Reuben Wells (locomotive): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Steam locomotive in Indiana}} |
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{{italic title}} |
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{{Infobox locomotive |
{{Infobox locomotive |
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| name = Reuben Wells |
| name = ''Reuben Wells'' |
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| powertype = Steam |
| powertype = Steam |
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| image = Reuben Wells 1.jpg |
| image = Reuben Wells 1.jpg |
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| caption = |
| caption = |
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| designer = Reuben Wells |
| designer = Reuben Wells |
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| builder = |
| builder = JM&I shops, Jeffersonville, IN |
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| ordernumber = |
| ordernumber = |
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| serialnumber = |
| serialnumber = |
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| rebuilddate = |
| rebuilddate = |
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| numberrebuilt = |
| numberrebuilt = |
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| whytetype = [[0-10-0]]T |
| whytetype = [[0-10-0]][[tank locomotive|T]] |
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| uicclass = E |
| uicclass = E n2t |
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| gauge = {{RailGauge|ussg}} |
| gauge = {{RailGauge|ussg|allk=on}} |
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| leadingdiameter = |
| leadingdiameter Day was like an hour and pa birthday = |
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| driverdiameter = |
| driverdiameter = |
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| trailingdiameter = |
| trailingdiameter = |
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| minimumcurve = |
| minimumcurve = |
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| wheelbase = |
| wheelbase = |
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| length = {{Convert|35|ft|abbr=on}} |
| length = {{Convert|35|ft|2|abbr=on}} |
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| width = |
| width = |
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| height = |
| height = |
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| axleload = |
| axleload = |
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| weightondrivers = |
| weightondrivers = |
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| locoweight = {{Convert|55|ST|lk=on}} |
| locoweight = {{Convert|55|ST|LT t|lk=on}} |
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| fueltype = Wood |
| fueltype = [[Wood]] |
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| fuelcap = |
| fuelcap = |
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| watercap = |
| watercap = |
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| valvelead = |
| valvelead = |
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| transmission = |
| transmission = |
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| maxspeed = |
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| poweroutput = |
| poweroutput = |
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| tractiveeffort = |
| tractiveeffort = |
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| trainbrakes = |
| trainbrakes = |
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| safety = |
| safety = |
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| operator = [[Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis Railroad]] |
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| operatorclass = |
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| powerclass = |
| powerclass = |
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| numinclass = |
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| fleetnumbers = |
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| officialname = |
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| nicknames = |
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| scrapdate = |
| scrapdate = |
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| currentowner = [[The Children's Museum of Indianapolis]] |
| currentowner = [[The Children's Museum of Indianapolis]] |
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| disposition = |
| disposition = static display |
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| notes = |
| notes = |
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{{Designation list |
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| embed = yes |
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| designation1 = IRHSS |
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| designation1_date = |
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| designation1_number =}} |
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}} |
}} |
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'''The Reuben Wells''' is a steam |
'''''The Reuben Wells''''' is a [[steam locomotive]] in the permanent collection of [[The Children's Museum of Indianapolis]] located in [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]], [[United States]]. Beginning in 1868, it operated for 30 years in [[Madison, Indiana]], pushing [[railroad car|train cars]] up the steepest "standard-gauge main-track grade"<ref name="Kriplen"/> in the United States.<ref name="All Aboard">{{cite web|last=The Children's Museum of Indianapolis|title=All Aboard!|url=http://www.childrensmuseum.org/all-aboard|accessdate=26 February 2011}}</ref> |
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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The Reuben Wells is a locomotive that was built in 1868. It was designed to push train cars up the 5.89% incline of Madison Hill in Madison, Indiana, the steepest segment of |
The ''Reuben Wells'' is a [[Bank engine|helper locomotive]] that was built in 1868. It was designed to push train cars up the 5.89% incline of Madison Hill in Madison, Indiana, the steepest segment of {{Track gauge|ussg|allk=on}} [[Main line (railway)|main-track]] in the United States.<ref name="Kriplen"/> Weighing {{Convert|55|ST|LT t|lk=on}}, it was the most powerful locomotive in the world at the time. It is {{Convert|35|ft|2}} long.<ref name="All Aboard"/><ref name="Newseum"/> The locomotive is named after its designer, engineer Reuben Wells.<ref name=Madison>{{cite news|title=Old Reuben Wells Runs At Chicago|newspaper=The Madison Courier|date=June 24, 1950}}</ref> |
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==Historical information== |
==Historical information== |
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| ⚫ | The Reuben Wells was made specifically for Madison Hill, Indiana, a {{Convert| |
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| ⚫ | The ''Reuben Wells'' was made specifically for Madison Hill, Indiana, a {{Convert|1.3|mi|adj=on}} long stretch of track that is known for having the steepest regular [[Grade (slope)|incline]] in the United States. The [[Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis Railroad]] tried many different methods to get train cars up the hill.<ref name=PennCentral>{{cite news|title=Reuben Wells: Famous Engine Starts New Career|newspaper=Penn Central Post|date=August 1, 1968}}</ref> The [[coupler (railway)|couplers]] used to connect the [[railroad car|train cars]] were not strong enough to withstand being pulled up the hill, making it necessary for the cars to be pushed.<ref name=Billings>{{cite web|title=All Aboard the Mighty Reuben Wells|work=The Children's Museum of Indianapolis|url=https://www.childrensmuseum.org/blog/all-aboard-mighty-reuben-wells|access-date=November 21, 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref> Initially a team of horses was used to pull the train cars up the hill. Following this, a [[rack railway|cogwheel system]] was in use for about twenty years. The ''Reuben Wells'' was the first steam engine to work the grade by [[rail adhesion|adhesion]] alone, pushing the cars up the hill as well as supporting them on the descent starting in 1880.<ref name=Billings/> |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | The ''Reuben Wells'' was completed in the railroad shops<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sdrm.org/faqs/boilers/page6.html |publisher=San Diego Railroad Museum|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214081436/http://psrm.org:80/faqs/boilers/page6.html|archive-date=February 14, 2009|url-status=dead|date=September 6, 1999|title=Locomotive Boilers and Engines}}</ref> in 1868, and quickly proved to be a success leading to the creation of a second locomotive in 1869 named ''M. G. Bright.'' In 1886 ''Reuben Wells'' was shortened by 5 feet with the last pair of driving wheels removed and a new saddle tank placed atop of the boiler. She would continue pushing train cars up Madison Hill for twelve more years before she was retired in 1898. She stayed in reserve for another seven years before it was retired permanently and sent to [[Purdue University]] in 1905. Upon arriving at [[Purdue University]], she was rebuilt back to her original configuration of an 0-10-0T. In the years that followed the ''Reuben Wells'' was included in several exhibitions, including the [[1933 World's Fair|Chicago World's Fair]] in 1933–34 and the [[Chicago Railroad Fair]] in 1948–49. Afterward, she remained in Pennsylvania at [[Penn Central Transportation Company]] railroad yards. In 1968, the ''Reuben Wells'' was brought back to Indiana, where she was placed on permanent display at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.<ref name="Newseum">{{cite news|title=Most Powerful Locomotive Stationed Here|newspaper=The Children's Museum Newsletter|date=February 1982}}</ref> |
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===Acquisition=== |
===Acquisition=== |
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[[File:The Childrens Museum of Indianapolis - Reuben Wells steam locomotive.jpg|thumbnail|right|''Reuben Wells'' from the proper left]] |
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In 1966, Tom Billings, head of the Children's Museum advisory board, learned that the Reuben Wells was being kept in storage in Pennsylvania. On a vacation to Washington and Williamsburg, Billings decided to stop by to see the Reuben Wells. After he saw |
In 1966, Tom Billings, head of the Children's Museum advisory board, learned that the ''Reuben Wells'' was being kept in storage in Pennsylvania. On a vacation to Washington and Williamsburg, Billings decided to stop by to see the ''Reuben Wells''. After he saw her, he started trying to get the ''Reuben Wells'' to be permanently back in Indiana, specifically at the Children's Museum. Billings contacted Otto Frenzel, a member of the Pennsylvania Railroad board of directors, who disclosed that the railroad company was currently trying to find museums for its steam locomotives. At the time, the ''Reuben Wells'' was already promised to a museum in [[St. Louis]]. Advocates pointed out that the St. Louis museum was already getting several pieces, and St. Louis had no historical connection to the engine. The campaign was successful, and in May 1967, the Pennsylvania railroad president, Allen Greenough, announced that the ''Reuben Wells'' was coming to Indiana. She was shipped from Pennsylvania to Indiana on [[flatcar]]s.<ref name="Kriplen">{{cite book|author=Nancy Kriplen, Margaret M. Maxwell|editor=Margaret M. Maxwell|title=Keep An Eye on That Mummy|publisher=The Children's Museum of Indianapolis|location=Indianapolis, IN|date=1982|isbn=9780960898206}}</ref> |
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The Reuben Wells entered Indianapolis with much fanfare on June 11, 1968. A parade was organized to escort the |
The ''Reuben Wells'' entered Indianapolis with much fanfare on June 11, 1968. A parade was organized to escort the locomotive on the last leg of its journey, accompanied by the Central Indiana Council Boy Scout band and a motorcycle [[motorcade]]. The parade made its way down 38th Street and south on Meridian Street before turning into the Children's Museum. After successful fund-raising efforts from the Indiana Junior Historical Society and the Children's Museum Guild, the ''Reuben Wells'' was installed in a new [[train shed]] on the museum campus the next year. The train was moved into the new building in 1976, where it remains on view on the museum's lower level.<ref name="Kriplen"/> Originally acquired as a permanent loan, the Reuben Wells is now within the permanent collection of the Children's Museum. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[0-10-0]] |
*[[0-10-0]] |
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*[[John Bull (locomotive)]] |
*[[John Bull (locomotive)|''John Bull'' locomotive]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http:// |
*[http://digitallibrary.imcpl.org/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/tcm&CISOPTR=1637&REC=1 ''Reuben Wells'' in the Children's Museum Digital Collection Archive, IMCPL] |
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{{TCMIndy}} |
{{TCMIndy}} |
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| ⚫ | |||
[[Category:Individual locomotives of the United States]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1868]] |
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[[Category:The Children's Museum of Indianapolis]] |
[[Category:The Children's Museum of Indianapolis]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures]] |
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[[Category:Standard gauge locomotives of the United States]] |
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[[Category:Preserved steam locomotives of Indiana]] |
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Latest revision as of 01:30, 6 January 2024
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The Reuben Wells is a steam locomotive in the permanent collection of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis located in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Beginning in 1868, it operated for 30 years in Madison, Indiana, pushing train cars up the steepest "standard-gauge main-track grade"[1] in the United States.[2]
Description
[edit]The Reuben Wells is a helper locomotive that was built in 1868. It was designed to push train cars up the 5.89% incline of Madison Hill in Madison, Indiana, the steepest segment of 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge main-track in the United States.[1] Weighing 55 short tons (49 long tons; 50 t), it was the most powerful locomotive in the world at the time. It is 35 feet (10.67 m) long.[2][3] The locomotive is named after its designer, engineer Reuben Wells.[4]
Historical information
[edit]The Reuben Wells was made specifically for Madison Hill, Indiana, a 1.3-mile (2.1 km) long stretch of track that is known for having the steepest regular incline in the United States. The Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis Railroad tried many different methods to get train cars up the hill.[5] The couplers used to connect the train cars were not strong enough to withstand being pulled up the hill, making it necessary for the cars to be pushed.[6] Initially a team of horses was used to pull the train cars up the hill. Following this, a cogwheel system was in use for about twenty years. The Reuben Wells was the first steam engine to work the grade by adhesion alone, pushing the cars up the hill as well as supporting them on the descent starting in 1880.[6]
The Reuben Wells was completed in the railroad shops[7] in 1868, and quickly proved to be a success leading to the creation of a second locomotive in 1869 named M. G. Bright. In 1886 Reuben Wells was shortened by 5 feet with the last pair of driving wheels removed and a new saddle tank placed atop of the boiler. She would continue pushing train cars up Madison Hill for twelve more years before she was retired in 1898. She stayed in reserve for another seven years before it was retired permanently and sent to Purdue University in 1905. Upon arriving at Purdue University, she was rebuilt back to her original configuration of an 0-10-0T. In the years that followed the Reuben Wells was included in several exhibitions, including the Chicago World's Fair in 1933–34 and the Chicago Railroad Fair in 1948–49. Afterward, she remained in Pennsylvania at Penn Central Transportation Company railroad yards. In 1968, the Reuben Wells was brought back to Indiana, where she was placed on permanent display at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.[3]
Acquisition
[edit]
In 1966, Tom Billings, head of the Children's Museum advisory board, learned that the Reuben Wells was being kept in storage in Pennsylvania. On a vacation to Washington and Williamsburg, Billings decided to stop by to see the Reuben Wells. After he saw her, he started trying to get the Reuben Wells to be permanently back in Indiana, specifically at the Children's Museum. Billings contacted Otto Frenzel, a member of the Pennsylvania Railroad board of directors, who disclosed that the railroad company was currently trying to find museums for its steam locomotives. At the time, the Reuben Wells was already promised to a museum in St. Louis. Advocates pointed out that the St. Louis museum was already getting several pieces, and St. Louis had no historical connection to the engine. The campaign was successful, and in May 1967, the Pennsylvania railroad president, Allen Greenough, announced that the Reuben Wells was coming to Indiana. She was shipped from Pennsylvania to Indiana on flatcars.[1]
The Reuben Wells entered Indianapolis with much fanfare on June 11, 1968. A parade was organized to escort the locomotive on the last leg of its journey, accompanied by the Central Indiana Council Boy Scout band and a motorcycle motorcade. The parade made its way down 38th Street and south on Meridian Street before turning into the Children's Museum. After successful fund-raising efforts from the Indiana Junior Historical Society and the Children's Museum Guild, the Reuben Wells was installed in a new train shed on the museum campus the next year. The train was moved into the new building in 1976, where it remains on view on the museum's lower level.[1] Originally acquired as a permanent loan, the Reuben Wells is now within the permanent collection of the Children's Museum.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Nancy Kriplen, Margaret M. Maxwell (1982). Margaret M. Maxwell (ed.). Keep An Eye on That Mummy. Indianapolis, IN: The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. ISBN 9780960898206.
- ^ a b The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. "All Aboard!". Retrieved 26 February 2011.
- ^ a b "Most Powerful Locomotive Stationed Here". The Children's Museum Newsletter. February 1982.
- ^ "Old Reuben Wells Runs At Chicago". The Madison Courier. June 24, 1950.
- ^ "Reuben Wells: Famous Engine Starts New Career". Penn Central Post. August 1, 1968.
- ^ a b "All Aboard the Mighty Reuben Wells". The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
- ^ "Locomotive Boilers and Engines". San Diego Railroad Museum. September 6, 1999. Archived from the original on February 14, 2009.