Illinois Central RR No. 201 is a 2-4-4T steam locomotive built in 1880 by the Rogers Locomotive Works for the Illinois Central.
In the late 1800's the engine used on commuter runs into Chicago on the Illinois Central railroad.
The engine hauled thousands of passengers to the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, at which time, John Luther Jones (aka "Casey Jones") was one of its engineers.
In 1926 the engine was retired by the Illinois Central railroad and it was put in storage.
Today the engine is a static display at the Illinois Railway Museum.
Trivia[]
- It was originally numbered #213, this was one of a large fleet of locomotives acquired by the IC for short haul commuter traffic in the Chicago area.
- This is the only surviving steam locomotive to have a connection with Casey Jones.
- No. 201 pulled the last IC steam commuter train when the line was electrified in 1926.
- The locomotive has a coal bunker and water tank they are fixed to #201's frame, which is why it is classed a tank engine.
- It was sold in 1960 and finally bought by the museum in 2002.