Locomotive Stats:
Builder |
Build Date |
Build Number |
Wheels |
Cylinders |
Driver Diameter |
Empty Weight |
Weight on Drivers |
Operating Pressure |
Traction Effort |
Davenport Locomotive Works |
09/1910 |
1042 |
2-6-0 |
11x16 |
28" |
15 tons |
12 tons |
135 psi |
7,934 lbs. |
History-
One of the two original engines to run on the CP&LE, 2-6-0 Albert was built by the Davenport Locomotive Company of Davenport, Iowa, in 1910 to haul sugar cane on the Levert-St. John Plantation in St. Martinsville, Louisiana. Albert was given its name on the plantation after plantation owner Jean-Baptiste Levert's son, Albert O. Levert. The locomotive had the last ever riveted replacement boiler built in 1955, before the Davenport Locomotive Works left the locomotive building business. When trucks took over hauling sugar cane, Albert was retired and sold in 1959 to the Sutton Junk and Salvage Company in New Iberia, LA.
Although Albert could have been cut up for scrap, Arthur LaSalle of the American Railroad Equipment Association purchased the engine in 1960. LaSalle restored it for operation and leased it to the Cherokee Wonderland Railroad in Cherokee, NC. Albert ran for two seasons at the Cherokee Wonderland tourist railroad in Cherokee, NC, across the mountain from Gatlinburg, TN, earning a picture in Ron Ziel's book "Twilight of Steam Locomotives" while at Cherokee.
One of the two original engines to run on the CP&LE, 2-6-0 Albert was built by the Davenport Locomotive Company of Davenport, Iowa, in 1910 to haul sugar cane on the Levert-St. John Plantation in St. Martinsville, Louisiana. Albert was given its name on the plantation after plantation owner Jean-Baptiste Levert's son, Albert O. Levert. The locomotive had the last ever riveted replacement boiler built in 1955, before the Davenport Locomotive Works left the locomotive building business. When trucks took over hauling sugar cane, Albert was retired and sold in 1959 to the Sutton Junk and Salvage Company in New Iberia, LA.
Although Albert could have been cut up for scrap, Arthur LaSalle of the American Railroad Equipment Association purchased the engine in 1960. LaSalle restored it for operation and leased it to the Cherokee Wonderland Railroad in Cherokee, NC. Albert ran for two seasons at the Cherokee Wonderland tourist railroad in Cherokee, NC, across the mountain from Gatlinburg, TN, earning a picture in Ron Ziel's book "Twilight of Steam Locomotives" while at Cherokee.
Albert seen coming into the Midway passing by the Cedar Gulch Stage Coach ride in 1966.
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Albert then came to Cedar Point in 1963 and was placed in service immediately. After 25 years of service to the CP&LE, Albert was being used as a backup engine during peak crowds by the late 1980s. In 1987, Albert's tender water tank, which was leaking, was taken off its trucks and replaced with Jennie K.'s tender.
With the completion of the restoration of the Myron H. at Shop Services, Albert was withdrawn from service at the end of 1991. Albert then sat in the back of the Engine House with Maud L. until 2000, when she was moved onto a display track built at the former Cedar Junction station along the Frontier Trail. In 2003, Albert received a brand-new cab and paint. This was done again in 2013. Reported to need running gear work, new tires, a new frame, and at this point probably new tubes, Albert awaits the day when she will hopefully be rebuilt for service. |
Albert being lifted off the mainline by crane to the Cedar Jct. display track. Ray Osburn photo.