Steam & Excursion > 4960 in 1960

Before she bacame famous, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 2-8-2 #4960 was just another "Q" O1a Mikado.  One of the last places she called home was the line into the southern Illinois coal fields south of Centralia, Illinois.  The year after the last gasp of regular service steam on the line, the now-famous Mike had a glorious homecoming as she hauled trains the length of the line to Metropolis, Illinois.  These three photos were taken by Jim Adams.

1. This undated photo was taken on a different day than the other two, and the location is unknown.

2. In October, 1960, the 4960 and her train is stopped in the coal town of Sesser, Illinois.  The depot is gone today, though steam did return here in June of 1993 when Frisco 1522 turned on the wye on the point of a pair of employee specials for successor Burlington Northern.

3. Another October, 1960, photo catches the fantripping Mikado at speed headed north (timetable east) up the coal line.  This photo is likely taken the same day as the previous one.

The "Q" Mikes may have been an acquired taste, and some may say she looks better today in her rebuilt form on the Grand Canyon Railway, but she looked marvellous as she returned to her old stomping grounds!

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

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love the q's steam program, i never saw it, wish it was here still, and C&S's too

Great pictures.  Growing up as a young railfan, it was nice to see pics of the 4960 and know that there was steam still running somewhere occasionally

My future wife and I MAY have been on that train.  We made several of her trips to Hannibal,Mexico and Centralia back then.

What the Grand Canyon Railroad did to the 4960is an abomination.  They should have left it alone instead of trying to make it look like a Southern steam engine.

Before nose job.  At least it is reversible, unlike Barbara Strisand's. 

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