Davenport Non-Profit to Restore 1913 Steam Locomotive
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DAVENPORT, Iowa, September 9th, 2022: The American Industrial Railroad Society(AIRS) today announced their acquisition of the Indiana Northern Railroad #4, an 0-4-0 tender type locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in January, 1913. The locomotive was purchased by AIRS in 2020 and relocated to a restoration site in Davenport where volunteers are working to return the dismantled engine to operational status in its as-built appearance.
AIRS, an Iowa-based 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization, was established in 2020 with the mission to preserve, restore and interpret equipment, artifacts, documents, and more related to industrial railroading in the United States. Partnered with the Davenport Industrial Railroad and the Youngstown Steel Heritage Foundation, the group plans to travel to various museums and railroads across the country with the engine once it is operational.
The locomotive operated for the Indiana Northern in South Bend, Indiana until 1948, and served numerous customers along the two mile long railroad, including the Oliver Chilled Plow Company, Studebaker automobile factory, and more. The engine was then purchased by a gravel pit outside St. Louis, Missouri, where it switched carloads of gravel until the late 1950’s or early 60’s. The disused engine languished in the abandoned pit for years until it was rescued and later dismantled in an ill-fated restoration attempt. AIRS purchased the locomotive from the estate of the previous owner in Aledo, Illinois.
“No. 4 is representative of the thousands of switching locomotives that helped turn the gears of industry in the US for decades.” said Sam Aufmuth, President of the organization “It’s a perfect fit within the mission of AIRS, and by restoring the engine to operation, we aim to bring to light to the vital and often overlooked role that the industrial railroads and railroaders played as the last-mile connections to the country’s economy.”
Persons interested in learning more are invited to find the latest on the AIRS website and Facebook page. Tax-deductible donations can also be made to assist in the restoration of No. 4.
Colorized depiction of No. 4 new at the Baldwin Locomotive Works in January, 1913.