William Crooks

Infobox Locomotive
name="William Crooks"
powertype=Steam

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caption="William Crooks" at the New York World's Fair, July 23 1940
builddate=1861
firstrundate=1862
railroad=St. Paul and Pacific Railroad
whytetype=4-4-0
gauge=4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm)
disposition=static display at Lake Superior Railroad Museum

The locomotive "William Crooks" was the first locomotive to operate in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Constructed in 1861, it first provided service a year later in 1862 for the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, a company that eventually became part of the Great Northern Railway. James J. Hill had the locomotive pull his personal train. It is reported that he was responsible for saving it from the scrap heap when engines of its vintage were being replaced by faster and more powerful vehicles. The classic 4-4-0 is one of the only locomotives from the age of the American Civil War to survive to the present day.

"William Crooks" was displayed at the 1939 New York World's Fair and again at the Chicago Railroad Fair in 1948 where it was operated as part of the "Wheels A-Rolling" pageant. It was displayed for some time at the Saint Paul Union Depot, but currently resides at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, Minnesota. It is a Registered Historic Place, reference number 74002403.

References

* Chicago Railroad Fair Official Guide Book (1949).