| Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad 9903, named INJUN JOE, at Overland Park, Kansas on an unknown day in April 1980, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler. Number 9903 was ordered in March 1935, delivered by Budd in October 1935. It was built specifically for the Saint Louis - Burlington Iowa service and named the Mark Twain Zephyr. It was retired around 1958 and sold to Frank Dashner in June 1960 for use as a restaurant who died before that plan was implemented. His estate sold the train to Ernie Hays for $6,500.00 and it was displayed at the Midwest Old Threshers Association, Mount Pleasant, Iowa until the early 1970's, when it was sold to Alex Barkett of Building Leasing Corporation International, who also died before implementing any plans for the train. The train's ownership passed to Civic Plaza National Bank. In 1984, Dave Stimson, a player for the Kansas City Chiefs, purchased the equipment. After declaring bankruptcy late in 1987, the train was sold to John C. Lowe. He and two other individuals formed the Mark Twain Corporation, which was headed by Mr. Ronald. This group started the monumental task of trying to restore the train, but ran into challenges along the way. The train was stored in the Joliet, Illinois area awaiting additional investors to help fund its completion. |