I was in Colfax, WI for business, and took a few photos of the equipment at the Colfax Railroad Museum. They can be found at the following link: http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=4054160&a=32271536
I don't know any details about the equipment, but Herb Sakalaucks(sp?) from the museum, posts on this forum, and can probably add some details.

Very nice photos! I had heard that the Colfax museum had a couple of electric locomotives but had never seen any photos. They appear to be narrow gauge dockside car pushers - anyone have any idea where they're from?

I didn't see any electric locomotives. I did see a very tired looking industrial switcher and two former Milwaukee Road flangers (home rebuilt from steam locomotive tenders. If there are electric locomotives where are they? Thanks.

Michael Seitz

Small red and orange electric locos, coupled together, center of photo 12:
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4054160&a=32271536&p=74644436

Herb told me they came from Canada, but as I had little interest in them, I forgot exactly where he said.

Just back from a VERY busy weekend of work at the museum.
Here's an update of the equipment at the museum and their status:
Soo Line caboose #276- Restoration to originalcondition just about complete, some minor interior work on a bench and seat still need to be done.
Soo Line caboose #253 modernized-original condition as it came from the railroad. Scheduled for body work and painting/lettering next year.
Soo Line Outside braced Fowler boxcar-restored. Will be used for displays next year.
SooLine Coach #991-restored. Freshening of the lettering on the south side is set for next summer. Used to display uniform collection and miscellaneous items.
Milw Road Flanger-Starting to work on removing old paint and rust. Hope to have in primer next summer.
Milw Road Bay window caboose-unrestored, needs some metal work on lower edges prior to restoration.
DSS&A #583 Caboose- In restoration. New window sashes completed this summer and should be installed this fall. Completion of the interior is on track for the fall of 2007.
Two GE narrow gauge electrics- These came from a paper plant in Oregon/Washington region. We have the first primer coat on one and are making new wooden pantograph poles for both locomotives. Hope to have the first repainted next year.
Soo Line GP 30- We had the engine to the point of hand turning when we found that CN cut the injector shaft sometime prior to it's donation. Cosmetic restoration should start late next summer.
Vulcan Diesel-Just arrived. Still evaluating for restoration.
MN&S #018 Caboose- Just arrived. Installed new wood roof sheathing and rubber roof this week. Hope to replace rotten sheathing by the end of August and make new windows over the winter.
NP #950 coach- Starting to restore lower car siding and install replacement truss rods. Scheduled for start of window fabrication this Fall/Winter. Should have some painting done this fall to seal the lower siding. At least two years until the exterior is completed.
Maha Route #301 Mail Car- We are awaiting word from the Park Service on a grant for restoration on this 1880's car. We have obtained parts for restoring the underbody and trucks and have new doors awaiting installation. We are looking for ANY paint data/lettering data and photos of this car.

Herb Sakalaucks
Chairman, Colfax Railroad Museum
715-225-0688

Sorry about the typo, Soo Line cabooses are #273 and #256.

colfaxstation wrote, "Just back from a busy weekend of work at the museum. DSS&A #583 Caboose- In restoration. New window sashes completed this summer and should be installed this fall. Completion of the interior is on track for the fall of 2007."


Hi Herb,

Is this the caboose that Don Lind had at Annandale?

The Museum has DSS&A 580 as well, doesn't it?

Thanks, Roger

Thank Boyd for pointing them out. They are SMALL! Any idea of gauge? (I'd be surprised if they were bigger than 24"). Considering the size and variety of the collection, they are doing a very good job with it. Keep up the good work.

Michael Seitz

Thanks for the update Herb.

Nice report and sounds like a very active group. Seems to me I went through Colfax once and as I remember, it is halfway to the North Pole with a monument in town at 45 degrees north latitude. Is the Museum collection on the cold side or warm side of the 45th parallel?

Bob Kutella

As Roger so aptly pointed out, its DSS&A 580, not 583, at the museum. As for the gauge on the electrics they are 3'. Basically a GE power truck with a cab and a pantograph. And we are on the warm?? side of the 45th.
(Just don't ask me when I'm out there working on car siding in January and it's -5 degrees, although the bitter cold is the best time to work on waterlogged cars because the cold freeze dries them and precipitation can be swept off).
Herb

PS: Anyone interested in the mechanics of moving a passenger is welcome to check back on our planned move of a Milwaukee baggage from Rockford the first full week of November. Visitors are welcome.

Herb:

Thanks for the info. The last time I was up in Rockford, there were two Milwaukee Road baggage cars there as I recall. Which one are you getting at Colfax? Also, is it being moved by rail on its own wheels, by rail on a flat car or by truck?

Les

We're getting the car in the middle of the group. The other two cars are scheduled to go to a private party in the area. we will be shipping by truck. It's a whole lot cheaper than shipping via CN. Since CN took out our switch without notifying us, we have no rail access any more. Even with the siding, it was still cheaper to ship railroad cars by truck than pay the tariff that CN was charging.