The American Industrial Railroad Society plans to restore #4 to operation and tour it around the United States as a mobile museum and living artifact! When complete, the engine will appear as it did in 1913 with olive green paint, aluminum striping and kerosene style lighting. It has been nearly a century since #4 has appeared this way, and more than 60 years since the engine has been in operation.

Due to its relatively small size, #4 is easily moved on a lowboy/semi trailer. This means that AIRS has virtually no limitations as to where we can take and operate our locomotive.

As a matter of fact, we are already holding discussions with a number of museums and railroads interested in hosting the engine for operational demonstrations, rides, revenue freight jaunts, photo charters and more!

AIRS is located near Davenport, Iowa. While we would love to have you visit, our current residence is on private property and not open to visitors. If you would like to request a visit, please contact us via email with your inquiry.

We kindly ask that visitors do not come to our work site without prior arrangements out of respect to the property owners. Persons who do so will be asked to leave, and trespassers reported to the police.

We thank you for your understanding.

AIRS is always looking for new members and enthusiastic volunteers! Please visit the ‘Membership’ page to learn more.

We rely on the generosity of our supporters to continue our mission and further the restoration of Indiana Northern #4. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so on the website. All donations to AIRS are tax-deductible, and every dollar given brings our steam locomotive a little closer to operating once again.

If you would like to make a tangible donation of tools, books, artifacts or other items please contact us to make arrangements.

As the saying goes “It will be done when its done”

We wish we could have a timeline for #4, but due to innumerable factors at play in the restoration of a locomotive- such as funding, volunteer labor, contractor lead times, and more, we can’t post a schedule for the completion of #4. But rest assured, you can find the latest on our website, and we’ll keep up to date on the progress of #4’s return to service.