J. Craig Thorpe (American, B. 1948) "Wisconsin Locomotive" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original which appeared on the Fleetwood Legendary Locomotives of the 50 States Wisconsin Commemorative Cover postmarked November 25, 1994. On November 27, 1892, curious onlookers scanned the eastern horizon at Kewaunee, Wisconsin, peering out over Lake Michigan to catch a glimpse of the Ann Arbor No. 1 as it approached, destined to become the first carferry to transport boxcars across that Great Lake. Although the Kewaunee, Green Bay & Western (KGB&W) had conceived this route to avoid the Chicago railyard bottleneck and serve as a more economical means of moving freight through this part of the Midwest, it was initially difficult to find shippers. Such a craning had never been attempted on an open body of water this size, thus many feared this mode of transportation was too risky. However, after the KGB&W pressured its fuel supplier to become its first customer, the Ann Arbor No. 1 carried four carloads of coal from Frankfort, Michigan, to Kewaunee on its maiden run to Wisconsin. After more than four hours of fitting the behemoth carrier to the Wisconsin harbor's apron, the Ann Arbor No. 1 unloaded its cargo and accepted 22 carloads of Pillsbury flour bound for England. This means of transportation ultimately became so successful that it significantly altered the rate structure for shipping flour and grain to the East. Displayed on this artwork is a depiction of the KGB&W's engine No. 36 loading freight cars onto the Ann Arbor No. 3 carferry at the Kewaunee harbor. This 2-6-0 Mogul type engine was built in 1909 by the American Locomotive Company. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 18 x 15 in. Unframed. (B14931)