United States Army Steam Locomotive No. 4039
Encyclopedia
United States Army Steam Locomotive No. 4039, is located in the Whippany
section of Hanover Township
, New Jersey
. The locomotive was built in 1942 and added to the National Register of Historic Places
on March 4, 2002. The locomotive is part of the Whippany Railway Museum
.
in November 1942 for the U.S. War Department. The locomotive is a 0-6-0 "Switching"-type built for Standard gauge
track. The intended use of the locomotive was for U.S. military service in the Far East, Africa and Europe, but instead was used for switching operations for military bases within the United States during World War II
. After WWII the locomotive was no longer needed by the War Department and was sold to the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway
on February 17, 1947. The locomotive was used in freight operations until August 1, 1963 when it was taken out of service when the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway made the change over to diesel locomotives.
In 1965, the locomotive was sold to the Morris County Central Railroad and was used for passenger rail excursions. The locomotive's last run was on December 14, 1980 between Newfoundland
and Stockholm
, New Jersey. The Whippany Railway Museum acquired the locomotive on May 7, 1994 and cosmetically restored it for static display. The Morris County
Board of Chosen Freeholders adopted a Resolution designating the locomotive "The Official Steam Locomotive of Morris County" on January 26, 1997.
Whippany, New Jersey
Whippany is an unincorporated area located within Hanover Township in Morris County, New Jersey. Whippany's name is derived from the Whippanong Native Americans, a tribe that once inhabited the area...
section of Hanover Township
Hanover Township, New Jersey
Hanover Township is a Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. At the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 12,898...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. The locomotive was built in 1942 and added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on March 4, 2002. The locomotive is part of the Whippany Railway Museum
Whippany Railway Museum
The Whippany Railway Museum is a railway museum and excursion train ride located in Whippany, New Jersey.-History:In 1965, Whippany was the location of the Morris County Central Railroad, a steam excursion railroad...
.
History
The locomotive was built by the American Locomotive CompanyAmerican Locomotive Company
The American Locomotive Company, often shortened to ALCO or Alco , was a builder of railroad locomotives in the United States.-Early history:...
in November 1942 for the U.S. War Department. The locomotive is a 0-6-0 "Switching"-type built for Standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
track. The intended use of the locomotive was for U.S. military service in the Far East, Africa and Europe, but instead was used for switching operations for military bases within the United States during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After WWII the locomotive was no longer needed by the War Department and was sold to the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway
Virginia Blue Ridge Railway
The Virginia Blue Ridge Railway is a historic intrastate short line railroad that operated in central Virginia in the 20th century.The company was incorporated in 1914, and construction was started in 1915. The VBR extended from Tye River Depot in Nelson County, where it interchanged with the...
on February 17, 1947. The locomotive was used in freight operations until August 1, 1963 when it was taken out of service when the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway made the change over to diesel locomotives.
In 1965, the locomotive was sold to the Morris County Central Railroad and was used for passenger rail excursions. The locomotive's last run was on December 14, 1980 between Newfoundland
Newfoundland, New Jersey
Newfoundland is an unincorporated area in West Milford, New Jersey, Jefferson Township, and Rockaway Township. It is located along the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway tracks and Route 23. It is the mailing address of Green Pond, a private lake that is in Rockaway Township. Newfoundland...
and Stockholm
Stockholm, New Jersey
Stockholm, New Jersey is an unincorporated area, located in the southeastern part of Hardyston Township in Sussex County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Its ZIP Code is 07460...
, New Jersey. The Whippany Railway Museum acquired the locomotive on May 7, 1994 and cosmetically restored it for static display. The Morris County
Morris County, New Jersey
Morris County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, about west of New York City. According to the United States 2010 Census, the population was 492,276. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Morristown....
Board of Chosen Freeholders adopted a Resolution designating the locomotive "The Official Steam Locomotive of Morris County" on January 26, 1997.