Tradescantia

Illinois Central 201 is a steam locomotive, originally owned and operated by Illinois Central Railroad. In 1949, the locomotive was operated at the Chicago Railroad Fair as part of the "Wheels A-Rolling" pageant. It is now on static display at Illinois Railway Museum in Union, Illinois.

Service

201 was one of several 2-4-4T locomotives built for commuter service between the edge of the Chicago Loop and the South suburbs (now part of the Metra Electric District).

Preservation

1401 was retired in 1926 when the IC electrified the route. The rest of the fleet retired in 1935 from yard service; some were sold to other railroads. in 1934, it was renumbered back into 201 where it took part at the Chicago Worlds Fair for many years until 1949. In 1975, the locomotive was sold to a private owner and displayed in front of the depot in Owatonna, Minnesota. It was later donated to the Illinois Railway Museum in 2002.

References

• Chicago Railroad Fair Official Guide Book. 1949.
• Edson, William D. (Spring 1979). "Locomotive Rosters Illinois Central Railroad and Predecessor Lines". Railroad History. 140. Railway and Locomotive Historical Society: 10–114. JSTOR 43523944.
• Moshein, Peter; Rothfus, Robert R. (Autumn 1992). "Rogers Locomotives: A Brief History and Construction List". Railroad History. 167. Railway and Locomotive Historical Society: 13–147. JSTOR 43521603.