Thursday, July 24, 2008

Chicago Gravel Company # 18 at sunset. Bensenville Illinois USA. July 2008.

Chicago Gravel Company # 18 at sunset. Bensenville Illinois. July 2008.

The sun set on the steam era decades ago here in North America and other parts of the world We live in, but a few vintage examples stand vigil on display in city parks and museums today. Chicago Gravel Company # 18, is an ALCO -American Locomotive Company 6 wheel 0-6-0 type steam switching locomotive built in 1922.
It was originally the plant switcher for the Studebaker Automobile Factory in South Bend Indiana. Many years later when Studebaker decided that they no longer needed steam locomotive #18, they sold it second hand to the Chicago Gravel Company, to switch their quarry in South Elgin Illinois. Chicago Gravel Company cosmetically restored # 18 after retirement, and donated it to the city of Bensenville Illinois in 1961. It has been on display here at Bensenville's Veteran's Park since then.
This display at Veteran's Park, is located just east of the intersection at Main Street and Church Road in Bensenville Illinois.

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