Article from "Engineers and Engines", July 1960

Myron B. Phipps, Executive Vice President, Nickel Plate Road, and mascot. (Photos by Leo Clark)

Dedication Day November 1, 1959 2:30 P.M.   Speaker: Myron B. Phipps

Switch crew, Bloomington, Illinois, Nickel Plate Road. Left to right: E.A. Garber, switch foreman; P.F. Roberts, fireman;
M.M. Engle, engineer; H.R. Watson, switchman; O.R. Miller, switchman; and J.F. Waldron, switchman.

In presenting a retired steam locomotive to the City of Bloomington today, Myron B. Phipps, executive vice president of the Nickel Plate Road, said that as the railroads continue to progress, "some day we may return here to dedicate an out-moded diesel locomotive as another milepost in the railroads' development."

Nickel Plate Engine No. 639 was accepted by Mayor Bob McGraw and will be displayed permanently at the city's Miller Park.

Mr. Phipps labeled the locomotive, which traveled over 2 1/4 million miles during her active days, as a symbol of a great age in our country's history. He said, "prior to the railroads, transportation was somewhat of a luxury. The railroads with their ability to carry large quantities of goods at low cost brought vast economies. Soon the most common necessities moved by rail to settlers throughout the country."

He recalled that Bloomington grew up with the railroads, and the growth and development of central Illinois were powered by the Iron Horse. The railroads made available markets throughout the country for farm products, and later funneled raw materials here so manufacturing plants could spring up. The railroads also made possible distribution of the finished products throughout the nation and the world.

The railroad executive said that since World War II, the American railroads have invested more than $14 billion in new equipment and facilities. "The most remarkable change - and one which has been important in enabling railroads to help keep shipping costs down - has been the transition from steam to diesel power," he said.

Other improvements he mentioned included the adaptation of radio and television railroad operations, the development of new machines which have cut the time required to repair and maintain track and roadbed; the wide use of centralized traffic control to increase electronic yards for classifying freight cars and the spread of piggy-back service.

"Dozens of other developments presently are on the drawing boards," Mr. Phipps said. He estimated that the railroads would spend at least another $14 billion in the next decade to streamline their plant and services.

He pointed out that the railroads are today's most efficient mode of transportation. "We move about half of all intercity freight ton-miles and use only one-tenth the fuel required by all other forms to move the other half. Railroads need only 1/13th the manpower of trucks to move the same amount of intercity freight. And the railroads can transport as many people over two tracks as can be moved over 40 two-lane highways," the Nickel Plate official said.

Nickel Plate Engine No. 639, the steam locomotive which is being presented by the railroad to the City of Bloomington, Illinois for permanent display at Miller park, traveled the equivalent of 90 trips around the world during her working days.

The locomotive will serve as a civic memorial to the "iron horse" which played a major role in the growth and development of the U.S.

Built in 1923 by the Lima Locomotive Works at Lima, Ohio, Engine No. 639 is a freight locomotive of the Mikado type. During her long career, she was a frequent visitor to Bloomington as the engine often operated on Nickel Plate's Peoria Division between Frankfort, Ind., and Peoria, Illinois.

She was retired early in 1958, shortly before the Nickel Plate became fully dieselized. When in active service she traveled about 65,000 miles a year. Altogether the locomotive operated about 2,250,000 miles equal to 800 trips from coast to coast.

Engine No. 639 is a "veteran" of both World War II and the Korean War. During these periods she powered countless freight trains carrying munitions, foodstuffs and other items contributing to the war effort.

The Mikado-type locomotive is distinguished by its 2-8-2 wheel arrangement. She has two small wheels in front, eight large driving wheels and two small trailing wheels. Her drive wheels are 63 inches in diameter, and her cylinders are 26 inches in diameter with a 30-inch stroke. On Nickel Plate's roster, the engine is listed in Class H-6e.

The engine operated at a steam pressure of 200 pounds. She has a cylinder horsepower of 2,434 and tractive effort of 54,700 pounds. In working order the locomotive weighed 306,300 pounds. The engine is equipped with a tender having a capacity of 16,500 gallons of water and 19 tons of coal. The weight of the locomotive and tender, in working order, is 573,000 pounds or more than 286 tons.

"639" Bloomington's "First Citizen"