National Museum of Transportation near Kirkwood in St. Louis County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Illinois Central #30
University of Illinois Dynamometer Car
| | 1943 | |
Built by the Illinois Central railroad at it's Burnside shops in Chicago with the instruments provided by the University of Illinois (the car was jointly owned). The dynamometer car is a rolling laboratory that tests the pulling power of locomotives. The front coupler is attached to the frame by a hydraulic cylinder. The pull of a locomotive moves a piston in the cylinder and measuring instruments in the car record data. The system is so sensitive it can detect the forces of a person pulling on the coupler and so strong that it tested an engine pulling a 213 car coal train. Number 30 is 60 feet long, weighs 125,000 pounds and contains an operating compartment with recording table, instruments and tool bench, 2 staterooms which accommodate 4 people each, toilet, shower and kitchen. This car was last used behind a steam locomotive in 1952 and was only used once behind a diesel-electric in 1955. Donated in 1969 by the Illinois Central Railroad and University of Illinois.
Erected by Museum of Transportation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Railroads & Streetcars • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1952.
Location. 38° 34.32′ N, 90° 27.634′ W. Marker is near Kirkwood
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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: The Gasconade Bridge Disaster (a few steps from this marker); Civil War Destruction (a few steps from this marker); Riot in the Tunnels (a few steps from this marker); SBIX #1634 (a few steps from this marker); Ground-breaking! (a few steps from this marker); The Pacific Railroad Controversy (a few steps from this marker); The Missouri Pacific Today... (a few steps from this marker); Jay Gould and the Missouri Pacific (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 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 224 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on June 21, 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.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. • • Photo of Illinois Central #30. • • • Can you help?
