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

American Steel Foundries #8

— 1948 —

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

1. American Steel Foundries #8 Marker

Inscription. The Whitcomb Locomotive Company of Rochelle, IL, built this 65-ton industrial switcher, model 65-DE-17-A. It has a B-B classification and cost $49,775. It was built with two Hercules, 4-cycle, 6 cylinder diesel engines that each produced 240 HP, for a total of 480 HP. They were replaced with 200 HP Cummins engines, giving it 400 HP. Number 8 is 36' 6 1/2" long, weighs 130,000 lbs., and has a top speed of 41 mph. The lower couplers are 3/4-sized onces needed by small, low level cars used to haul raw materials and steel ingots around the blast furnaces. Donated in 1980 by American Steel Foundries.

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 1948.

Location. 38° 34.29′ N, 90° 27.715′ 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 just 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

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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: New York Central #2933 (within shouting distance of this marker); Erie-Lackawanna #3607 (within shouting distance of this marker); Sabine River & Northern #408 (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Louis - San Francisco #1621 (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Louis Southwestern Maintenance of Way #95589 (within shouting distance of this marker); #9908 "Silver Charger" (within shouting distance of this marker); General American Transportation Company #96500 (within shouting distance of this marker); Baltimore & Ohio #50 (within

American Steel Foundries #8 and Marker image. Click for full size.

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

2. American Steel Foundries #8 and Marker

shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kirkwood.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Missouri Pacific #4502 (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing).

American Steel Foundries #8 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Garrett Koch, May 28, 2026

3. American Steel Foundries #8

Hidden between other pieces at the museum.

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 215 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on June 3, 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. 3. submitted on May 31, 2026, by Garrett Koch of Saint Louis, Missouri.