#2542 Steam Locomotive

With speeds topping out around 85 MPH, Locomotive #2542 - a Mountain type locomotive - served as a work horse for Illinois Central Railroad in both passenger and freight service during the middle years of the 20th century. #2542 is one of only two surviving 2500 class Paducah Rebuilds (named for the square "Paducah" sand dome atop the boiler) with a sister locomotive, #2500, residing in Centralia, Illinois. These were the largest steam engines in the ICRR fleet. The wheel arrangement for this locomotive was reconfigured in 1942 from a 2-10-2 to a 4-8-2 arrangement; beginning her life as locomotive #2906 in Lima, Ohio Locomotive Works in 1921.

Owned by the City of McComb City, Locomotive #2542 was acquired in 1962 largely through the efforts of the late Oliver Emmerich (then editor of the McComb Enterprise Journal), the McComb Junior Auxiliary and other local civic groups. Her home was in Edgewood Park until relocated to this spot on June 21, 2000.