Paducah in McCracken County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Illinois Central 2613
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011
1. Illinois Central 2613 Marker
Inscription.
Illinois Central 2613. . In 1960, Illinois Central 2613, a Mountain type engine with 4-8-2 wheel arrangement, became the last steamer to operate on the railroad, ending a 190 year tradition. Western Kentucky, with its many coal mines, were among the last places in the U.S. to depend on steam locomotives. The 2613 was one of 20 of its type built in the Paducah Shops in 1942, and was used for both freight and passenger service. Here it is pictured at Paducah's Union Station, so called because it served both Illinois Central and Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway passenger trains. Located near Caldwell Street, the station was for years the place to begin or end a journey or meet family and friends. The last passenger train called there in 1957., Sponsored by Col. Wm. J. Ryan and Mrs. Bart Sullivan in Memory of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick H. Ryan, The Illinois Central Railroad Shops, located on Kentucky Avenue in Paducah, were built in 1927 for $6,000,000. At the peak, 1,447 workers were employed as this was one of the world's largest steam locomotive repair shop. In the late 1950's, the shops were converted to diesel re-manufacturing and repair, and in 1986 they were sold to a private investor. The name changed to VMV. Doing business with the U.S. and foreign railroads, VMV has made Paducahbuilt a byword in the industry. The General Purpose or "Geep" diesel locomotive shown is typical of the type used by Illinois Central and its Kentucky successor, Paducah and Louisville Railway, Inc. Their economy of operations caused the demise of the powerful, but costly, steam engines such as the 2613., Sponsored by VMV Enterprises, Inc. and Paducah and Louisville Railway, Inc.
In 1960, Illinois Central 2613, a Mountain type engine with 4-8-2 wheel arrangement, became the last steamer to operate on the railroad, ending a 190 year tradition. Western Kentucky, with its many coal mines, were among the last places in the U.S. to depend on steam locomotives. The 2613 was one of 20 of its type built in the Paducah Shops in 1942, and was used for both freight and passenger service. Here it is pictured at Paducah's Union Station, so called because it served both Illinois Central and Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway passenger trains. Located near Caldwell Street, the station was for years the place to begin or end a journey or meet family and friends. The last passenger train called there in 1957.
Sponsored by Col. Wm. J. Ryan and Mrs. Bart Sullivan in Memory of Mr. & Mrs. Patrick H. Ryan
The Illinois Central Railroad Shops, located on Kentucky Avenue in Paducah, were built in 1927 for $6,000,000. At the peak, 1,447 workers were employed as this was one of the world's largest steam locomotive repair shop. In the late 1950's, the shops were converted to diesel re-manufacturing and repair, and in 1986 they were sold to a private investor. The name changed to VMV. Doing business with the U.S. and foreign railroads, VMV has made Paducahbuilt a byword in the industry. The General Purpose
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or "Geep" diesel locomotive shown is typical of the type used by Illinois Central and its Kentucky successor, Paducah & Louisville Railway, Inc. Their economy of operations caused the demise of the powerful, but costly, steam engines such as the 2613.
Sponsored by VMV Enterprises, Inc. and Paducah & Louisville Railway, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1960.
Location. 37° 5.341′ N, 88° 35.675′ W. Marker is in Paducah, Kentucky, in McCracken County. Marker is at the intersection of North Water Street and Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling north on North Water Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Paducah KY 42001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Both markers are under the Train Mural. The Illinois Central 2613/Shop mural is at the end of the first wall.
The Paducah Wall to Wall Floodwall Mural Project. Renowned artist Robert Dafford and his team of muralists capture Paducah’s rich history in paintings on the city’s floodwall overlooking the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. (Submitted on November 16, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011
3. Illinois Central Markers & Union Station Mural
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011
4. Union Station Mural detail
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011
5. The Paducah Wall to Wall Floodwall Mural Project
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,279 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 14, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.