National Museum of Transportation near Kirkwood in St. Louis County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
#724
Georgia Railroad
— 1896 —
The Baldwin Locomotive Works built this six-wheel or 0-6-0 switching locomotive used to move cars in a rail yard or industrial plant. Switchers were meant for low speeds and sharp curves. They usually didn't have leading or trailing wheels, putting all their weight on their driving wheels. This one also has a slope-back or "fantail" tender. Its shape give the engine crew a better view of people working at the rear, improving safety. In 1923 the locomotive got a new boiler, changing its appearance. It was sold to the East St. Louis Junction Railroad in 1941, serving local stockyards across the Mississippi River in Illinois. In the early 1950s it was bought by St. Louis Material & Supply, later Basic Materials, in Pacific, MO. It switched hopper cars of gravel there until 1963, being the last conventional steam locomotive to regularly operate in the St. Louis area. Donated by Basic Materials in 1963.Erected 2014 by Museum of Transportation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.
Location. 38° 34.263′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. #13889 (here, next to this marker); #1149 (a few steps from this marker); Narrow Gauge (a few steps from this marker); What Is Standard Gauge? (a few steps from this marker); #884 (a few steps from this marker); #1 (a few steps from this marker); #1057 (a few steps from this marker); #1082 (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kirkwood.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 108 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 28, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
