Northwestern Steel & Wire

Company History: NS&WCo. was established as Northwestern Barbed Wire in 1879. The name was changed in 1938. Their mill in Sterling, Illinois as you would expect of any steel mill, had their own intra-plant railroad. For many years, steam switchers cast off from Illinois Central provided the power. In 1960, fifteen 0-8-0 switchers were delivered from Grand Trunk Western for scrapping. Rather than cut them up, NS&WCo. pressed some into service (presumably a few were held back as a parts source.) They quickly gained fame in the railfan community. The 0-8-0’s were operated with one man crews – a difficult task for engines not equipped with mechanical stokers. The last 0-8-0, number 73, was retired on December 3, 1980. Diesel switchers took over from there. The mill closed in 2001.

Brief History: The U.S. is a country of 50 states covering a vast swath of North America, with Alaska in the northwest and Hawaii extending the nation’s presence into the Pacific Ocean. Major Atlantic Coast cities are New York, a global finance and culture center, and capital Washington, DC. Midwestern metropolis Chicago is known for influential architecture and on the west coast, Los Angeles' Hollywood is famed for filmmaking.