Bridge Replica Locomotive
Beloit, United States
On August 8, 1944, Fairbanks Morse & Company, located in Beloit, Wisconsin, shipped its first newly designed diesel-electric locomotive, designated as "Milwaukee Road 1802," to the Chicago, Milwaukee, St Paul & Pacific Railroad. This is a scaled replica of the original locomotive which was powered by a Fairbanks Morse Opposed Piston engine. In the early-1930's, the design and manufacture of the Opposed Piston engine was a major milestone which involved many dedicated engineers and other employees. Heinrich Schneider, Percy C. Banks, Fritz P. Grutzner, and L.B. Jackson were key contributors to that design effort. During the peak production years of World War II (1941 to 1945), Fairbanks Morse employed as many as 7,000 men and women. The company continues to be a key industrial manufacturer in the City of Beloit. This locomotive replica honors the contributions of the 19th and 20th century workers and the industrial heritage of Beloit, Wisconsin.