ICG GP38-2 9605, Covington, Tennessee, July 19, 1986, photo by Chuck Zeiler. Built in November 1974 (c/n 74646-6), it was named "Ambrose E. Burnside". Ambrose Everett Burnside (May 23, 1824 September 13, 1881) was an American soldier, railroad executive, inventor, industrialist, and politician from Rhode Island, serving as governor and a U.S. Senator. His distinctive style of facial hair is now known as sideburns, derived from his last name. In 1853, he devoted his time and energy to the manufacture of the famous rifle that bears his name, the Burnside carbine. The destruction by fire of his factory contributed to his financial ruin, and he was forced to assign his firearm patents to others. He went west in search of employment and became treasurer of the Illinois Central Railroad. |