Taken in 2004:

http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=30714

Bob -

Was in the roundhouse once (on a Burlington trip to Beardstown which used CB&Q #4960 which is now in service at the Grand Canyon Railway.) I photographed 2-10-4 number 6321 inside the house, apparently still on standby duty at the time. Sad that none of the Burlington's Colorados (as the Q called the 2-10-4 type) were saved. But of course, B&LE 2-10-4 643 (which used the CB&Q's drawings when built) still exists and a Q Colorado could thus still be replicated. Well, at least it's good to see that the Beardstown roundhouse still standing.

Les

I wonder what length the Beardstown turntable was? I presume it was one of the through truss typical Q types, but wonder about the length? I note the wheelbase of the Colorado types was just 1/4" under 96 feet. With a three-point suspension table (which doesn't require balance), a 100' length would suffice to turn such an engine. Last I knew the 100' table from the C&S 7th Street roundhouse in Denver was still lying dismantled at Chama and there was another 100' one like it at Northport, Nebraska, removed from the pit. Thus, if there was a movement to save the building, a replacement turntable could possibly still be found.

Bob:

I'm 99% certain that I've seen a photo of one of the Q's Colorado's on the turntable at Beardstown. I'll see if I can find it. I know of at least one other Burlington through truss turntable still in existance; at Eola, Illinois, just east of Aurora. Alas, the roundhouse there is gone. Not sure what the length of the Eola table is though.

Les

Well Bob, I got it half right. It wasn't a photo I remember seeing, but a Mike Pearsall painting in the book "The Berkshire and Texas Types" by Jack W. Farrell. Mike shows M4a #6313 heading off of a through truss table into a roundhouse. The only problem is, the location is not definitely mentioned as being Beardstown. Artists license I guess.

So, we'll have to have someone else who knows the Burlington Route advise us of the length.

Les

While surfing the web, I found a site that showed that Beardstown had a two story passenger (division point?) depot. Another site (somewhat dated now) showed that the Burlington's passenger depot still existed and was used by BNSF by the maintenance-of-way department. Anyone know if this rather substantial station does, in fact, still exist?

Les