Q: I was going through my Mom's things and found this little figure of a chef holding a large baked potato. The words "Northern Pacific" are around the edge of the base. A paper label on the bottom says it's "Little Nippy" and calls it "The Familiar Little Friend of the Hungry Traveler." What can you tell me about this figure?

A: "Little Nippy" is an advertising figure used by Northern Pacific Railway, the first transcontinental railroad in the United States. Construction began in 1870, and by 1883 the line ran from St. Paul, Minn., to Tacoma, Wash. The company was known for the good food served in its dining cars. In 1909 the railway began serving "the Great Big Baked Potato," which became one its signature items. Company ads pictured a potato so large it hung over the edges of the plate it was on. All kinds of advertising items were made featuring the potato, including figures, inkwells, letter openers, mechanical pencils, pennants, sheet music, and spoons. The company used the slogan "The Route of the Great Big Baked Potato" for several years. Northern Pacific Railway became part of Burlington Northern in 1970.