008: Lincoln Funeral Train - David Kloke

There is no doubt to the significance of President Lincoln's role in American history.  David Kloke tells us about completing the funeral train and building Leviathan, a 19th century 4-4-0 steam locomotive. News Huffington Post ran a great article about how trains influenced Walt Disney and led to his famous amusement parks.  The fact that Disneyworld uses restored narrow-gauge steam locomotives is something to be commended. WCAX ran a news story about Amtrak's Vermonter being extended from St. Albans to Montreal.  While it will be great to see this route connect to Canada, I'm sharing it with you because of the impressive footage included in the companion video.  There's even some pacing shots in there! Last weekend I operated ore trains on my friend Ed Cronin's Bessemer & Lake Erie train layout.  You can see photos and a video of the layout by clicking here. What news is most important to cover on the show?  Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode. David Kloke Interview (5:32)David was inspired to build his first steam locomotive Leviathan after seeing a documentary on television about President Lincoln's funeral train.  The locomotive took approximately ten years to complete and is valued at around $2.5 million dollars!  Kloke Locomotive Works also completed a 4-4-0 for Steam Into History in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. The Lincoln Funeral Car was built for the president to use as his executive coach, the railroad equivalent of Air Force One.  However, upon his assassination, the car was used to transport him and his son to Springfield, Illinois.  David and his team have built a replica of the coach which will be making its public debut soon, and he discusses the significance of honoring an American legend.  You can learn more about the project by visiting its official website. Question of the Day (41:47) I read some responses to the question I asked in Episode 007 and provide you with a new one:  What news is most important to cover on the show?  Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode.   Subscribe on iTunes, Join our Newsletter, and share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House!