ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS
World’s Largest Covered Wagon
Route 66 promised travelers fun and adventure along the road. The Railsplitter Covered Wagon honors Abraham Lincoln in the only town named for him before he became president. It holds the Guinness World Record as the largest covered wagon and was voted #1 Roadside Attraction in America by Reader’s Digest magazine.
Building the Wagon
The Railsplitter was built by David Bentley in 2001 when he was recovering from heart disease. It was displayed on Historic Route 66 in Divernon until 2007.
Moving to Lincoln
In 2007, local philanthropist Larry Van Bibber generously purchased and donated the Railsplitter to the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau. The wagon arrived on a cold January morning, causing traffic jams as curious travelers stopped to take pictures.
The Railsplitter was moved again in December 2009 to its new home in front of the Best Western Lincoln Inn.
Larry Van Bibber and Paresh Patel (Best Western) cut the ribbon at the Railsplitter’s new home in 2010.
Guinness World Records Certificate
“The world’s largest covered wagon is 12.2 m (40 ft) long, 3.65 m (12 ft) wide, and 7.6 m (25 ft) tall. It was hand built out of Illinois oak and steel by David Bentley (USA) in 2001. The wagon, which runs on its wheels and has been pulled by a tractor, stands in front of Mr. Bentley’s house, off Interstate 55 near Pawnee, Illinois.”
