Illinois
Sterling
Although this is not a very good photo, its basic function is to show the equipment as a whole. These locomotives and tenders, apparently abandoned, actually belong to the Illinois Railway Museum in Union.
The locos are Baldwin built 0-8-0s, formerly of the Gulf Trunk Western Railroad. Built in Philadelphia in 1929, they served their purpose well hauling steel out of Northwestern Steel and Wire among other
stops on their route. Below, the lead locomotive is compared with its twin, #73 of Northwestern Steel and Wire Co., which saw it's last days of service in November of 1980 when its was replaced by diesel
power. Paul W. Dillon, former president of the company, was a stout steam patriot who kept #73 and others active. This locomotive can be seen at the Dillon Home & Museum in Sterling, IL.
