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As the 1930s progressed, the CB&Q also purchased a fleet of [[diesel locomotive]]s from the [[Electro-Motive Diesel|Electro-Motive Corporation]] as the first locomotives to ever be built with [[Aerodynamics|aerodynamic]] [[Streamliner|streamlining]], and they were used to pull the CB&Q's newer trains that would be famously known as the ''Zephyrs''. However, sometimes, one of these units would suffer break down, and a conventional steam locomotive would have to take it's place, resulting in the train to be un-streamlined from the front end, and the train itself wouldn't go as fast as the Zephyrs were designed to go. In response to this, the CB&Q decided to streamline one of their own steam locomotives as a back-up power for their diesel units. And so in late 1936, No. 3002 was taken to the CB&Q's West Burlington shops to be completely rebuilt with the application of a new [[valve gear]] [[Locomotive frame|frame]], a middle Boxpok [[Driving wheel|driving axle]], [[Rolling-element bearing|lightweight roller bearing rod]]<nowiki/>s, roller bearing trailing bogies, and tender bogies. The locomotive also became the very first steam locomotive to be shrouded with [[stainless steel]] streamlining in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pictures of CBQ 4000|url=http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locopicture.aspx?id=72082|access-date=2021-09-08|website=www.rrpicturearchives.net}}</ref>
As the 1930s progressed, the CB&Q also purchased a fleet of [[diesel locomotive]]s from the [[Electro-Motive Diesel|Electro-Motive Corporation]] as the first locomotives to ever be built with [[Aerodynamics|aerodynamic]] [[Streamliner|streamlining]], and they were used to pull the CB&Q's newer trains that would be famously known as the ''Zephyrs''. However, sometimes, one of these units would suffer break down, and a conventional steam locomotive would have to take it's place, resulting in the train to be un-streamlined from the front end, and the train itself wouldn't go as fast as the Zephyrs were designed to go. In response to this, the CB&Q decided to streamline one of their own steam locomotives as a back-up power for their diesel units. And so in late 1936, No. 3002 was taken to the CB&Q's West Burlington shops to be completely rebuilt with the application of a new [[valve gear]] [[Locomotive frame|frame]], a middle Boxpok [[Driving wheel|driving axle]], [[Rolling-element bearing|lightweight roller bearing rod]]<nowiki/>s, roller bearing trailing bogies, and tender bogies. The locomotive also became the very first steam locomotive to be shrouded with [[stainless steel]] streamlining in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pictures of CBQ 4000|url=http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locopicture.aspx?id=72082|access-date=2021-09-08|website=www.rrpicturearchives.net}}</ref>
[[File:Aeolus at head of Denver Zephyr Otto Perry 1938.jpg|left|thumb|No. 4000 at the head of the ''[[Denver Zephyr]]'' train. Photo taken by Otto Perry on February 26, 1938.]]
[[File:Aeolus at head of Denver Zephyr Otto Perry 1938.jpg|left|thumb|No. 4000 at the head of the ''[[Denver Zephyr]]'' train. Photo taken by Otto Perry on February 26, 1938.]]
With these modifications increasing the locomotive's tractive effort to 47,700 pounds and top speed to over one hundred miles per hour, No. 3002 was reclassified as an S-4a, and it was renumbered to 4000. It was also given the official name ''Æolus'', being named after an ancient [[List of Greek mythological figures|Greek God]] [[Aeolus (Odyssey)|of the same name]], as the CB&Q was giving Greek names to most of their ''Zephyr'' locomotives. After rolling out of the shops in April 1937, No. 4000 was reassigned to the famous ''Zephyr'' trains for whenever a diesel unit wasn't available for use, such as the ''[[Denver Zephyr]]'', the ''[[Silver Streak Zephyr]]'', and the ''[[General Pershing Zephyr]]''. No. 4000 received a classmate in 1938 in the form of No. 4001, which was also an S-4a that was shrouded with the "shovel-nose" streamlining. Eventually, No. 4000 was also nicknamed after a [[Character (arts)|Popeye cartoon character]] "Big Alice the Goon", as a result of the locomotive's official name being similar to "Alice".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Richard Leonard's Random Steam Photo Collection -- Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 4-6-4 4000|url=https://www.railarchive.net/randomsteam/cbq4000b.htm|access-date=2021-09-08|website=www.railarchive.net}}</ref>
With these modifications increasing the locomotive's tractive effort to 47,700 pounds and top speed to over one hundred miles per hour, No. 3002 was reclassified as an S-4a, and it was renumbered to 4000. It was also given the official name ''Æolus'', being named after an ancient [[List of Greek mythological figures|Greek God]] [[Aeolus (Odyssey)|of the same name]], as the CB&Q was giving Greek names to most of their ''Zephyr'' locomotives. After rolling out of the shops in April 1937, No. 4000 was reassigned to the famous ''Zephyr'' trains for whenever a diesel unit wasn't available for use, such as the ''[[Denver Zephyr]]'', the ''[[Silver Streak Zephyr]]'', and the ''[[General Pershing Zephyr]]''. No. 4000 received a classmate in 1938 in the form of No. 4001, which was also an S-4a that was shrouded with the "shovel-nose" streamlining. Eventually, No. 4000 was also nicknamed after a [[Character (arts)|Popeye cartoon character]] "Big Alice the Goon", as a result of the locomotive's official name having a slight resemblance to "Alice".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Richard Leonard's Random Steam Photo Collection -- Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 4-6-4 4000|url=https://www.railarchive.net/randomsteam/cbq4000b.htm|access-date=2021-09-08|website=www.railarchive.net}}</ref>


After [[World War II]] broke out, Nos 4000 and 4001's streamlining were removed and [[scrap]]<nowiki/>ped in 1942,<ref>{{Citation|last=Zeiler|first=Chuck|title=CB&Q 4-6-4 Class S-4-A 4000 AEOLUS|date=1938-02-26|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/chuckzeiler/17680514459/|access-date=2021-09-08}}</ref> as the CB&Q was contributing to the war time effort by scrapping most of their unnecessary equipment for the war's [[Steel mill|steel drive]], and No. 4000 was also reassigned again to pull heavier trains that would carry [[Soldier|military soldiers]] the [[East Coast of the United States|Atlantic coast]] and the [[West Coast of the United States|Pacific coast]]. Once the war was over, ''Æolus'' was reassigned to pull the same trains it pulled before it became streamlined back in 1937. This wouldn't last as long, however, since by the beginning of the 1950s, diesel locomotives have taken over the CB&Q's high priority assignments, and No. 4000 was again reassigned to secondary passenger service, and eventually, [[Rail freight transport|freight]] and [[Travelling Post Office|mail]] services.<ref>{{Citation|title=CB&Q Class S-4-A 4000|date=1956-07-01|url=http://archive.org/details/cbq4000-1|access-date=2021-09-08}}</ref>
After [[World War II]] broke out, Nos 4000 and 4001's streamlining were removed and [[scrap]]<nowiki/>ped in 1942,<ref>{{Citation|last=Zeiler|first=Chuck|title=CB&Q 4-6-4 Class S-4-A 4000 AEOLUS|date=1938-02-26|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/chuckzeiler/17680514459/|access-date=2021-09-08}}</ref> as the CB&Q was contributing to the war time effort by scrapping most of their unnecessary equipment for the war's [[Steel mill|steel drive]], and No. 4000 was also reassigned again to pull heavier trains that would carry [[Soldier|military soldiers]] the [[East Coast of the United States|Atlantic coast]] and the [[West Coast of the United States|Pacific coast]]. Once the war was over, ''Æolus'' was reassigned to pull the same trains it pulled before it became streamlined back in 1937. This wouldn't last as long, however, since by the beginning of the 1950s, diesel locomotives have taken over the CB&Q's high priority assignments, and No. 4000 was again reassigned to secondary passenger service, and eventually, [[Rail freight transport|freight]] and [[Travelling Post Office|mail]] services.<ref>{{Citation|title=CB&Q Class S-4-A 4000|date=1956-07-01|url=http://archive.org/details/cbq4000-1|access-date=2021-09-08}}</ref>

Revision as of 07:21, 10 September 2021

Chicago, Burlington and Quincy 4000
No. 4000 shortly after it was rebuilt with streamlining in 1937
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderBaldwin Locomotive Works
Serial number61500
Build dateOctober 1930
RebuilderChicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad
Rebuild dateApril 1937
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-6-4
 • UIC2'C2'
Driver dia.78 in (2,000 mm)
Wheelbase82.23 ft (25.06 m) ​
 • Engine39.92 ft (12.17 m)
 • Drivers13.67 ft (4.17 m)
Axle load69,780 lb (31,650 kg)
Adhesive weight207,730 lb (94,220 kg)
Loco weight391,880 lb (177,750 kg)
Tender weight326,050 lb (147,890 kg)
Total weight717,930 lb (325,650 kg)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity24 t (24 long tons; 26 short tons)
Water cap.15,000 US gal (57,000 L; 12,000 imp gal)
Firebox:​
 • Grate area87.90 sq ft (8.166 m2)
Boiler pressure250 psi (1,700 kPa)
Feedwater heaterElesco
Heating surface:​
 • Firebox369 sq ft (34.3 m2)
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size25 in × 28 in (640 mm × 710 mm)
Valve gearBaker
Performance figures
Maximum speed105 mph (169 km/h)
Tractive effort47,676 lb (21,625 kg) (Pre-1937)
47,700 lb (21,600 kg) (Post-1937)
Factor of adh.4.36
Career
OperatorsChicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad
ClassS-4 (Pre-1937)
S-4a (Post-1937)
NumbersCB&Q 3002
CB&Q 4000
Official nameÆolus
NicknamesBig Alice of Goon
RetiredSeptember 1956
Current owner4000 Foundation, Ltd
DispositionOn outdoor static display, based in La Crosse, Wisconsin

Chicago, Burlington and Quincy No. 4000, also known as Æolus, is a preserved S-4a class 4-6-4 "Hudson" steam locomotive that was originally built by Baldwin in 1930 as S-4 locomotive No. 3002. It was primarily used to pull fast passenger trains before it was rebuilt by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad in 1937 to be re-classified as an S-4a with Streamlining, and it was renumbered 4000 in the process. The streamlining was removed during World War II, and the locomotive was later downgraded to secondary passenger and mail service. In 1956, No. 4000 pulled an excursion train between Galesburg and Aurora, Illinois for the Illinois Railroad Club before it was retired altogether. The locomotive was donated to the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1963, and it remains on static display in Copeland Park, as of 2021.

History

Revenue service

In the late 1920s, the 4-6-4 "Hudson" type was starting to make a big impact on steam-powered passenger train travel. Between 1930 and 1935, the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (CB&Q) ordered a total of twelve S-4 class 4-6-4s from the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as well as one from their own West Burlington, Iowa shops, and they were numbered 3000–3012.[1] No. 4000 was numbered 3002 at the time,[2] being the third locomotive of the class, and it was designed to pull the CB&Q's premier passenger trains across the road's system, such as the Chicago Limited between Chicago, Illinois and Denver, Colorado, and the American Royal between Chicago and Kansas City, Missouri.

As the 1930s progressed, the CB&Q also purchased a fleet of diesel locomotives from the Electro-Motive Corporation as the first locomotives to ever be built with aerodynamic streamlining, and they were used to pull the CB&Q's newer trains that would be famously known as the Zephyrs. However, sometimes, one of these units would suffer break down, and a conventional steam locomotive would have to take it's place, resulting in the train to be un-streamlined from the front end, and the train itself wouldn't go as fast as the Zephyrs were designed to go. In response to this, the CB&Q decided to streamline one of their own steam locomotives as a back-up power for their diesel units. And so in late 1936, No. 3002 was taken to the CB&Q's West Burlington shops to be completely rebuilt with the application of a new valve gear frame, a middle Boxpok driving axle, lightweight roller bearing rods, roller bearing trailing bogies, and tender bogies. The locomotive also became the very first steam locomotive to be shrouded with stainless steel streamlining in the United States.[3]

No. 4000 at the head of the Denver Zephyr train. Photo taken by Otto Perry on February 26, 1938.

With these modifications increasing the locomotive's tractive effort to 47,700 pounds and top speed to over one hundred miles per hour, No. 3002 was reclassified as an S-4a, and it was renumbered to 4000. It was also given the official name Æolus, being named after an ancient Greek God of the same name, as the CB&Q was giving Greek names to most of their Zephyr locomotives. After rolling out of the shops in April 1937, No. 4000 was reassigned to the famous Zephyr trains for whenever a diesel unit wasn't available for use, such as the Denver Zephyr, the Silver Streak Zephyr, and the General Pershing Zephyr. No. 4000 received a classmate in 1938 in the form of No. 4001, which was also an S-4a that was shrouded with the "shovel-nose" streamlining. Eventually, No. 4000 was also nicknamed after a Popeye cartoon character "Big Alice the Goon", as a result of the locomotive's official name having a slight resemblance to "Alice".[4]

After World War II broke out, Nos 4000 and 4001's streamlining were removed and scrapped in 1942,[5] as the CB&Q was contributing to the war time effort by scrapping most of their unnecessary equipment for the war's steel drive, and No. 4000 was also reassigned again to pull heavier trains that would carry military soldiers the Atlantic coast and the Pacific coast. Once the war was over, Æolus was reassigned to pull the same trains it pulled before it became streamlined back in 1937. This wouldn't last as long, however, since by the beginning of the 1950s, diesel locomotives have taken over the CB&Q's high priority assignments, and No. 4000 was again reassigned to secondary passenger service, and eventually, freight and mail services.[6]

Excursion run and preservation

In late 1956, the Illinois Railroad Club sponsored an excursion train that would run between Aurora and Galesburg, Illinois on Labor Day weekend.[7][8] The two locomotives selected for this trip were No. 4000 and 4-6-0 No. 637.[9] Once the fan trip was over,[10] Æolus' fire was dropped for the final time. With the success of the first fan trip, the CB&Q's president, Harry C. Murphy, eventually decided to start a steam excursion program. Despite taking part in the 1956 fan trip, however, No. 4000 was never brought back under steam for the program, which was mostly hosted by 2-8-2 No. 4960 and 4-8-4 No. 5632. Instead, No. 4000 spent six years sitting idle in Galesburg[11] before receiving cosmetic repaint. With the desire to preserve pieces of railroad history, a group of people in La Crosse, Wisconsin that were railroaders and enthusiasts organized and founded The La Crosse Short Line Railroad Company.[12] They requested the CB&Q to donate Æolus to the city of La Crosse for static display in Copeland Park, a stadium park that takes place in North La Crosse.[13] After a two-year fundraising campaign, the locomotive was placed on display at Copeland Park along with a Milwaukee Road caboose on August 19, 1963.

Ever since then, the last remaining S-4a has remained outdoors, being exposed to the elements.[14][15] Throughout the 1990s, a group of volunteers gathered to cosmetically refurbish the locomotive to make it look as good as it did during its revenue career. As of 2021, No. 4000 remains in Copeland Park with its headlights missing,[16] but the locomotive has been carefully taken care of by a nonprofit group called the 4000 Foundation.[17] Every once in a while, the foundation would host special events that would take place around No. 4000's display site.[18] Although there is no future for the locomotive to operate again on the horizon, Æolus is in good enough condition to be restorable.

Historical significance

No. 4000 remains the most advanced surviving example of the CB&Q's 4-6-4 locomotives. It is also one of very few remaining steam locomotives in the United States that is officially named. The locomotive is also one of only five preserved American steam locomotives that were streamlined at least once, the only others being Chesapeake and Ohio No. 490, Norfolk and Western No. 611, Southern Pacific No. 4449, and Southern Pacific No. 4460.

No. 4000 was one of the very last steam locomotives to regularly operate for the CB&Q.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 4-6-4 "Hudson" Locomotives in the USA". www.steamlocomotive.com. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  2. ^ "OP-4274". digital.denverlibrary.org. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  3. ^ "Pictures of CBQ 4000". www.rrpicturearchives.net. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  4. ^ "Richard Leonard's Random Steam Photo Collection -- Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 4-6-4 4000". www.railarchive.net. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  5. ^ Zeiler, Chuck (1938-02-26), CB&Q 4-6-4 Class S-4-A 4000 AEOLUS, retrieved 2021-09-08
  6. ^ CB&Q Class S-4-A 4000, 1956-07-01, retrieved 2021-09-08
  7. ^ "RailPictures.Net Photo: CB&Q 4000 Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad Steam 4-6-4 at Aurora, Illinois by Juice Junkie". www.railpictures.net. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  8. ^ "RailPictures.Net Photo: 4000 Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad Steam 4-6-4 at Aurora, Illinois by Juice Junkie". www.railpictures.net. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  9. ^ Steam Glory of the CB&Q Railroad, retrieved 2021-09-08
  10. ^ "RailPictures.Net Photo: 637 Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad Steam 4-6-0 at Aurora, Illinois by Juice Junkie". www.railpictures.net. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  11. ^ "Richard Leonard's Random Steam Photo Collection -- Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 4-6-4 4000". www.railarchive.net. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  12. ^ "4000 Foundation, LTD". Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  13. ^ "CBQ S-4A #4000 - www.rgusrail.com". www.rgusrail.com. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  14. ^ "Hometown Icon: Copeland locomotive". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  15. ^ "CB&Q 4-6-4 Hudson Steam Locomotive". LandmarkHunter.com. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  16. ^ Unknown (2014-09-07). "Dave's Depots -- Al's Annex or Was This the MILW in Wisconsin (almost)?". Hicks Car Works. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  17. ^ "Steam - CB&Q". www.trainweb.org. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  18. ^ "Log In or Sign Up to View". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
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