Some time back, there was a thread on a real 42" gauge steam engine in Springfield, MO:
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...-42-inch-gauge-2-4-0
At the time, it was asked if anyone knew anything about it; I just tripped over the thread, and I can provide a little info.
Of its origin I know nothing, but I know where it was prior to Springfield. It belonged to an eccentric old fellow named George Carney; he lived on a farm just north of Rolla, MO, and was active in local promotions of the region, heading up an annual fair called the Ozark Extravaganza (held at the Rolla National Airport in Vichy, MO). Used to be quite the shindig.
Anyway, he also owned a car museum/restoration shop in Rolla as well as a range of other properties, including the big farm. As he like old cars, he also liked old trains, and he managed to purchase that engine, a few cars, and some rail, and he worked more-or-less steadily on putting in a loop of track on his farm. I never saw it in place mayself, but I know lots of people who did, even some who got short rides.
Carney died some years ago, and his kids piecemealed the estate for the cash. The train went with the museum and a few other properties to another eccentric who wanted to build a new museum. Long story short, he failed, and the pieces were further broken up. For a while, the train sat underneath the awning of the building that is now the college campus where I work/teach. I wish it were still here 
Another footnote about Carney: he had some sort of thing with Donna Douglas. One of her Elli Mae costumes was an exhibit in the car museum--a much more petit person than you might guess just from watching The Beverly Hillbillies.
