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

Chicago & Illinois Midland #551

— 1928 —

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

1. Chicago & Illinois Midland #551 Marker

Inscription. 2-8-2 USRA Light Mikado-Type freight locomotive built by Lima Locomotive Works. During WWI the United States Railroad Administration developed standardized railroad designs and there were thousands of Mikados built. Mikados were considered the "work horse of the railroad." during WWII the name was changed to "Macarthur" because of the war with Japan. Donated in 1955 by the Chicago & Illinois Midland Railroad.

Erected 2015 by National Museum of Transportation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, World I • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1955.

Location. 38° 34.307′ N, 90° 27.756′ 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,

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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: #9908 "Silver Charger" (here, next to this marker); The Push Poles and Poling (a few steps from this marker); St. Louis - San Francisco #1621 (a few steps from this marker); Chicago, Burlington & Quincy #1942 (a few steps from this marker); Sabine River & Northern #408 (a few steps from this marker); UTLX #14387 (within shouting distance of this marker); Baltimore & Ohio #50 (within shouting distance of this marker); General American Transportation Company #96500 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kirkwood.

Chicago & Illinois Midland #551 and Marker image. Click for full size.

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

2. Chicago & Illinois Midland #551 and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 233 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on June 30, 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.