Illinois Central No. 638

Illinois Central No. 638 was a 603-class, 2-8-0 Steam Locomotive built for the Illinois Central Railroad in April 1893 by the Rogers Locomotive Works for the Illinois Central Railroad. It was sold to the Mexican Government Railways in 1921, who had given it class G-42 (or G-43?) and number 1032, working on their lines until retirement in 1945. It was sold for scrap around 1947 or 1948, and cut up shortly afterwards. (MAYBE: Some sources mention that it was condemned in July 1941.) It was historically significant, however, in that it was an engine which Casey Jones had driven and was the first engine he had loved. It was, perhaps, the only engine on which Casey Jones had ever been photographed actually working. 
It was exhibited at the World's Columbian Exposition during 1893. When the fair closed, No.638 was due to be sent to Water Valley for service in the Jackson District. Casey Jones asked permission to drive the engine back to Water Valley and his request was approved. No.638 ran it's first 589 miles with Casey Jones at the throttle to Water Valley. Jones really loved 638; and he liked working in the Jackson District, because his family was there. They had once moved to Water Valley, but returned to Jackson which they felt was home. Jones drove that engine until he was transferred to Memphis in February 1900.
== Trivia==
When the 638 was sold to the Mexican Government Railways, arrangements were made at some point to retain the locomotive's original identity. Apparently, those in charge have heard about the 638's exploits, and admired it to such a degree that these arrangements would be carried out straightaway. In 1928, Otto Perry photographed the locomotive at Salinas with large "I.C.R.R." lettering on tender, and number 638 on cab side - and these were applied in the N de M style!
== Gallery ==
File:Illinois Central No. 638.jpeg
Category:Locomotives
Category:2-8-0 locomotives
Category:Eight-coupled locomotives
Category:Illinois Central locomotives
Category:Steam locomotives
Category:American locomotives
Category:2-8-0 steam locomotives
Category:Tender locomotives
Category:Standard gauge locomotives
Category:Scrapped locomotives
Category:Mexico
Category:Mexican locomotives
Category:Mexican Railroads
Category:Scrapped steam locomotives
Category:Rogers locomotives
Category:Built in 1893
Category:Standard gauge locomotives of the United States