Old Number 2 - Hutchinson, Kansas
Posted by: 
linkys
N 38° 02.601 W 097° 52.063
14S E 599354 N 4211230
Electric engine that worked above ground at the Hutchinson Salt Mine.
Waymark Code: WMEZXX
Location: Kansas, United States
Date Posted: 07/30/2012
Views: 8
"GE Engine No. 2, one of only three such engines ever built, is now on display outside the Kansas Underground Salt Museum. Built in 1919, the antique train ran along a short railway line from 1928 – 1963 that provided switching services for the Carey Evaporation Plant and Salt Mine.
The rail line was less than 6 miles, but was vital to the success of the Carey Salt Mine. In addition to providing switching services between the salt mine and the evaporation plant, it was also used by Champlin Oil Refinery, Detroiter Mobile Homes and the Kelly Mills companies.
Weighing 60,000 pounds, the locomotive was powered by a 260 horsepower overhead electric line. The engine was repaired several times during its operating years, as it sustained a few crashes." Source
Additional information is found on the gray granite maker that is located in front of where the engine is displayed. It reads in part:
Switch engine Number 2 was built by General
Electric in 1919. Only three like it were ever
built. Originally purchased from the Illinois
Electric Railway in 1928 by the Carey Salt Co.
It was placed in service by the H & N Railway.
"Old Number 2" was taken out of service in 1963
and sold for scrap to the Midwest Iron and Metal
Co. here in Hutchinson. In 1989 the metal company
donated the locomotive to the City of Hutchinson
for renovation and display. Out of the original
three engines built, the whereabouts of only
Number 2 and Number 1 are known. The restored
Number 1 is currently on display in Perris,
California.Visit Instructions:Waymark creators for this category are encouraged to create a visit verification question for visitors. See individual waymarks for specific logging criteria.
Photos of visits are encouraged but not required for this category.