By TOM WILSON
The Register-Mail <http://galesburg.com>
Posted Dec 04, 2009 @ 10:26 PM
Last update Dec 04, 2009 @ 10:42 PM
Dec. 7, 1854, was the beginning of an era of prosperity for residents
of Galesburg. On that historic date the first train engine, called the
"Reindeer," pulled into Galesburg with engineer Chandler in the cab.
Reporter C.J. Sellon of the Galesburg Free Democrat newspaper wrote, "As
I stood there, looking up the track in the distance the approaching
locomotive looked to me like a bumble bee with a long feather sticking
in its hat." The inaugural run by the Reindeer into Galesburg marked the
birth of one of the largest railroad systems in the country known as the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy.
Shortly before Christmas in 1854 the first passenger train in charge of
Conductor Phinney pulled into Galesburg. Phinney shared that, "As I
arrived it was evident that the people of Galesburg were the craziest
set of human beings I ever saw. In spite of all I could do I couldn't
keep them from running through my train."
As railroading grew it became a science as much as chemistry, medicine
or botany. Specialization in railroading followed the same lines as any
other early business. Eventually engines pulling the trains weighed
between 25 and 30 tons. Early engines were given unique names such as
Reindeer, Hurricane, Tornado, Antelope, Pigeon, Lion, Starlight,
Stranger, Little Indian and Invisible. Wood was burned as fuel.
The advent of railroading in Galesburg was followed by towns springing
up along the lines and the emergence of factories, educational
institutions, churches and benevolent societies. No doubt the coming of
the Reindeer to Galesburg in December 1854 set the table for the growth
of the area and they have not missed a beat since.
Freight trains increase speed
When Santa Fe and Burlington freight trains moved in and out of
Galesburg in November 1941 they traveled a bit faster than in 1920. In
1920 the average speed was 11.5 mph; that increased to 16.7 mph in the
20-year span.
In 1940 both railroads were carrying fruit shipments from the Pacific
Coast and speed became a necessity. Runs between Galesburg and Chicago
via freight trains were nearly equal those of passenger trains.
John Sheridan
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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