The Lynnville Railroad Museum is built around our 1927 "Prairie type" 2-6-2 Baldwin Steam Locomotive, acquired in 1997. This 97 ton Iron Horse was one of 8 identical locomotives built in Lima, Ohio in the 20's. Boiler 59760, built in 27' was one of 2 identical engines built for the St. Louis & O'Fallon Railroad to haul coal and ore from area mines to St. Louis Steel Mills.
The original builders plate appears on the smoke box for special occasions, and replica aluminum castings are in the process of being made! The original front number plate (right) paid a special visit to the museum! The original # 8 was ground off by the railroad when the engine was re-numbered but that was normal for the day! Efforts are underway to recast this plate with the correct 8 back on it!
The current Lynnville Railroad depot, replicated after the original depot was torn down (when passenger rail service ended), and used to build a barn by the man who did the tear down. The platform appears to be busy as hand dollies and freight carts are scattered around the depot. One of the original carts was located in a barn and donated back to the depot for display.
Inside the depot, a telegraph operator waits for the next train, passenger, or perhaps a shipment from the nearby "Milky Way Farms."
At right is a scale model created by Robert F. Wilson. A 2-ton working model that took 25 years to complete. Many thanks to the family for loaning us this display!
Also located inside the museum is a HO scale model of the quaint countryside and what Lynnville may have looked like sometime in the early 30's. Among the display cases are many authentic railroad tools, and items donated by area residents and enthusiasts.
