Old photo of the C&NW Pioneer. Any idea when/where?

http://cgi.ebay.com/C-N-W-RR-Pioneer-Lo ... otohosting

This photo was taken at the Transportation Building at the Chicago World's Fair of 1893. It was taken early in the arrival of the exhibits and before its opening. Similar shots can be found on the web in the "Book of the Fair" site.

Where is the Pioneer now? Did it get saved?

Wesley

Last I heard, in an obscure museum in a large eastern city.

dave

It should still be at the Chicago Historical Society, now known as the Chicago Hisotry Museum. It was recently joined by South Side Rapid Transit car #1, of 1892, a motorized car from the opening of the first elevated ("L" in Chicago terms) line in the city, which was steam hauled until equipped with Sprague motors and multiple unit equipment. "Pioneer" is a much used name and another locomotive with this name is at the Smithsonian. Both are "singles," having only one driving axle, but the one in Chicago is a 4-2-0 while the other is a 2-2-2T.

The Pioneer is indeed at the Chicago Historical Society, and is on display in the new gallery on the 2nd floor. You can go into the cab, although many of the appliances (both original and those added when the engine was steamed up in the 1940s) are missing. It is cosmetically in good condition.

Chris .

Smithsonian! That's the name I was trying to remember. Heard they had closed.

Must have my PIONEERs confused.

dave

Dave,

According to steamlocomotive.info, the Pioneer at the Smithsonian is Cumberland Valley RR No. 13.

Wesley

The Smithsonian Museum of American History, in which the transportation exhibit is located, is closed for renovations to the building. It expects to reopen in 2008. For more information see:
National Museum of American History
and
Museum Renovation