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All the United States Illinois Lincoln Railsplitter Covered Wagon

Railsplitter Covered Wagon

The world's largest covered wagon is piloted by a giant Lincoln lawyer.

Lincoln, Illinois

Added By
Sarah Wallick
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Railsplitter Covered Wagon   gobucks2 on Flickr
Railsplitter Covered Wagon   gobucks2 on Flickr
Railsplitter Covered Wagon   gobucks2 on Flickr
Railsplitter Covered Wagon   gobucks2 on Flickr
9-17-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
9-17-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
9-17-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
9-17-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
  ski queen / Atlas Obscura User
  SemiruralYeti / Atlas Obscura User
9-15-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
  Kristen / Atlas Obscura User
9-15-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
9-17-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the "World's Largest Covered Wagon," an honor that is unlikely to have a number of challengers, Illinois' Railsplitter covered wagon is a roadside novelty driven by a titanic Abraham Lincoln. 

Created in 2001 by Illinois local David Bentley, the Railsplitter began as a project to kill time during his recovery from surgery. The four-wheeled wagon is built out of steel and oak and stands an impressive 25 feet tall and 40 feet long. It is designed like a classic prairie schooner with a deep central bed and a bench at the front where the driver would command the, in this case frighteningly large, chargers. Sitting in the bench of the Railsplitter is none other than beloved 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, albeit a 12-foot tall, fiberglass version of the man. In an oddly modern twist, Lincoln is molded here reading a book simply titled, "Law," while he steers the wagon across the metaphorical plains. 

The wagon was finished to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the novelty-rotten road, Route 66, along which the Railsplitter now sits. The wagon was originally placed outside of Bentley's house but was moved to its current home in Lincoln, Illinois in 2007. A large storm did a great deal of damage to the vehicle in 2014, but with the dauntless perseverance of the American frontier, local volunteers had it repaired in no time.

Related Tags

World's Largest Wild West Abraham Lincoln

Community Contributors

Added By

sarahwallick

Edited By

EricGrundhauser, ski queen, Darrell Powers, SemiruralYeti...

  • EricGrundhauser
  • ski queen
  • Darrell Powers
  • SemiruralYeti
  • Kristen

Published

October 30, 2014

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Sources
  • http://www.worldslargestcoveredwagon.com/
  • https://roadtrippers.com/us/lincoln-il/points-of-interest/railsplitter-covered-wagon
  • http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/7692
  • http://www.il66assoc.org/attraction/railsplitter-covered-wagon
  • http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-2000/largest-covered-wagon/
Railsplitter Covered Wagon
1750 5th Street
Lincoln, Illinois, 62656
United States
40.146857, -89.387398
Get Directions

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