The Chicago and North Western No. 444 is a Class R-1 4-6-0 "Ten Wheeler" type steam locomotive. It was built in 1908 by Alco for the Chicago and North Western Railroad.
This engine was used to haul passenger and freight trains on the C&NW.
It was retired in 1958 and it was sold to the Black Hills Central Railroad tourist line. Then, ten years later in 1968 however, it was sold to the Forney Transportation Museum, where it remains on display today.
Trivia[]
- It is one of only three surviving R-1 class engines, while the other 2: 175 & 1385 are under restoration back to operational condition: 175 is at the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso Michigan, & 1385 is at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom Wisconsin.
- 444 is the only surviving Chicago & Northwestern steam engine to burn oil.