Chesapeake & Ohio RR 2-8-4 No. 2707
Union, IL, United States 		Location: Illinois Railway Museum
Status: Stored
Posted: May 15, 2022 @ 17:05:33 by Matthew Gardner
Was just at this museum yesterday. This engine is probably in the worst shape of all steamers at this museum. Everything else is reasonable, but this one is pretty bad. Cab is rotted, and rust is everywhere. The asbestos is gone though, which is very good.
Posted: Jun 26, 2020 @ 08:06:28 by Martin Braunlich
I remember this locomotive well when it sat at Brookside Park. Back in 1959 on a cold Easter Sunday, my grandparents and my parents made a trip there to see it. Now my brother and I were four years old and this was the first steam locomotive I had ever seen up close. What a monster to a three foot high kid. Thankfully my grandfather took some black and white photos. Back then it was very complete before the vandalism tore off many components. I saw it a number of times after that including a day with Captain Penny a very well known Cleveland kids show TV host who always wore a engineer’s hat.. I last saw it in the flats near the old B&O roundhouse looking very poor. I took pictures of it there too before it went to Illinois. I’m glad it was saved but there is so much missing, I doubt it will ever be restored.
Posted: Jun 19, 2016 @ 23:06:40 by NW
Was at the IL railway museum this past Friday, always a fun place to go and to see my favorite steam engine, the 2707. Had been outside on a back track with some other engines and cars that were in disrepair, but today the 2707 was nowhere to be found. You can image my concern. Seems they had built 5 or 6 new giant storage barns over the winter to try to save their remaining stock, but alas 2707 was not there. By accident I revisited the steam locomotive barn only to find 2707 neatly tucked on a side track of the main barn with all the other display steam engines. Now 2707 will be resting inside and out of the harsh winters of IL. She still is in quite disrepair, but hopefully will not deteriate further in this new location, Yea for 2707, go see her/him.
Posted: Jul 29, 2014 @ 17:07:40 by NW
Saw the 2707 today at the Union Museum for the first time. Drew me to it immediately. Had to find out more about it. Thanks for the info. Sits out on the back tracks with a bunch of other old engines. Showing quite a bit of wear, hope they can get it restored. Even though, still presents a magnificent presence. Was one of the highlights of my visit. Can see why it still lives on in everyones memories, add me to the list.
Posted: May 15, 2012 @ 23:05:28 by Dave Thomas
Per the request for pictures of C&O 2707 being removed from Brookside Park in Cleveland.....I have just added some to my photostream on flickr...my ID there is dthomas76cs, and I hope they are what you were looking for.
Posted: Dec 30, 2010 @ 14:12:42 by Vince bucy
I remember seeing pictures when they removed this engine from Brookside park. I was wondering if any pictures where on the Internet? If you know of any such pictures, could you post the site on here? Thanks
Posted: Nov 14, 2010 @ 11:11:54 by Guy Turner
My aunt lived near Brookside Park so we had a few chances to play on it too. Nobody cared if you fell off or scraped yourself; fun had some risks. Too bad that attitude has been replaced by the "get paid" mindset.
Posted: Dec 12, 2009 @ 15:12:11 by Tom
My grandpa had retired as an engineer in 1955 and was part of the dedication ceremony at Brookside park in 1958. My older brothers and sisters were there that day and received engineer caps and handkerchiefs. I was not born at the time but had the opportunity to visit the locomotive as a kid in the seventies. I have a photo taken the day of the ceremony with my grandpa on the dedication platform.
Posted: Jul 17, 2009 @ 22:07:48 by Brian Blaich
When I was a young boy I was able to go and see the C&O 2707 come to the Cleveland Zoo for its first days of display. I remember words spoken of hope of preservation for a time past on to the history books and how important it was to preserve this machine. It was a wonderful sight for a young boy to see with its brass gages gleaming and its gloss black paint shining! I knew that the name C&O must be something very important. It impressed me so much that from that time on I was totally in love with trains and big machinery. I still am to this day. Back in the 1960s, I went to the park every chance I could to see the engine. I must have climbed crawled on and touched just about every part of it. I was even in the fire box and the water tank of the tender. I never vandalized but unfortunately others did. I am happy it found a home. I would think that this engine would be a good project for restoration. I know it was in good condition when it was parked. I also was able to see it extracted from the park. What a sad sight that was. The tracks where curved to tight and the old girl derailed. This was a poor way to treat this proud guest of 30 plus years to the Cleveland area. Brian Blaich Medina Ohio 7/17/09
Posted: Apr 16, 2008 @ 02:04:51 by Bill S.
Actually, She was located in Brookside Park, next to the Cleveland Zoo, not in the zoo itself. As a child who loved trains, I have fond memories of my dad taking me to the park back in the 70's, so I could play on the locomotive. Was kinda bummed years later , when I found out she had been moved from the park. But given that she was looking rough when I was a kid, I'm glad now that's she's in a museum and not in a scrap heap somewhere. Hopefully, one of these days I can make it up to the IRM, so I can get to take another look at her.
Posted: Jul 30, 2007 @ 12:07:05 by C.W.Sedglet
C&O 2707 was not owned by MRPS.  It was stored there at the West 3rd street roundhouse after it was pulled out of the Cleveland Zoo.  MRPS does own GTW 4070
Posted: Jun 9, 2007 @ 18:06:03 by John Heid
smokebox door, repainted, is now reattached.
Posted: Apr 4, 2007 @ 15:04:46 by craig smith
2707 was once own by the midwest ry. historical foundation in cleveland, oh.
Posted: Mar 6, 2007 @ 22:03:07 by John Heid
I was last @ IRM in September 2007; the smokebox door was being painted in the shops. Just out of curiosity, with whom and for what would we trade it for?
Posted: Nov 24, 2006 @ 14:11:33 by J.D. Marzec
2707 has parts being repainted and there is suspission that she might be traided or sold.
Posted: Jun 19, 2003 @ 12:06:17 by Frank Hicks
C&O 2707 was transferred to IRM on 10 May 1993.
Posted: Oct 27, 2002 @ 22:10:57 by Doug Bailey
Thanks for pointing that out! Silly mistake on my part.  Database has been corrected.
Posted: Oct 27, 2002 @ 22:10:09 by TerrySpirek
Is not in a B&O roundhouse, but stored on the  I.R.M. muesum gounds.