Although the Mason Bogie gets most of the attention, the Weiser Railroad at Greenfield Village has another operable steam locomotive. She's called the "Edison" and she's a 25-ton 4-4-0 American type. In the early 1930s, Henry Ford decided he wanted a 4-4-0 locomotive from the Mason Locomotive Works for the collection at what was then called the Edison Institute. When he found that none were available, he commissioned the construction of a replica in 1932. The work was done by the Rouge Locomotive Shop in Detroit, and utilized components from 3 existing engines. Ford named this creation, the "Edison", after his friend Thomas Edison. Although this engine is something of a mongrel, it has a unique character all its own....and the more you look at it, the more it grows on you. I especially like the little 2-axle tender. In my photograph, she's parked just outside the village round house while shop crews were doing some minor maintenance on her. If any of the Weiser Railroad folks have anything to add/correct on this story, feel free to post comments or contact me.
