I recently heard that in the late 60's - early 70's time frame there was a steam locomotive displayed at the fairgrounds in Cedar Rapids, IA.
The engine was removed and returned to service for operation in a flooded yard near the Mississippi river in IA.
Does anyone know what engine it was? And what eventually became of it? It never returned to Cedar Rapids.

Allan

ddg14@msn.com

I think you are talking about Illinois Central 2-8-0 No. 790. This was privately purchased by Lou Keller in the 1960s, and operated a few trips in Iowa; also it was used to switch some flooded trackage. It was sold to someone in NY State for possible use on the Lake Placid line. When that failed, Nelson Blount acquired it for Steamtown. It is now the centerpiece to the entrance of the Steamtown roundhouse at Scranton.

> I recently heard that in the late 60's -
> early 70's time frame there was a steam
> locomotive displayed at the fairgrounds in
> Cedar Rapids, IA.
> The engine was removed and returned to
> service for operation in a flooded yard near
> the Mississippi river in IA.
> Does anyone know what engine it was? And
> what eventually became of it? It never
> returned to Cedar Rapids.

> Allan


ryarger@rypn.org

Thanks Bob, sounds like the loco my grandfather told me about.
I'll have to let him know it was not only saved, but in a big way.



ddg14@msn.com

> Thanks Bob, sounds like the loco my
> grandfather told me about.
> I'll have to let him know it was not only
> saved, but in a big way.

I've been in the cab of this engine many times (that's the first thing I do when I go to Steamtown), Can anybody tell me the condition of this engine? I'm not exactly an expert on the signs of an engine's mechanical condition. Thanks, any info would be great.

J.T.

jtjjtb@aol.com

Hello All

While I'm in no way quailfied to present a mechanical evaluation of the engine, I can pass on a few things that I've been told, by those with much more knowledge than I.

The engine, as a whole, is in better shape than most of the engines on the Steamtown property. Likely repairable barring any unforsean developements. I do know that the boiler dates not from the 1903 built date, but from a 1918 overhaul (as do many other components).

For what its worth I was involved in the 1996 "stabilization" (ie repainting) of the locomotive and remember that the tender decking was really shot, but few members of the 261 crew (wich was spending at year in Scranton at the time) were impressed with the condition of the boiler and firebox.

It should be stated plainly though, that Steamtown has no plans to restore the engine at this time.

Hope this helps.

Dave Crosby

bing@epix.net

She's also the prototype for Bachmann's popular N & HO scale model 2-8-0, which Weaver has done on O scale.

Rob



http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item
trains@robertjohndavis.com

She's also the prototype for Bachmann's popular N & HO scale model 2-8-0, which Weaver has done on O scale.

Rob



trains@robertjohndavis.com

Anyone know of any photos of #790 on the web anywhere? I'm having no luck at all finding any.

Allan

ddg14@msn.com

Does anyone know of any photos of #790 anywhere on the web? I'm not having any luck finding any.

Allan

ddg14@msn.com

Does anyone know of any photos of #790 anywhere on the web? I'm not having any luck at all finding any.

Allan

ddg14@msn.com

Anyone know where I might find some photos of #790 on the web? I don't seem to be having any luck at all locating them myself.

Allan

ddg14@msn.com

Anyone know where I might find some pictures of #790 on the web? I don't seem to be having any luck at all locating them myself.

Allan

ddg14@msn.com

Anyone know where I might find pictures of IC #790 on the web? I'm not having any luck finding any myself.

Allan

ddg14@msn.com

Anyone know of any pics of #790 anywhere on the web? I'm not having any luck finding any myself.

Allan

ddg14@msn.com

Anyone know of any photos of #790 anywhere on the web? I'm not having any luck finding any myself.

Allan

ddg14@msn.com