Steam & Excursion > ICRR 2500 And A Nod To Her Savior

The Illinois Central Railroad was not generous when it came to preserving locomotives.  Only three big engines survived the cutting torches, including 4-8-2 #2500 at Centralia, Illinois.  This series of photos was taken of the locomotive by George Redmond who grew up in and remains a resident of Centralia.

The man most behind the preservation of #2500 was former I.C. employee Jim Adams, also of Centralia.  A couple of years ago, Mr. Adams was honored on his 105th birthday when #2500's whistle was hooked up to an air compressor.  At 105 years old, he climbed into the cab and went to town with the whistle chord.  I posted a video of this at the time.

James "Jim" Adams passed away last week at age 107.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

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With thanks to Mr. Adams for his foresight in preserving this beautiful piece of history.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

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James "Jim" Adams: May 10, 1913 - November 11, 2020

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

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What a wonderful tribute!
Bob

I had to do a search to find the post with the video of Mr. Adams and #2500.

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?10,4553217,4553217#msg-4553217

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

Thanks for posting the stills and the video, Mary.  Sorry to hear of Jim's passing.  He sure could play a tune with that whistle, even at his age.  Interesting history of the 2500, too, the first of the 2-10s to be converted to 4-8-2 Mountain, or in my case, Mohawk.

That is such a nice looking loco and tender combination.

MaryMcPherson Wrote:
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> James "Jim" Adams: May 10, 1913 - November 11,
> 2020

Was he in engine service when he worked for the IC? If he was he was one of the dwindling last of main line standard gauge steam men alive.

Posted from iPhone

From his obituary:  "Jim obtained a Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois. Jim began his career with the Illinois Geodetic Survey company where he was an Assistant Field Engineer. Jim and his crew set many of the benchmarks still used in Southern Illinois today. He then worked for Centralia Baking Company. Jim’s next employer was the Mount Vernon Car Company who loaned him out to the Evansville, IN shipyards. While working there, Jim helped design the LST landing craft used in World War II. He also delivered 100 Union Pacific cabooses which took 8 trips on 14 different railroads to North Platte, NE. November 1943 to February 1975 Mr. Adams was a loyal employee of Illinois Central Railroad, working as a shop draftsman for over 31 years. He worked at the car shops in Centralia as a Draftsman until he retired."

Drknow Wrote:
> Was he in engine service when he worked for the
> IC? If he was he was one of the dwindling last of
> main line standard gauge steam men alive.
>
> Posted from iPhone

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions