I'm researching the former Ferdinand RR in Indiana. They had a 4-4-0 that according to my records was sent to a scrap dealer in 1951; however, I was recently told that it is the locomotive that was used in Little House on the Prairie. I've never watched that show and can't find any on-line photos of the locomotive they used. Can anyone help with information on whose locomotive was used in LHOTP and how I can contact the current owner of that locomotive?

Craig Berndt
berndtcj@earthlink.net

berndtcj@earthlink.net

> I'm researching the former Ferdinand RR in
> Indiana. They had a 4-4-0 that according to
> my records was sent to a scrap dealer in
> 1951; however, I was recently told that it
> is the locomotive that was used in Little
> House on the Prairie. I've never watched
> that show and can't find any on-line photos
> of the locomotive they used. Can anyone help
> with information on whose locomotive was
> used in LHOTP and how I can contact the
> current owner of that locomotive?

> Craig Berndt
> berndtcj@earthlink.net

Craig,
As I remember, the locomotive used in LHOTP was Sierra 4-6-0, #3. She was pretty much standard for TV shows requiring an older vintage steam locomotive.
Don C.

old_fxrs@msn.com

I think the show used a few engines over the years. Engines used were usually shown in limited camera angles; a low angle view along the drivers was most common. I'm pretty sure that several engines were used because some shots showed an engine with differnt diameter drive wheels.All engines used were almost certainly "Hollywood" engines, overused engines which changed cosmetic appearance as needed.

Hi Craig, to the best of my knowledge all shots which included Michael Landon (or any of the cast for that matter) were with Sierra #3. Passing shots with no cast members may have used different engines.

> Hi Craig, to the best of my knowledge all
> shots which included Michael Landon (or any
> of the cast for that matter) were with
> Sierra #3. Passing shots with no cast
> members may have used different engines.

Sierra#28 was also used in the show.


kbcotton@flash.net

Both the Ferdinand and Louisville, New Albany & Corydon had 4-4-0s. I recall reading (in a Beebe book) that one was sent to scrap and replaced by the other, but can't remember which was which. Both are gone now; one was a Porter.

ryarger@rypn.org

When the Ferdinand was abandoned (late 80's early 90's?) the Louisville, New Albany & Corydon bought its last motive power, a 44 tonner.

Erie Lackawanna Dining Car Preservation Society
tstuy@eldcps.org

There are some parts of Ferndinand #3 that still exist. I have had the Baldwin number plate for years and both builder's plates - construction #40594 from September 1913. I remember seeing pictures of this locomotive when I was growing up and reading the Beebe books. I was fortunate enough to get the number plate and one builder's plate years ago. I recently added the second plate to my collection.


steamfan@crusoe.net

> Both the Ferdinand and Louisville, New
> Albany & Corydon had 4-4-0s. I recall
> reading (in a Beebe book) that one was sent
> to scrap and replaced by the other, but
> can't remember which was which. Both are
> gone now; one was a Porter.

The Ferdinand bought a new Baldwin 4-4-0, #3, in in 1913 and used it until 1951 when they bought a used Porter 4-4-0, #9, from the LNA&C. #3 was scrapped in 1951 according to my only source to date; then someone mentioned that it was still alive and was used in LHOTP. Although LNA&C #9 was Ferdinand's fourth locomotive, they never renumbered it to #4 - they operated it as Ferdinand #9. It was replaced by GE 45-ton (not 44-ton) #101 in Feb. 1953. I'm not sure about the date when 4-4-0 #9 was scrapped: I have one source that lists the date as 1953; but I have a photo of it dated 1956, which I find hard to believe. The Ferdinand operated its last train in 1991 and was abandoned in 1992. Its #101 went to the LNA&C, which used it until 1999 then sold it to the co-op at Cherry Hill, Indiana, on US231 north of Crawfordsville. It's still there in Ferdinand blue, Ferdinand marks, and #101.

berndtcj@earthlink.net