As a youngster Carl Sandburg played “hide-and-seek” and “follow-the-leader” under the turntable of the Fulton County Narrow Gauge Railway. It was located east of South Seminary Street and south of East Knox Street. When the train came into Galesburg, the engine had to be turned around to travel back the way it had come.

There was grass and weeds growing under the beams of the turntable. The shadows were good places to hide. Some older boys and girls found hiding places under the turntable for a different kind of play. There were whispers of gossip about goings-on at the turntable, but parents quickly put a stop to whatever might have taken place, or so they thought.

The Fulton County Narrow Gauge Railway came into being on October 9, 1878. Business leaders in Lewistown hoped to gain the support of farmers in the northern part of Fulton County in the contest with Canton for the location of the county seat. The first train traveled from Fairview to Lewistown on August 19, 1880. Service to Galesburg began in 1882. As coal mines in the area developed, spurs were constructed to serve the mines. Passenger service was also provided into the early part of the twentieth century.

The railroad was built for less than $3000 per mile. The rails were only three feet apart and were of a light weight. There was no ballast under the rails in the early days. A “devious” route was constructed through the Spoon River Valley. This strategy was employed to avoid moving great quantities of earth and building bridges over obstructions. As a consequence there were 183 curves and the line covered 61 miles. It was affectionately known as “the peavine.”

The rolling stock of the company included five locomotives, four coaches, several box cars and many coal cars. Water for the steam engines was provided at four locations along the route. Ticket stations were available at Galesburg, DeLong, Ellisville, London Mills, Fairview, Fiatt, Cuba, Lewistown and West Havana.

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad acquired the narrow gauge in 1908. In 1910 the line was converted to standard gauge. The C.B. & Q. requested abandonment from the state regulatory agency in 1934 and the tracks were removed. During the Great Depression, there may not have been enough business to cover the expenses. There were many people along the line who thought the little railroad was still in good enough condition to continue operation.

The depot of the Narrow Gauge still stands at the corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets in Lewistown. It was recently purchased by the Lewistown Historical Society and is maintained as a museum and tourist attraction.

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Addendum: I found a map of Galesburg in 1895 showing the Fulton County Narrow Gauge Railroad entered the city on Pine Street. Between Second and Third Streets, it paralleled the Peoria tracks. At Knox Street it turned north to the depot near Seminary Street and South Street. It does not show the location of the turntable. I have searched  Always the Young Strangers and Sandburg mentions the turntable near Pearl Street and the Peoria tracks.  --Barbara Schock (2/12/2015)