Large Scale Central

Trip to see CR&N #1

General Discussion
#1

Well it is official,

Provided something drastic doesn’t happen I have planned my trip to Barrington, IL to the Sanfalippo Foundation Museum to see the locomotive formerly known as Coeur d’Alene Railway and Navigation Company #1.

Photo courtesy of the Sanfalippo Museum

I have been invited to have a private viewing of this locomotive in exchange for a write up of its history and on account that I am writing a book about the RR. They are even going to let me climb aboard and get some measurements from it. It was built by Grant Locomotive Works in 1881 as C/N 1484 for the Texas & St. Louis #5. It was narrow gauge but sometime in the 1920’s it was purchased by Henry Ford and converted to Standard gauge for work at the Ford Motor plant. CR&N had it from 1886 to 1898.

It is most likely the oldest surviving Grant loco and as far as I know maybe the only surviving Grant.

Any who I am going to take a trip to Barrington and be there on the 28th of March and then I will be heading to St Paul, MN to the Minnesota Historical Society to pour over the NPR records including old documents from the CR&N. To finish off I will be headed through the Black Hills to see Mt. Rushmore and Crazy horse. It will be 11 days spent with my father, a time I am really looking forward too, time with him is always special and since we both love local history this will be a great time.

#2

Now that sounds like a cool trip especially the part about being able to share the time with your father.

#3

Rick Marty said:

Now that sounds like a cool trip especially the part about being able to share the time with your father.

Rick,

He isn’t getting any younger. He is 75 and while he is still in great health now the opportunities to spend time like this with him are going to be fewer all the time. We spend a great deal of time together anyway, but this will be one of those special trips to remember.

#4

Wow, what a stunningly gorgeous locomotive!

#5

Ray,

I posted this once before but it gives a great loco at this locomotive

http://youtu.be/BR2RVaXKQiE

I personally think it is a bit over the top in its restoration but only because I have a penchant for its days with the CR&N when it looked nothing like this. It was an all black work horse then. It is a very nice loco though and can’t wait to post a pic here of me in the cab

#6

Gorgeous, and that prop locomotive ain’t bad, neither. :slight_smile: