By: JUSTIN FRANZ
ABILENE - A General Electric 44-tonner that once worked for the U.S. Army has been restored at Kansas’ Abilene & Smoky Valley and named in honor of Abilene’s most famous resident, former President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The locomotive was dedicated last month during the anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Europe (Eisenhower was the Supreme Commander of Allied forces during World War II). The 44-tonner, dubbed “Ike,” was built in 1940 for the Arkansas Valley Interurban Railway.
Two years later, that line was shut down, and the locomotive was acquired by the U.S. Army for use on a base in California. It worked there until 1969, when it was put into storage in Utah. Later, it ended up at a cement plant in Nebraska, where it operated into the 1990s. It was then purchased by a private individual and brought to Kansas. It was used on the A&SV for a few years before being placed into storage again.
A few years ago, the railroad began looking for a new locomotive and turned to the 44-tonner. Working with the mechanical staff of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, A&SV was able to put the 44-tonner back into service this year.
The engine has been painted in maroon and gold, a color scheme adopted two years ago to represent the A&SV’s Rock Island Railroad heritage. The engine is numbered 34 to honor Dwight Eisenhower’s status as the 34th President, and “I Like Ike” campaign button decals are featured on the cab doors.
“I’m happy to see that after 30 years on the property here, it’s in good running condition with fresh paint. It really looks great. And I think it’s going to be a credit and of great value to the museum and the Abilene and Smoky Valley,” said A&SV Founder Joe Minick.