Reuben Wells (steam locomotive)
| Description: |
Reuben Wells, master mechanic, designed his namesake. It was built in the railroad shops at Jeffersonville, Indiana, under his supervision and placed in service in 1868. It was, at the time, the most powerful engine in the world. It was built to pull the steepest incline in the world for a distance of just over 7000 feet. It did this without the aid of cogs and rack rail. After a life of hard and reliable sevice the engine was presented to Purdue University for preservation. Purdue returned it to the railroad in 1940 when it was sent to the Altoona works for reconditioning. It now resides at the Childrens Museum in Indianapolis. Photograph taken circa 1885 |
|---|---|
| Origin: | 1885 |
| Source: |
http://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p4038coll5/id/291 |
| Collection: |
River to Rail and Lemen Collection |
| Copyright: |
Permission to reproduce this image for other than personal use must be requested from the Director of the Madison-Jefferson County Public Library. Please contact at 420 W. Main St., Madison, IN 47250 (812) 265-2744. |
| Subjects: |
Railroad locomotives Wells, Reuben Railroad employees Railroads |
Further information on this record can be found at its source.
This project is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Indiana State Library.