Illinois Central No. 1518 is a 2-8-2 Mikado type steam locomotive built by the Lima Locomotive Works in 1923. It was the last steam locomotive operated by the Illinois Central and is currently on display in downtown Paducah, Kentucky.
History[]
No. 1518 was built by the Lima Locomotive Works of Lima, Ohio, in November 1923. The IC had the third largest fleet of Mikado type locomotives in the United States, owning over 500. Originally numbered 1932, No. 1518 worked primarily in coal train service in Kentucky but occasionally ventured elsewhere on the IC's system between Chicago and New Orleans. In 1940, the IC renumbered it to No. 1420, and once again renumbered it to No. 1518 in 1951. It was retired in 1960 and was the last active steam locomotive on the Illinois Central's roster. Following its retirement, it was placed in storage at the IC's roundhouse in Paducah, KY.
In 1964, the IC was preparing to demolish the roundhouse and donated No. 1518 to the City of Paducah for display. It was placed on display next to a flood wall along the Ohio River in downtown Paducah, and remains on static display there today along with an IC RPO car and a steam era transfer caboose. The City of Paducah has maintained the locomotive since it was placed on display and recently repainted it.