Ovid in Sedgwick County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

"Dinky" Locomotive

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2017

1. "Dinky" Locomotive Marker

Inscription. Known as the “Dinky,” this unit was owned and operated by the Great Western Sugar Co. from 1926 to 1985. Its primary function was to shuttle rail cars of coal, lime-rock, beets and sugar in the Ovid factory yards.

Donated to the town of Ovid – 1987 – by the Amalgamated Sugar Co.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 40° 57.813′ N, 102° 23.285′ W. Marker is in Ovid, Colorado, in Sedgwick County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Morgan Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Main Street. Marker (and subject locomotive) are located at the southeast corner of Ovid City Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ovid CO 80744, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Ovid, Colorado (approx. 0.2 miles away); See and Do,Off the Byway (approx. ¼ mile away); Prisoners on the Plains / Ride 'Em Cowboy (approx. ¼ mile away); Fort Sedgwick (approx. 0.3 miles away); Early Campsites and River Crossings (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sugar Town (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort Sedgwick, Colorado Territory (approx. 1.8 miles away); Hard Duty on the Plains (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ovid.

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

More about this marker. Marker consists of text written directly on the subject locomotive

Also see . . .
1. Great Western "Dinkies".
The Ovid, Colorado, engine, No. 2150, was built by Davenport in 1929 as a 36" gauge 0-4-0T for the Corroda & Caliardi Construction Company of Monongahela, Pennsylvania, and was converted to standard gauge in 1943. It was presented to Ovid in 1987 after being stored inside the abandoned sugar factory for years, and today sits at the city park. Protected from vandals with a high fence, the engine is in excellent condition, although its tasteful paint job is somewhat inaccurate. For some reason, it has the number 4109 painted on the number plate and cab. No.2150 is mechanically complete, right down to the steam gauge on the backhead. (Submitted on November 20, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Ovid, Colorado Sugar Factory (1926-1985).
Ovid was a true company town and became incorporated in 1925 while the huge Great Western Sugar Company factory was still being built just east of town. With irrigation from the South Platte, the surrounding area had proven that it could successfully grow beets but the crops had to be transported to Sterling or Eaton for processing. When Great Western decided to build a new state of the art factory to accommodate the NE Colorado area growers, Ovid was chosen among two neighboring

"Dinky" Locomotive: dedication image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2017

2. "Dinky" Locomotive: dedication

towns, Julesburg and Sedgwick. Ovid is the only northern Colorado sugar beet town that has lost population since their factory was shut down. Unlike most of the other factory towns (Ft. Collins and Sterling would be the exceptions), Ovid still celebrates their factory town history, including having their Dinky on display in a small park: (Submitted on November 20, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

"Dinky" Locomotive (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2017

3. "Dinky" Locomotive (wide view)

"Dinky" Locomotive Marker (<i>front view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2017

4. "Dinky" Locomotive Marker (front view)

"Dinky" Locomotive Marker (<i>side view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2017

5. "Dinky" Locomotive Marker (side view)

"Dinky" Locomotive Marker (<i>firebox view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2017

6. "Dinky" Locomotive Marker (firebox view)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 540 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 20, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.