Near Mammoth Cave in Edmonson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Engine No. 4
The Mammoth Cave Railroad Company used four 04-2T-type “dummy” engines to pull cars along its branch line. Steam engines work by burning fuel to heat water to produce steam under high pressure. The pressurized steam is then channeled through a valve into a piston, forcing the piston to move the wheels.
Deceptively strong for their small size, these locomotives pulled coaches laden with passengers and freight up and down the hills and hollows between Glasgow Junction and Mammoth Cave. The most famous of these engines, No. 3, came to be known as “Hercules.” But even Hercules had trouble going uphill when mischievous local boys soaped the rails…
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 37° 11.064′ N, 86° 5.932′ W. Marker is near Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, in Edmonson County. Marker is within Mammoth Cave National park, along the Mammoth Cave Railroad Trail. This 9-mile bicycle and hiking recreational trail follows the old Mammoth Cave Railroad bed. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mammoth Cave KY 42259, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Mammoth Cave Railroad (a few steps from this marker); World Treasure Saved (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Guide's Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mammoth Cave National Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. ¼ mile away); The Great War Monuments (approx. 0.3 miles away); An African American Heritage (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old Riverboat Landing (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mammoth Cave.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Mammoth Cave Railroad (1886-1931)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 707 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on December 1, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1. submitted on November 28, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 18, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.