The SOO 2719 Rides Again!

A ride in the cab of the awesome 2719 Steam Locomotive

Exterior "chase" of the 2719 in her glory.

The Story of the SOO Line 2719s Return to Minnesota

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.”