When still in the park in the 1990s, before restoration to operation:

http://sooline.railfan.net/photos/steam ... aire94.jpg

Doesn't appear to be in too bad external condition! Wonder how she is mechanically?

She is BRAND NEW, following extensive work required from a side-swip accident.... Sadly there is nowhere for her to run....currently....

There are plenty of places she COULD run, but it appears that the group has taken an extra heavy dose of Dave's cost accounting, and they want too much for her services.

This isn't a large engine; appx. 140 tons and 36,800 lbs. TF, and it could be well suited to a captive museum operation, such as Mid-Continent, Osceola & Chippewa Valley (MTM, Minneapolis), North Shore Scenic (LSRM, Duluth) or even IRM, all of which are without steam at the moment. What the problem is, I can't say, but I imagine it's $$$$.

Meanwhile the engine sits under a tarp wiling her 1472 days away…

What happened to Duluth?

For that matter, what happened to Montana? Wasn't this engine headed for Livingston at one time?

I agree with Dennis - a nice mid-size engine. . .

Where is she sitting "under a tarp"? I remember that for a while she shared space with Soo 1003 in Altoona, Wisconsin but I think that facility was demolished for a higher social use - perhaps a Wal-Mart or something.

It was fun to watch the 2719 and 1003 team up from time to time, but I think that was primarily due to the good graces of the Wisconsin Central.

Others closer to the area know more, I'm sure.

Scott

Having completed a bit of a crash course in the Altoona Roundhouse situation - I can say that in approaching the situation, it is best to first check your existing sense of logic at the door.

In short Union Pacific demolished the roundhouse simply to reduce its liability from the site. I doubt UP will ever sell that property unless they are satisfied with the purchasing party's ability to reduce UP's long term environmental liability.

It appears that a group which has long planned to operate a tourist train to a resort in South Dakota proposed Kevin Costner's purchased the Altoona Turntable. They offered it for sale on railswap.org a few months ago. It is a pity, since there is/was a relatively intact C&NW roundhouse in Spooner, WI on the Wisconsin and Great Northern missing its turntable of the same size.

About a year ago (as I recall) I remember reading an announcement of plans to operate the 2719 with the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. Does anybody know how these talks progressed.

Remember - cost accounting is a tool like any other. Its effectiveness depends on the competence of the operator.

Tom Cornillie

So what happened to the turntable at the Altoona, Wisconsin roundhouse when this deal fell apart? Did it get sold and removed, was it left there, or was it cut up? And what size or length is/was it anyway?

I heard this again this summer, but I was just there three weeks ago, and she's not there yet. As far as I know, the engine is still at Altoona WI under a tarp.

LSRM has the use of a nice piece of railroad; the former DM&IR line along the lake from Duluth north to Two Harbors. They load right outside the LSRM museum site in downtown Duluth. It's a nice ride, and the northern 2/3 are pretty much out in the country, jointed rail all the way for that clicketty-clack effect, and the Two Harbors station is itself a museum, with a Yellowstone and a cute little Mogul displayed outside.

However, without steam, I don't see the attraction.

There was in inquiry to have the engine come to Mid-Continent. However, after anylizing the axle loadings, it was determined that the engine would overload the bridges on the line. Remember, this was a branch line to serve iron mines and a quarry. Not a main line between Chicago and Minneapolis.

Ed