K&M 2-8-2T Tank Engines

Does anyone know what kind of service these class HX locomotives were intended for? Five were built for the K&M in 1902-12 by Brooks and scrapped 1932-36. Numbered K&M 555-59, renumbered NYC 9500-04 in 1924.
Most NYC and B&A tank engines were used in suburban passenger service and a few converted 0-6-0s were used in roundhouse service.

HI Dave

According too my New York Central Early Power Vol # 2 by Alvin Stauffer they were used for primarily for short mine runs , and they lasted until 1936 as classes HXa & HXb. Pat.

The photo above, from my web site (http://www.railarchive.net/nyccollection) is by John F. Boose of La Grange, Illinois, photographed in Dickinson, West Virginia, on October 18, 1935. My question is, since there is no front pilot (at least, no cowcatcher or footboard), was it customary to operate these tank engines bunker-first?

Other photos of 9501 (556) show it with pilots on the front and back. Maybe the front one was removed for repairs.