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Historic Steam
Locomotive Returns to Duluth!
Steam locomotive #2719 has returned to Duluth/Superior, an area she
served well during her working career on the Soo Line Railroad. The
high stepping Pacific 4-6-2 pulled passenger and freight trains from the Twin
Ports to depots and yards throughout the Midwest. Built in 1923, the
engine carried troops to WW II and the Korean War and ran until 1959, growing
old as the last working steam engine in Wisconsin.
Restored to running order by the Locomotive and Tower Preservation Fund,
Ltd. the engine’s last excursion run was in 2003. It had been
stored outside in Altoona, Wisconsin since then. In 2005 the L&TPF
entered into negotiations with the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth to
move the engine north for inside storage, further restoration and eventual
operation on the North Shore Scenic Railroad.
On Sunday evening, December 17, 2006 at 6:45PM, the engine arrived in
Duluth after a two-week move from Altoona over the Union Pacific and Canadian
National Railroads.
L&TPF, Ltd. President Randy Lambertus and Lake Superior Railroad
Museum Executive Director Ken Buehler want to thank the many individuals and
organizations that contributed time, resources and expertise in this huge
endeavor to move the locomotive from Altoona to Duluth.
This unpublicized movement was carefully planned to minimize disruption
to the railroad companies and their personnel. Safety was the primary
goal for all of the involved organizations and to ensure that objective, the
various participants did not announce this movement in advance.
During 2005 the historical organizations came to a mutual agreement
that provided for an open-ended lease of Soo Line #2719 to the Lake Superior
Railroad Museum for operation on the North Shore Scenic Railroad. The
steam locomotive will be used in a series of special events during the normal
NSSR operating season beginning in the spring of 2007.
Behind the scenes many different and diverse parties worked together to
achieve this remarkable event. Starting in the spring of 2006 the #2719
was prepared for its movement by attending to maintenance activities required
by the Federal Railway Administration. The L&TPF, Ltd. volunteers
worked many weekends and summer evenings providing examinations, repairs and
testing in order to meet a deadline for movement to Minnesota by the end of
the year.
Activities included separating the tender and locomotive to inspect and
repair light damage to the stocker mechanism, removing the main and valve
pistons from the cylinders in order to ensure that maximum safe speeds could
be achieved on the various rail lines, successfully passing an FRA
certification of the boiler pressure vessel, and thoroughly scrutinizing,
adjusting, and lubricating the locomotive to prevent any potential
breakdowns.
In parallel the LSRM and L&TPF accompanied the locomotive both
onboard the train and along the way with dedicated chase teams carrying spare
parts and tools. These individuals monitored the locomotive status and
regularly lubricated the running gear to prevent damage or unexpected delays
to railroad operations.
The two groups wish to thank the following organizations and their
staffs who were instrumental in the transfer of the engine from Altoona to
its new home in Duluth; the Union Pacific Railroad, the Canadian National
Railroad, the Burlington Northern Railroad, the Minneapolis Office of the
Federal Railway Administration, the city of Eau Claire, the State of
Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the mechanical consulting
professionals of Steam Operations Corporation of Birmingham, Alabama, the
Chippewa Valley Railroad Association, and last but not least the small group
of tireless volunteers who furnished their precious time and patience
in order to guarantee a successful journey for #2719.
While the locomotive will remain in the ownership of the Locomotive and
Tower Preservation Fund, Ltd, it is leased to the North Shore Scenic Railroad
and Lake Superior Railroad Museum for operation on the Lakefront Line of the
NSSR. When not in operation it will be on display in the Lake Superior
Railroad Museum and the St. Louis County Heritage & Arts Center, the
Depot, in Downtown Duluth.
The American Locomotive Company (ALCO) built #2719 in Schenectady, New
York. It lead an impressive career and was used on several company
sponsored steam excursions in the early 1960’s. Prior to her
celebrity status, the engine regularly worked out of Duluth and Superior
running ahead of the Soo Line’s popular and all Pullman Class night
train between Duluth and Chicago, The Laker.
“After so many years and so many miles it’s good to know
that the last operating steam locomotive on the Soo Line Railroad is back
home in Duluth,” said LSRM Executive Director Ken Buehler, “Our
plans are to run the engine in several exciting excursions over the coming
summer so that fans of steam can experience a unique experience from the
Golden Age of Railroading.”
For updates visit www.lsrm.org or www.2719.com.
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