The Illinois Central eventually owned the third largest roster of Mikados in the US, after 1,342 on the New York Central System and 669 on the B&O. The first 50 delivered in 1911 were built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA. Another 357 had been delivered by 1923, when the last 110 Class 1908 were built by Baldwin, Alco and Lima (#1908-#2017).
The 517 locomotives were built to a very similar specification, although with some variations in, for example, superheating and driver diameter. Over one-third of the IC's roster comprised Mikados, and they remained on the roster until 1960 by which time diesel had taken over and only #1518 remained.
#1518 was built as #1932 by Lima and was renumbered #1420 in 1940 and #1518 in 1951. The locomotive served mainly hauling coal between Central City and Paducah, KY.
It is considered to have been the last steam locomotive to operate on the Illinois Central.
#1518 weighs 298,000 lbs, 230,000 lbs on its 64" drivers. The driver wheelbase is 16' 6" and the engine wheelbase 35' 2". A coal burner, it has a 70.4 sq ft grate and 307.2 sq ft firebox, including 15.8 sq ft of arch tubes and 64 sq ft of Nicholson thermic syphons. It has Baker valve gear and the cylinders are 27" x 30". The piston valve had a 15" diameter.
Operating at a boiler pressure of 225 psi with a total heating surface of 5,192 sq ft including 1,099 sq ft superheating, the engine delivered 65,354 lbs tractive effort.
Above, the levers under the cab apron actuate the grate shakers. Middle left, the draw bar and automatic stoker feed pipe.
The tender weighs 169,900 lbs fully loaded with a capacity of 15 tons of coal and 9,000 gallons of water.
In 1964, the locomotive was donated to the City of Paducah. It is on display along the Tennessee River floodwall on S Waters St.
Also on display with the locomotive is an unnumbered Illinois Central combination baggage/mail car.
The caboose is a wood 30' non-cupola transfer type. It was built in 1951 from an earlier caboose and was originally numbered Illinois Central #8112.
At some point the caboose was repainted and the number changed to #8045.