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

"Black Diamond"

Reading

— 1889 —

"Black Diamond" Marker image. Click for full size.

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

1. "Black Diamond" Marker

Inscription. 2-2-2 Type inspection locomotive built by Baldwin Locomotive Works. The "Black Diamond" has a walnut paneled observation room, seats eight, is 22'9 1/4" long weighs 26,300 lbs, and is believed to be the the last steam inspection locomotive in existence today. The limited area behind the firebox made it necessary for a small boy to act as the fireman. Donated in 1948 by the Reading Railroad.

Erected by Museum of Transportation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 38° 34.313′ N, 90° 27.655′ 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, 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: General Motors #103 (a few steps from this marker); SBIX #1634 (a few steps from this marker); Illinois Terminal Neon Sign (a few steps from this marker); Chesapeake & Ohio #2727 (a few steps from this marker); Delaware, Lackawanna & Western #952

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(a few steps from this marker); Arkansas & Missouri #102 (a few steps from this marker); St. Louis - Southwestern #71 (a few steps from this marker); Boston & Providence "Daniel Nason" (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kirkwood.

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

2. "Black Diamond" Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 545 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on June 4, 2026, by Garrett Koch of Saint Louis, Missouri. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 28, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.