Overnight temperatures dipped below zero as January 1933 ended in Lucas County. But cold did not deter crowds that gathered at the Burlington rail yards in northwest Chariton on Wednesday afternoon and evening, Jan. 25, to view what was said to be an historic locomotive as it made its way east from Lincoln, Nebraska, to Aurora, Illinois.
Estimated to be more than 50 years old at the time, the vintage engine no longer traveled under its own power but was being towed by slow freights to Aurora where it would be fitted out for display at the Chicago World's Fair.
Here's how The Chariton Leader described the visit in its edition of Tuesday, Feb. 7:
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One of the first engines to see service west of the Missouri River spent last night in the Burlington yards here. At 7 a.m. today, it was taken in tow by a slow freight for the remainder of its journey from Lincoln, Neb., to Aurora, Ill.
At the Burlington shops in Aurora, it will be reconditioned for exhibition at the Chicago World's Fair.
Replete with brass work, it seemed almost like a toy when compared with engines of a more modern period. Stream lines were evidently not in vogue back in the 1880s when No. 35 made its bow on the old Burlington and Missouri River line. To support the cow catcher alone, four wheels are needed. Between it and the boiler is an open space which has no apparent purpose.
The pride of No. 35 must have been its large, shining bell which today could no doubt be put to service in a church or school. Or it might have been the smokestack which seems almost to make it top heavy. Beginning in rather unobtrusive fashion, the stack becomes ambitious as it reaches for the sky and branches out to resemble a tub perched atop a stove pipe.
The Burlington and Missouri River line was the original name of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad, according to L.T. Stewart, freight agent for the Burlington in Chariton. As the engine was among the first 35 to be used on the old road, it is believed to be more than 50 years old.
Stewart stated that it had been exhibited in Denver and other points farther west, and had more recently been a center of attraction at the Nebraska State Fair at Lincoln.
Because of its age, the engine is being moved in easy stages to Aurora, Only the slower freights are used to tow it as a fast ride would no doubt tear it to pieces, Stewart said.
The engine arrived in Chariton Wednesday. Large numbers braved the icy blasts which swept the yards during the afternoon to view one of the oldest railroad pioneers.
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There are a number of things in this account that are somewhat askew. In the first place, Mr. Stewart was misinformed about the relationship between the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad and the Chicago Burlington & Quincy.
The Chicago Burlington & Quincy dated from 1856 and operated mostly east of the Mississippi initially. The Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, which also began operations in 1856, was a separate company formed to develop the rail line across southern Iowa that reached Chariton in 1867 and then continued west to the Missouri River and into Nebraska toward Denver. The CB&Q absorbed the B&MR in both Iowa and Nebraska during 1872.
In addition, Locomotive No. 35 was not quite what it was presented to be.
According to the book, "Steam Locomotives Of The Burlington Route" by Bernard G. Corbin and Richard F. Kerka, this locomotive was built by CB&Q's Aurora Shops in 1892 as Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad No. 66 and later renumbered Hannibal and St. Joseph 666. During 1904, it was renumbered into the CB&Q system as CB&Q No. 359.
During 1932, it was rebuilt in Denver for exhibition at the Century of Progress, to be held in Chicago during 1933-34, and renumbered Burlington & Missouri River Railroad 35.
After having done its duty in Chicago, it was leased as Union Pacific No. 119 during the 1939-40 New York World’s Fair as well as the 1948-49 Chicago Railroad Fair.
Finally, in 1970, the locomotive was donated to the Patee House Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri, owned and operated by the Pony Express Historical Association, where in continues to be on display. So if you'd like to visit old No. 35, too, all that's required is a couple of hours drive to St. Joe. The museum is open year-around.
Image taken 1953 at Galva, Illinois; photographer unknown, print by Gordon C. Bassett, Chuck Zeiler collection.
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