1943 New Giant Locomotive 815 Cotton Belt Route Builder Photo Pine Bluff Arkansas

Date: 1942 Artist: Unknown Size (in): 21” x 11.5” Size (cm): 53.5 x 29.2 Condition: A- Linen backed: No This vintage original “builder photo” style poster was issued by the St. Louis Southwestern Railway (Cotton Belt Route) to announce the completion of the railroad’s New Giant Locomotive 815 which was one of five L1 4-8-4 "Northern" class steam locomotives built at the railroad’s Pine Bluff shops in 1942 and 1943. 815 was the last engine built by the St. Louis Southwestern Railway and also the last locomotive built in the state of Arkansas. 815 was restored to operating condition in 1986 and is currently on display at the Arkansas Railroad Museum as the official state locomotive of Arkansas. This poster is a vintage original issued when Locomotive 815 entered service in 1943. This poster is folded as issued and free of tape or pinholes. The poster shows moderate handling wear and some toning from age and has a light vertical crease along the left edge. Overall condition is very good for this vintage original.