[1] The acquisition was assisted by Louis Neumiller, former president of Caterpillar Tractor Co.[4] The locomotive, now rebranded as Rock Island 886, resided in Lower Glen Oak Park from 1956.
[1][4] 886 was declared an eyesore and destined to be sold for scrap, but a public campaign, beginning in fall 1962, called for the engine to be restored and relocated.
[4] An editorial in the Journal Star declared: "The Park Board with title in hand would be doing the kids – and some of us old fogies, too – a real favor by preserving this priceless piece of Peoria’s past.”[4] Rock Island 886 was moved to Rock Island engine house for repairs, assisted by a $6,000 funding drive by the Commission for the Perpetuation and Preservation of Old 886.
[4] Over one day, the locomotive was transported to the museum, a 7.2 mile (11.6 km) uphill journey through Detweiller Park.
[4] In 2009, close to its 100th anniversary, Rock Island 886 was sanded, washed, repainted, and fitted with an electronic train whistle.