While this scene includes human spectators in the left background, the photographer has positioned the camera so that the two handcars in the right foreground also appear to be observing the fallen steam engine. The derailed and toppled locomotive bears the name plaque 2040 on the front of the engine. One of the derailed cars in the background is painted with the initials CRI&P of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. A rail-mounted crane is in the process of lifting the tender...
more »

While this scene includes human spectators in the left background, the photographer has positioned the camera so that the two handcars in the right foreground also appear to be observing the fallen steam engine. The derailed and toppled locomotive bears the name plaque 2040 on the front of the engine. One of the derailed cars in the background is painted with the initials CRI&P of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. A rail-mounted crane is in the process of lifting the tender away from its wrecked locomotive. Rock Island Railroad built its line through Lincoln in 1892, the last of several railroads to add service to Lincoln. Abandoned in the 1970s, the Rock Island right-of-way is now one of several bicycle trails through the city.
« less