The steam storage locomotive does not figure prominently in the colorful
literature of railroading. Confined to the modest task of shunting
miscellaneous cars about remote factory yards, there was no Casey Jones
to give it romance. Nor was there a lusty fireman or a wandering hobo to
immortalize it in song. It is known that an obscure “Toonerville” type
of road near New Orleans employed a fireless engine as early as
1835—recharging at each end of the track. Also, a number of fireless
engines were used around paper mills and munitions factories, where
sparks from conventional engines could have led to fire and cataclysm.
[Illustration: The South Park, sister engine of the Rubicon, edges
up to the NCR powerhouse. The photograph is undated, but the gleam
of the engine indicates that it hadn’t seen too many years of
service.]
The Rubicon is one of the last of its breed—perhaps even the last of its
particular design. But sporting new black paint and fresh gold
lettering, it has found a measure of immortality—albeit without
balladry—at Carillon Park, among other relics of America’s industrial
past.
[Illustration: After the Rubicon’s retirement, workmen began
refurbishing it for the Carillon Park historical collection. Here
they are seen removing half a century’s accumulation of paint.]
[Illustration: The Rubicon is shown as it traveled the last few feet
of its long career. It was moved into its permanent Carillon Park
home on July 16, 1962.]
[Illustration: On August 20, 1962, the Engine House at Carillon Park
was opened with informal ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Shown above are
several of the guests inspecting the refurbished locomotive.]
CARILLON PARK
DAYTON, OHIO
One of a series of Carillon Park booklets.
Price ten cents.