Worlds largest railsplitter covered wagon lincoln photos
Railsplitter Covered Wagon
The Railsplitter Covered Wagon is the largest covered wagon in the world. It is located in Lincoln, Illinois and comprises of a 12-foot-tall Abe on a 24-foot-tall covered wagon. It is recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records and was named #1 Roadside Attraction in America by Reader's Digest magazine.
Lincoln is a city in Logan County, Illinois, United States. It is the only town in the United States that was named for Abraham Lincoln before he became president; he practiced law there from 1847 to 1859.
The wagon is located at the Best Western Lincoln Inn at 1750 5th St. - corner of 5th Street and Route 66 in Lincoln, Illinois.
Worlds Largest Covered Wagon – Weird Roadside Attraction
Driving north along I-55 in Illinois, I saw a sign saying “Worlds Largest Covered Wagon” exit 123. What was that? Never heard of it or seen that sign before on my numerous drives back home to Michigan from St. Louis. I instantly googled it and made the impromptu decision to track it down. I love stopping at unique and weird roadside attractions when I’m on a street trip, and this seemed enjoy a perfect one to visit.
The covered wagon, Railsplitter, was the brainstorm of David Bentley, who in 2001 was recovering from surgery and thought this would be a great project to occupy his time. Hand-built of steel and oak the wagon stands 25 ft tall and is 40 ft long and 12 ft wide. It was displayed in front of his home until 2007 where it was moved to be on Route 66 in Lincoln. It now is parked on Route 66 at 1750 Fifth St. in the front of the Best Western Lincoln Inn.
Yep, the Railsplitter has been awarded the Guinness Worlds Document of Worlds Largest Covered Wagon. The wagon weighs a whopping 10,000 lbs. And the driver is none other than Abraham Lincoln reading a Law novel. Good Ole Abe is mad
World's Largest Covered Wagon, world record in Lincoln, Illinois
Lincoln, Illinois,United States--TheRailsplitter Covered Wagon, created byDavid Bentleyand donated byLarry J. Van Bibber, is located on the front lawn of the Best Western Lincoln Inn, near historic Route 66, in Lincoln, Illinois, United States, stands 24 feet tall; a statue ofAbe Lincolnreading a law book sits in the huge wooden wagon, which sets the world record for being theWorld's Largest Covered Wagon, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.
"A stop at the Railsplitter Covered Wagon on your Route 66 journey is a must. Abraham Lincoln is a big part of the history in Logan County," theDestination Logan Countysays.
"He often traveled to Lincoln as a circuit riding lawyer on the 8th Judicial Circuit. So it is only fitting that Abe is featured atop of the the Wagon. The wagon was created by David Bentley and donated by Larry J. Van Bibber in January of 2007.
"The Wagon measures 25 ft tall and 40 ft long, the Guinness Book of World Records recognizes this Lincoln landmark as the World's Largest Covered Wagon. In the Winter, the cover is removed to protect it from the elements but it is
Lincoln, Illinois: World's Largest Covered Wagon and Big Lincoln
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The Railsplitter covered wagon is in fine shape. Abe is looking good and still reading his law book. Although I honestly swear the last time we visited, this was all in a different location! Have I become road weary?
[Mike Gassmann, 08/30/2025]Honest Abe is reading a law book and sitting on his covered wagon in the town that bears his name. According to Guinness World Records, this is indeed the World's Largest Covered Wagon. A must see attraction on your Illinois Route 66 journey! It's a popular stop and, on the day we visited, we were lucky to meet some new friends sporting their own Lincoln beards and stovepipe hats!
[Mike Gassmann, 10/23/2018]The cover of the wagon is intact, worth the photo op.
[Joe OsgoodWorld’s Largest Covered Wagon in Lincoln, Illinois
The days of travel by prairie schooner may be long gone. But the World’s Largest Covered Wagon is still a great stop on any road trip through Illinois.
Located along Route 66 in Lincoln, Illinois, the World’s Largest Covered Wagon was built by local resident David Bentley in 2001. The project initially began as something for Bentley to do while recovering from heart surgery. He crafted the Railsplitter Covered Wagon by hand using steel and locally sourced Illinois oak. Ultimately, he completed the project to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Route 66.
But the quirkiness of this roadside attraction doesn’t stop there. A fan of the 16th President of the United States, Bentley decided to add a 12-foot fiberglass Abraham Lincoln — built by FAST Fiberglass in Sparta, Wisconsin — to the wagon’s seat. The giant Lincoln has the President’s typical beard as well as stovepipe top hat, and appears to be reading a book simply called “Law.” Even before this roadside oddity, Lincoln was no stranger to Logan County. He traveled to the area frequently as a circuit riding lawyer on the