National Museum of Transportation near Kirkwood in St. Louis County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific #E-2

— 1920 —

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 22, 2019

1. Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific #E-2 Marker

Inscription. Built by General Electric to pull transcontinental passenger trains through the Cascade Mountains, number E-2 is one of five 1+B-D-D-B+1 "gearless bi-polars" which means the 12 traction motors are mounted directly on the driving axles thus eliminating the use of gears. Moving downhill the motors converted into generators which returned electricity to the distributing system. This is the sole surviving Bi-polar. Donated in 1961 by the Milwaukee Road.

Erected by Museum of Transportation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 38° 34.269′ N, 90° 27.786′ W. Marker is near Kirkwood, Missouri, in St. Louis County. It is in National Museum of Transportation. It can be reached from Barrett Station Road east of Old Dougherty Ferry Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3015 Barrett Station Road, Saint Louis MO 63122, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Illinois Terminal #1575 (a few steps from this marker); What Does "Bi-Polar" Mean? (a few steps from this marker); SL-SF #3000 (a few steps from this marker); Chicago, Burlington & Quincy #6117 (a few steps from this marker); MCHX #117 (a few steps from this marker); General American Pfaulder Corporation Milk Car #1057 (a few steps from this marker); URTX #37144 (a few steps from this marker); Northern Pacific #1082 (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kirkwood.

Another marker is no longer nearby. TTOX #130059 (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced

#E-2 and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 22, 2019

2. #E-2 and Marker

with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 201 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 28, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.