Stunning Chase Southern 401 Through Central Illinois - Monticello Railway Museum - 7/15/2023

[@lashendawest7509]

Great catches awesome chase and amazing video

[@timdouglas8800]

Looks like a 2-6-0. Correct? Give me some insight on the history of this locomotive. Did the Southern Railway use it as a yard switching engine, or did it have some other purpose? I really don't know much about this locomotive, other than I'm seeing it. In this video.

[@StevenJam]

Here is a short section of the museum's page about the 2-8-0. "Southern Railway No. 401 was built in December of 1907 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. It is a 2-8-0 “Consolidation” type steam locomotive, which at the time of its construction was considered to be large for locomotives. No. 401 has a total weight of 82 tons spread over four pairs of driving wheels, and a two wheel leading truck. Built primarily for use on freight trains, No. 401 was retired by the Southern in 1949 and sold to the Alabama Asphaltic Limestone Company of Margerum, Alabama, who used it for many years as a switcher locomotive at their quarry. In 1964, it was retired and placed into outdoor storage. The museum purchased it in 1967. It was then shipped on a flat car to Decatur, Illinois, arriving in January 1968. It was unloaded and stored in Decatur until October 1971, when it and 12 other pieces of equipment were moved by rail to the museum site in Monticello. From 1971 to 1995, the locomotive was on static display at the museum, with occasional cosmetic work being done to stabilize it and prevent further deterioration. In 1995, a donor stepped forward with a proposal to return an operating steam locomotive to the Monticello Railway Museum, as one had not ran since 1987. To that end, a process began to identify what locomotive we felt was the best candidate for restoration. After considering several alternatives, it was decided to restore No. 401 to operational status. After fifteen years of work, the locomotive operated at the museum for the first time in September 2010." - www.mrym.org/southern-401

[@timdouglas8800]

Thanks for the info. I had trouble classifying the wheel arrangement because of dark overtones in the video. I've been to the Monticello Railroad Museum, but it was a few years ago. The day I was there, they ran the Wabash F7. Me and my daughters were lucky enough to ride one way in the cab of the locomotive. My brother and his family moved to Champaign 3 years ago. He's not a Railfan per say, but recently contacted me about a train ride with him and his family next weekend. So I'm planning on driving down there to meet with them at the museum. The 401 isn't scheduled to run. But sometime next year, I hope for another trip back when the steam engine is running on whatever particular weekend. Thanks again and take care.