Diverging Clear Productions was on hand when a newly restored steam locomotive made her debut in September, 2010; former Southern Railway 2-8-0 #401 at the Monticello Railway Museum in Monticello, Illinois.
#401 was built by Baldwin in 1907, and even when new was not one of the largest locomotives on the roster. This smaller stature actually helped her survive, as her size kept her in operation on the Southern into 1949 on secondary lines. She was sold to an industrial operator after retirement, and was purchased by the museum in 1967. Years out in the elements had taken and continued to take their toll on the locomotive, but a donor stepped forward to get restoration of the locomotive underway in 1995.
The restoration of #401 was an extensive, and expensive, fifteen year endeavor. Several major parts needed to be replaced in their entireties; including the boiler, cab and tender body. Upon completion of the restoration, the locomotive was largely new above the frame.
The restoration wrapped up in the late summer of 2010, and volunteers worked tirelessly to get her tested and certified in time for a grand unveiling during the museum’s Railroad Days. Work was finished just in time, and the F.R.A. issued the locomotive’s certification about a week before the event.
We were on hand for the entire weekend, filming an unpublicized special for museum members on Friday, September 17. Before the special, the locomotive made a short run for the camera that we documented with three cameras aboard the locomotive. The sunny skies Friday afternoon provided the best light we had all weekend.
On Saturday we filmed the first public train to be pulled by #401, and filmed her switching with former Illinois Central GP11 #8733 after the unveiling ceremony. For the rest of the weekend we crunched the ballast from one end of the museum’s line to the other, filming #401 at most of the best locations between the museum and downtown Monticello.
#401 put on a great show all weekend. She looked great, and her Southern Railway three chime whistle sounded great as well. She even got a chance to work, with plenty of stack talk as she climbed the grade north of town.
We got it all on film, and it is all here for you to enjoy.
