Northern Pacific Railway Transcontinental Train, the first northern transcontinental train, as it appeared in September, 1883, enroute from Saint Paul to Gold Creek, Montana, where on September 8 the Northern Pacific's last spike was driven. Aboard this train were President Henry Villard of the Northern Pacific, General U.S. Grant, and other dignitaries of the United State and foreign countries. Following the spike driving ceremonies, the train proceeded to Portland, Oregon.
The William Crooks was the first locomotive to operate in Minnesota. Constructed in 1861, it provided service a year later for the Saint Paul and Pacific Railroad, a company that eventually became part of the Great Northern Railway. James J. Hill had the locomotive pull his personal train. It now resides in a static display at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth. Minnesota. Engineer Herschell Hudgens, Jr. and three unidentified people shown.
The William Crooks was the first locomotive to operate in Minnesota. Constructed in 1861, it arrived on a river barge in Saint Paul. It provided service in 1862 for the Saint Paul and Pacific Railroad, a company that eventually became part of the Great Northern Railway. The engine is pulling a Saint Paul and Pacific baggage car and passenger car. It ran on the eleven miles of track between Saint Paul and Saint Anthony (now Minneapolis). Eventually, James J. Hill used the locomotive to pull his personal train. It now resides in a static display at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, Minnesota.
The William Crooks was the first locomotive to operate in Minnesota. Constructed in 1861, it first provided service a year later for the Saint Paul and Pacific Railroad, a company that eventually became part of the Great Northern Railway. James J. Hill had the locomotive pull his personal train. William Crooks was displayed at the 1939 New York World's Fair and in 1948 at the Chicago Railroad Fair. It was displayed for some time at the Saint Paul Union Depot before being put in a static display at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, in Duluth, Minnesota.