The 2500 Steam Engine’s final resting place is located at Fairview Park in Centralia, Illinois. This locomotive represents the rich train history in our area, as well as the honest labor and community effort required to build our great town.

Jim Adams was instrumental in saving the 2500 engine. Typically, these steam engines were scrapped after they retired due to the rise of diesel engines. With Jim’s efforts, and many of donations from local businesses and organizations, Centralia secured the engine from Illinois Railroad under two conditions:

1. The group formed to preserve the engine would pay all of the costs to move it

2. A trust fund would be established for the perpetual care of the locomotive

The train was placed in the park on September 8, 1962.