Chicago & North Western No. 1015 is a class D "Atlantic" type 4-4-2 steam locomotive built in 1900 by the Schenectady Locomotive Works for the Chicago & North Western Railway. This locomotive was used for crack passenger service for many Years into the 1920's when larger engine Classes like the E Classes took over.
In 1946, the locomotive was retired from service and put in storage then later that same year, 1015 was bought by Mr. John R. Smith, who donated it to the St Louis Museum of Transportation as a static display two years later in 1948.
Today, this locomotive is still a major exhibit at the Museum of Transportation, although unfortunately it suffered badly from neglect and many years' exposure to the elements. In this picture, you can see the extent of its deterioration to the point where even weeds were growing out of its firebox. However, an extensive cosmetic restoration should be expected to be carried out in the not-too-distant future, hopefully to stop its condition from getting worse.
Trivia[]
- This is the only remaining C&NW "Atlantic", and one of the very few surviving engines of this wheel arrangement in the USA.
- The locomotive is one of Sixteen 4-4-2s built between 1900 and 1901 for the Chicago and North Western Railway by the Schenectady Locomotive Works prior to the ALCO Merger of 1901.
- It was the first locomotive to have arrived at the St Louis Museum of Transport in 1948, after being donated by John Russell Smith, who bought it from the C&NW in 1946.
- This locomotive is the only C&NW D class left in existence.