dick Morris