Return Of The Iron Horse - Southern 401

Southern 401 Taking On Water

The days of the iron horse have returned to the Monticello Railway Museum in downstate Illinois.  Southern 401, a 2-8-0 steam engine, has returned to the rails after a restoration project that lasted more than a decade.

Flag Reflects On The Cab Of SOU 401

 Southern 401 was built by Baldwin in December 1907.  At 82 tons, it has a wheel arrangement of four pairs of driving wheels and two wheel leading "truck".

Southern 401 Crossing Camp Creek

 The Monticello Railway Museum purchased 401 in 1967 from Alabama Asphaltic Limestone, in Margerum, Alabama.

In January 1968, it was transported on a flat car from Alabama to Decatur, Illinois where it was placed in storage.  In October 1971, it was towed on its own wheels from Decatur to the museum in Monticello where it was placed on display until 1995.

Engineer Jeff Prepares To Move 401 At The Engine House

It was in 1995 that a donor suggested restoring a steam engine at the museum.  Southern 401 was chosen and the long restoration process began a short time later.

Thousands of man hours were put into the restoration process.  Southern 401 finally began operating under its own power in September 2010 for the first time in 50 years.

The dedication weekend September 18-19, 2010 marked the return of this mighty locomotive to active service.

Southern 401 At The Wabash Depot

 Southern Railway began operations in 1894.  In 1982, it merged with Norfolk & Western creating Norfolk Southern.

Conductor Brinkman Inspects 401

The Monticello Railway Museum is a not-for-profit organization.  

It is located in Illinois on Interstate 72 between Decatur and Champaign.  The museum phone number is 217-762-9011.

Southern 401

Written & Photographed By, Doug Wolfe.