Sleeper alert!

Multiple postings on Cloquet Terminal's Facebook page show complete Form 4 boiler work well underway for this "cosmetic" restoration. They have measured the shell and pulled all the flues. There are also numerous text comments asserting that operation is the goal.

What do you personally know of the condition of the two locomotives? Are you a funder of either project? Are you in a decision making position at LSRM?

What may seem obvious to you may not in fact be obvious.

Interesting that the discussion some time ago as to whether D&NE 28 was actually fired up or not when Cloquet Terminal first received it, seems to have ended up as an operational, rather than cosmetic, restoration of the 2-8-0.

Huzzahs to Lake Superior Railroad Museum for the decision to bring the Consolidation back to life.

Les

Where there is smoke there is fire?

It makes sense to do basic surveying and preservation work during a cosmetic restoration if there's any likelihood of operating restoration in the future. Planners will know a lot more at the beginning than if they have to tear it down again, leaving them with another pile of junk to put back together again if they find some nasty surprises. Whether or not they have any reason to need a running steam locomotive, it's a good thing to know more when the chance to learn it is available.

dave

Seems like a very good idea to do the engineering workup on the boiler even if there is no plan to restore to operation. That gives the owner the option of restoration whenever it best suits him. It makes no sense to actually restore the boiler to Part 230 standards if there is no likelihood of operation. The certification has a 15 year lifetime whether the locomotive is operated or not, so why spend the big $$$ now, only to spend it again in 15 years or less. Remember, to keep the Part 230 certification, the locomotive must be inspected and the required FRA reports filed annually even if it is not operated a single day. Otherwise the FRA will regard the "like new" locomotive as "retired" and require another expensive 1472 day inspection before it can be operated.

Full Disclosure: I am an employee of the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. I am NOT authorized to make any sort of official statement(s) regarding museum policy or decisions.

While I can't speak for the Museum as to why Duluth & Northern Minnesota #14 has not been selected for restoration, I do know (and the museum has mentioned this in both its guidebook and member's quarterly magazine) that 28's current restoration is the result of a combination of fortunate events, especially Cloquet Terminal and Sappi's generous donation of shop space and labor and BNSF's willingness to transport the locomotive from the Museum to Cloquet.

Nick Turinetti

You guys realize that the only steam operating on the North Shore Scenic, the operating arm of the LSRM, is Soo Line 2719, which is leased, and runs out of operating days at the end of this season, Right? Looks like someone is planning ahead for next year.

Dennis -

Thanks for the information on the operational status of Soo Line 2719. Certainly clarifies the reason for the restoration of D&NE 28.

Les