J. Craig Thorpe (American, B. 1948) "Nebraska Locomotive" Signed lower left. Original Oil painting on Paper.
Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.
This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood Legendary Locomotives of the 50 States Nebraska Commemorative Cover postmarked May 24, 1995.
In the years between 1881 and 1887, the railroad industry saw its greatest period of expansion, as more than 56,000 miles of track were added to America's rail network. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (CB&Q) was particularly suited for rapid growth, for in 1881 it was enjoying the highest revenues in its history. By the summer of '81, the Burlington's directors had authorized construction of an extension to Denver, despite competitive threats by financier Jay Gould, controller of the Union Pacific, Missouri Pacific and Wabash railroads. Rapidly moving through Nebraska, CB&Q construction crews were putting down more than a mile of track a day by the middle of November. By the end of the year, they had reached the Colorado border, and at that point the decision was made to also start laying track eastward from the "Mile High City." On May 24, 1882, the two crews met about 11 miles east of Denver at Carr City, where the final spike was driven. When the extension opened on May 29, three months ahead of schedule, the Burlington became the first railroad to offer uninterrupted service between Chicago and Denver. One of the locomotives that steamed to Denver through the "Cornhusker State" is Burlington's engine No. 125, a Class H-1 type shown here. Built by the CB&Q's Aurora Shops in 1888, this 2-6-0 was successfully used by the Burlington for passenger runs, even though this type of locomotive was typically a freight hauler.
Image Size: 14 x 12 in.
Overall Size: 18 x 15 in.
Unframed.
(B15026)
Condition
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