Mention was made in the thread on Soo Line Pacific #2719 to Soo #1003. Just what's going on with this 2-8-2 anyway (if anything)?

Thanks.

Les

Les,

Soo 1003 currently lives in a nice indoor siding (used to be an indoor loading dock) in the building that now houses the Wisconsin Auto Museum In Hartford, WI, maybe thirty miles northwest of Milwaukee. The track is connected to an active line operated by the Wisconsin & Southern, a shortline that is, within its means, as friendly to steam operation as the Wisconsin Central Limited was. The 1003 has occasionally ventured out in recent years for local events, most recently a Santa train in early November. Other times it is viewable when the auto museum (in itself a neat place) is open. Unexpectedly, the locomotive is accessible from the SECOND floor of the museum, as the building is built against the hillside the track is on. Follow the link for more information:

http://www.sooline1003.com/

Just to add a little to Dennis' information, 1003 went out of service in September 2005 for an annual inspection, and was re-certified in November 2006. Expect to see it out and about in 2007.

JAC

I'm pleased to hear it's been running recently. Last I saw it was in Feb. while it was sleeping in the auto museum. Last time I saw it before that was that wonderful trip through the Upper Peninsula from Gladstone to Trout Lake.

Here's a video found on youtube from this year's santa train.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKefe2a5YfM

At the former Milwaukee Road roundhouse at Janesville, Wisconsin, former home of CMStP&P 4-6-0s and 2-8-0s, now used by Wisconsin & Southern.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIdqfC04 ... ed&search=