Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-06-22
RUNS FIRST TRAIN
William Dean, Engineer on Maid
en- Trip on Rock Island Road,
Still Living.
rs NOW "a YEARS OF AGE
1000 Locomotives Gradually Being
Displaced by Those of 400
Type on c. r. 1. & Il.

William Dean of Galesburg claims
the distinction of being the engineer
who handled the throttle of the first
engine into this city on the Rock ISL
and road. Mr.. Dean is "A years of
age.
The railroads in those days were
crude affairs. Hardwood timbers
about 2x6 inches in size were placed
on edge and strips were fastened to
the wooden rails by means of large
spikes and the head battered down so
that it would not interfere with traf
fic. 1t was a common occurrence for
the spike to be worked loose at one
end of the rail. which would allow the
iron strip to curve upward and when
the engine struck such a place in the
track. a derailment was almost in
evitable.
wrecking Outfit Carried.
Mr.. Dean said the most interesting
part of his run. and at the same time
the most perplexing, was that between
COlona and Minerstown, which was
included in his regular trip. At that
| time it was necessary for the regular
| freight trains to run down to the
mining village to pick up the cars
| loaded with coal. the distance being
about four miles.
1t was necessary on this run to car
ry a complete wrecking outfit, as the
engine or some of the cars left the
| track nearly every day in making the
run down to the mine from Colona.
When the train left the track the
crowbars would be brought out and
| zen the struggle to place the cars
or engine back onto the track began
1t is fortunate that the engines were
not as heavy as at present. or the task
would never have been accomplished.
1t was not uncommon TO spend almost
an entire day in getting the train onto
the track after an unusually large
number of cars had been derailed.
Changing Engines.
BY slow degrees the large 1000 type
engines are being taken from the
Iowa and other divisions of the Rock
Island joining at the new shops.
1t will be remembered that an
order was issued some months ago
providing for the complete removal of
1600s from Natick and the substitu-
ton of the smaller 140Os. The latter
while not as strong or speedy for
heavy freight as the former are quite
satisfactory on the east Iowa division,
as the road is not very billy and the
running is easy.
What will be done with the 16O0s
is yet a matter of conjecture. The
popular belief exists that they will be
taken to the far western additions of
the Rock Island system for runs on
the steep grades and rough hills.
The greater part of the 14OOs have
arrived and are being held at the
Natick round house. They are lower
than the 16OOs and are noticeably
shorter. The drive wheels are much
smaller, and the machine on the
whole does not have the pOnderous
appearance of it's predecessor.
Several of the 1000 type still re-
main at Natick awaiting the arrival
of more of the old 400 engines. 1t is
expected that before many weeks are
over, the division will have seen the
last of the largest engines that were
! ever run through the three cities
| Taking off the 16OOs will also neces-
state putting on more engines. The
division will probably be equipped
with several more locomotives than
| have previously been doing duty on
account of the smaller capabilities OF
the type that is about TO be used.
May Change Financial Plans.
BY the sale to the New York First
National bank of another block of
shOrt-time Rock Island notes. amount
ing to $7,500.00O. credence is attach
ed to a statement that the Rock Isl
and may again modify its big financial
plans, if not to abandon them entire
| ~. 1t is understood that Morgan,
Blair and Kidder, Peabody & Co.
share in this purchase and that large
amount of the notes has already been
sold to the investors at about SO.