Lincoln Funeral Train to Visit Troy Ohio

Lincoln Funeral Train to Visit Troy Ohio

On April 30, 1865, the funeral train carrying the body of assassinated President Abraham Lincoln made a memorial stop at Piqua, Ohio in Miami County. Over 10,000 people stood in the rain, attending the memorial, and then moving on toward Indianapolis, Indiana.

In this the sesquicentennial year of the Lincoln assassination, Troy, Ohio, the county seat for Miami County, will host the Lincoln Funeral Train in a four day public event, September 10 through 13, at the historic 1888 Miami County Court House. Other on-site activities will include Civil War re-enactors, encampments and exhibits. Plus a 31 foot sculpture of Abraham Lincoln with a Modern Day Man titled “Return Visit” by world renowned sculptor, Seward Johnson.

The Lincoln Funeral Car named, UNITED STATES, a wood-body reproduction car is highly accurate. Stepping beyond the threshold is a decidedly 19th century environment. From the carpet to the furniture and the curtains, Dave Kloke, Master Car Builder and his staff of craftsmen provided countless hours of painstaking work to recreate this historic car.

Beyond the door a black coffin rests upon the catafalque. On the coffin lid a silver identification plate sets, identical to the one on the actual coffin. Overhead is a striking headliner, ceiling, all done in folded rose fabric with a large folded rosette. Hanging from the clerestory is one of three brass chandeliers. Clerestory walls display the state seals for the 36 states of the union in 1865. Beside the coffin, two chairs from the Civil War era stand ready to hold the generals who sat with the remains during the historic journey. Entering the hall, a door to the right contains the bedroom, complete with bed, dresser, pitcher and bowl. Below protective floor covers is hand woven wool carpet, reproduced from Civil War era carpet patterns, made by a master weaver for this car.

The hall opens into the third room. In 1865, this room held the coffin and remains of young William "Willie" Lincoln. He too made the funeral journey with his father. Contained here is a desk, lounge with fabric woven for this piece plus chairs. The end doors display reproductions of the builders plate used on the original car. All rod iron on the car was handmade and is identical to the original. The four trucks (sixteen wheels) under the car are similar to those used under the original car and featuring cast brass eagles on each. The journal pedestals are ornate examples of the pattern maker's skills and were made specific to this unique car.

LEVIATHAN, is a new reproduction locomotive based on civil war designs. This locomotive style and design was typical of at least 24 locomotives, used to pull the original Lincoln Funeral Train. The LEVIATHAN was built by Dave Kloke at his Elgin, Illinois shop, entering service in 2010. It weighs 88,000 pounds and is of the 4-4-0 wheel arrangement. It is accurately painted with colors matching the original locomotive LEVIATHAN of the Central Pacific Railroad. It has extensive and eye-catching gold leafing on the tender sides, typical of that era.
This is a rare opportunity to step back and experience history.

TROY, OHIO; September 10 through 13. The Lincoln Funeral Train. 201 West Main Street (SR 41). Public viewing will be from Noon to 8 P.M. on September 10 & 11 and 10 to 8 September 12 and 13.

Color Guard and flag raising ceremony at the Court House each day with flag lowering ceremony at 8 P.M. each evening. Coffin placed in the car by the Color Guard each morning.
For additional information, please call the Miami County Visitors Bureau at 800-348-8993 or Troy Main Street at 937-339-5455. You may also visit our website at www.HomeGrownGreat.com.