Alpha, I11.
On December 18, 1961, the City of Galesburg, Illinois, received
from the Burlington railroad a steam locomotive No. 3006 donated by
the Burlington and presented to the city by the President, Harry C.
Murphy. Mr. Murphy commented that the passing of the steam
locomotive has been with some regret. We are trying to keep some of
In this connection he mentioned the appeal of the whistle and
bell on a steam locomotive. The preservation of the locomotive
makes it possible for children in the future to see what a steam
locomotive looked like.
Mayor Cabeen in accepting the engine in behalf of the City told
the gathering that the locomotive ‘stands for more than a pile
of scrap iron.’ It serves as a memory of the past. As he
completed his acceptance speech, the Mayor gave Mr. Murphy a gold
key to the City in exchange for the locomotive.
Then the Galesburg high school band played an appropriate
number, ‘I’ve been working on the railroad.’
I was very happy to witness these ceremonies, and especially
proud that my 12 year old grandson, Harold R. Bohman, was chosen to
represent the youth of the city. He had the honor of cutting the
ribbon at the foot of the steps leading to the locomotive cab. He
was also presented a toy freight car and a railroad cap bearing the
Burlington insignia, by Mr. Murphy.
The locomotive is on display next to the Burlington tracks north
of the Galesburg depot.
Harold has attended the Mt. Pleasant reunion with me every year
since he was four years old.