Chicago History Museum: The Pioneer

Pioneer was the first locomotive to operate in Chicago, IL. It was built in 1837 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Utica and Schenectady Railroad in New York, then purchased by William B. Ogden for the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad (the oldest predecessor of the Chicago and North Western Railway) and pulled the first train westbound out of Chicago on October 25, 1848.

When the locomotive was built in 1837, the Utica and Schenectady Railroad gave it the name "Alert". It worked on the U&S for nine years before it was sold to the Michigan Central Railroad. Michigan Central added a cab and tender to the locomotive and used it for two years before selling it again in 1848 to the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad. The G&CU renamed the locomotive "Pioneer" and used it in the construction of the G&CU until 1850, at which time the locomotive was loned to the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad for work in and around Chicago.

The locomotive has been preserved and is on static display at the Chicago History Museum.
The tender that was used behind the locomotive is located in Villa Park, IL. Date: 04/07/08.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• CNW
• U&S
• MC
• G&CU
• CB&Q
• BLW
• Chicago
• History
• Museum
• Steam
• Locomotive
• Pioneer

[Pup1234567]

Ha dude i live in the western suburbs of chicago. been there, done that lol. u should go to the museum of science and industry. they got a huge ass HO layout of the BNSF chicago-seattle route, plus they got the original Burlington Route Pioneer Zephyr. its by far my favorite museum in chicago

[2GUNBOY]

I've been there before; three times.

I took some photos of the Pioneer Zephyr.

[Pup1234567]

o. my bad lol. its pretty sweet tho aint it?

[2GUNBOY]

Absolutely!!! I really wish they would get it running again.

[mrspacecase]

Great shots both inside & out. Doubt they could get it running again, but there is a man in Elgin who built a 4-4-0 American and occasionally runs it on a mainline. That would be a sight to see!

[KMRagan]

Zac, great video. What an awesome looking old train.  I didn't even know they had trains in 1837!! Looks like a great museum!