folks,

I just bought a real photo post card of Illinois Central 201, ex 214, ex 1401 built by Rogers at Patterson, NJ about 1880.

J. David's entry on it leaves it in Pioria, IL in
1975. Does anyone know where it is now? My photo shows it inside, It is to be hoped that it is still enjoying covered display.

Speaking of preserved engines, I am glad to see that the steam engine that was sold by the Connnecticut Trolley Museum is going home to West Virginia. And the good folks at Warehouse Point need the money! TM



ted_miles@NPS.gov

Dear Ted:
I list former I.C. No.201 as displayed in front of Owantona Tool Co. at Owantona, MN; owned by Reuben Kaplan (owner of the company) since 7/1975 when he purchased it from Vonachen's Junction at Peoria, IL.
J.David

It is now along side I35 at the new Heritage halls museum. Outside.

Neat looking little teapot

Paul D

pfdx@aol.com

> It is now along side I35 at the new Heritage
> halls museum. Outside.

> Neat looking little teapot

> Paul D

The museum has its own web site with the 201 nicely displayed in a shot of the museum on their home page.

Cheers, Jochen

Heritage Halls Museum, Owatonna, MN
JochenTrost@cs.com

I've read that Casey Jones may have ran this engine while on duty at the 1893 exposition in Chicago.

The museum has its own web site with the 201
> nicely displayed in a shot of the museum on
> their home page.

> Cheers, Jochen


bobyar2001@yahoo.com

According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the musuem closed for good on Sept. 4th of this year. There has been some speculation that the engine may be for sale, however I cannot comfirm this. It was still sitting there last week when I passed through town.

Jeff Terry

jterry618@msn.com

Thanks everyone for the information! I have long ben interested in the Forney type. Often seen on narrow gagues and plantation engines; it was interesting to see this one from a main line railroad. Too bad though, that it has lost its indoor location.

Ted Miles

ted_miles@NPS.gov

This would appear to be a very rare locomotive deserving of good/permanent preservation at some place such as B&O RR Museum or Steamtown. It should not be allowed to rust away or be vandalized. It might make a good restoration project as its size would keep the costs down.
The challenge will be to find the right mix of owner/preservation/location etc. Worth the effort though.

http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains
oldtimetrains@rrmail.com

While I agree in concept, I think that sending a locomotive like this to the East is not the best choice. It would be outshone by rarer engines at the B&O, and someone would have to donate it to the federal Steamtown.

This engine spent its lifetime in commuter service in Chicago. It is a wheel arrangement not in the collection of the worlds largest railway museum. The Illinois Railway Museum is the appropriate home for this engine - provided more storage facilities can be built for the engine. In fact, it is such a gem, I might venture that a well-designed trade could occur for it. I wonder what will come of the 201.

Illinois Railway Museum