In another amazing Hicks Car Works exclusive feature, we bring you IRM's latest locomotive acquisition! It's hidden from public view in one of the Museum's secret storage facilities, so only we have the ability to bring you pictures of this unique equipment! The lighting is deliberately kept dark so the paint won't fade, but I've tried to adjust the photos as best I could.
It's a highly detailed replica of the first locomotive to operate in the Mississippi valley, c. 1838. And with its rubber tires, it can be used in parades. I love a parade.
You have probably never seen a steam locomotive with a gear shift pattern painted on the backhead (R). Until now.
And here's the tender. We are all so lucky that Nick Kallas never lets an opportunity like this slip by!
Update: I hadn't realized it was supposed to be so historic in its own right. Here's a picture from 1948 (copied from eBay) of this gem at the Fair. We have the stack, but I don't know about the signs saying "Wabash" and "Rogers".
Update: I hadn't realized it was supposed to be so historic in its own right. Here's a picture from 1948 (copied from eBay) of this gem at the Fair. We have the stack, but I don't know about the signs saying "Wabash" and "Rogers".
14 comments:
Now all we need to do is restore the engine.. and the wood... and some of the steel... and the wheels.
Of interest, this locomotive was displayed at the Chicago Railroad Fair in 1948.
This replica paraded in the State Street Parade on the opening day of the Fair in '48, but at the fair, as far as I could tell, it was relegatged to static display only. According to my efforts, the Pioneer replica was sold by the CNW to the Erie RR. Does anyone know what happened to it there? The "400" replica was sold to the Missouri Pacific. Same question applies to this relic.
Here is a pic of one of the other replicas from the 1948 Fair. It is the fifth picture down.
http://matterhorn1959.blogspot.com/2008/05/chicago-rail-fair-1948-slides-set_22.html
Thanks for the link. Actually that's the same one, the replica we now own. It looks much better with the original colors, I must admit.
This replica appears in the Wabash publicity film, Once Upon the Wabash.
You can watch the film on YouTube. The scene with the engine starts at 3min, 40sec: Link to movie
We have the Wabash sign.
This is wonderful news. We have been wondering where the replica ended up and it appears the unit is in good hands! I have a copy of the original Wabash RR painting guide for the replica, and can send it to you if you desire.
This replica traveled all over the Wabash system for years, mostly for display in parades & static displays in towns celebrating their centennials, as a lot of localities were doing back in the 1950's.
James Holzmeier, Wabash Railroad Historical Society
http://www.wabashrhs.org
This paint scheme that is on it currently IS an original paint scheme. The replica and tender were repainted into this scheme shortly after the 1948 Chicago Rail Fair as it is shown in exactly these colors in photos of it being used in a parade in Wabash, IN. in 1950. This is also how the replica was still painted in the 1952 film, "Once Upon the Wabash" and apparently was never changed again over the years. As James Holzmeier alluded to, this is a very significant and GREAT Wabash find!!! Thank you very, very, much for saving it!!
TeRRy S. Wabash Railroad Historical Society member
Here are some links to color photos of the replica being used in a Centennial parade in Homer in 1955:
http://www.umsl.edu/~whmc/guides/photos/24/485_1576.jpg
http://www.umsl.edu/~whmc/guides/photos/24/485_1575.jpg
http://www.umsl.edu/~whmc/guides/photos/24/485_1574.jpg
TeRRy S. Wabash Railroad Historical Society member
Thanks to the Wabash Historical Society members for the additional information. That's quite interesting. I don't know if there are any plans to work on it soon, but we'll let you know. We'll do our best to "Follow the Flag"!
You're most welcome Mr. Hicks! Just one more thing and then I'll shut up!! Coincidently, Nov. 8, 2013 will be the 175th anniversary of the "Northern Cross" railroad and the inaugural run of the actual "Rogers" locomotive from Meredosia, IL. and thus the very beginning's of the Wabash railroad. We just can't get over the "timing" of your discovery!!
TeRRy S. WRHS member
What is the plan for this addition to the collection? Is it ever going to show up at the museum for everyone to see it or is it going to stay in its secret warehouse.
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