The Great Allen Steam Locomotive

Allen Heritage Guild is proud to welcome #20 steam locomotive to Allen, TX. The arrival of the locomotive culminates a vision long held by the Allen Heritage Guild and in particular Ken Byler, Jim Rushing, and Ed Bryan. The presence of the steam locomotive represents Allen’s railroad heritage with the coming of the Houston and Texas Central RR in 1874. The Guild extends a huge ‘thank you’ to the City of Allen, the Community Development Corporation, and Brian Bristow, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director for making this happen.

This 1910 locomotive was built by the American Locomotive Company for the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad where it hauled iron ore trains from Marquette, MI to dockyards alongside Lake Superior. It was retired from service in 1969 and placed in the scrap yard. In 1989 it was restored by the Grand Canyon Railroad and became a tourist railroad there. It was subsequently retired from service at the Grand Canyon and moved to Colorado.

It arrived in Allen October 14, 2020 from storage at the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad in Alamosa, Colorado on four trucks and was placed on tracks laid for this purpose in front of the Depot. It is in a partially restored state.

Additional restoration work needs to be done. Volunteers and donations will be gladly accepted! Join us and get involved with local history! Contact us via http://www.allenheritage.org or call 469-342-6674