What is in Itasca?

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=167545

2719 is going to the Lake Superior Transportation Museum (Duluth - Itasca must be the interchange point). It was announced in the summer of 2005, but has taken a while to sort out the details.

JAC

Itasca is the X-CNW yard in Superior Ws. From there, it will probably go to the BNSF to be takin to the museum. or maybe the DM&IR will have to haul it part way as they are the owners of the Interstate branch which meet at Itasca.
Nice to see it on the move finally.
Tom C.

Just curious, Is the museum going to run this magnificent machine on a regular basis?

IF so, how much track to they have to operate her?

Thanks in advance for the replies.

Merry Christmas everyone,

JD Johnson, Morehead and North Fork Railroad Historian

I believe the engine is being leased for service. The Lake Superior Railroad Museum runs its operation under the name North Shore Scenic Railroad. I’m not exactly sure what the corporate organization is, but do know that the NSSR has access to some equipment in the LSRM collection for use. See these web sites for more info:

http://www.lsrm.org/Home/Home.asp

http://www.northshorescenicrailroad.org/Home/Home.asp

The NSSR runs on the former DM&IR line along the lakeshore from Duluth north to Two Harbors. This piece of railroad is now owned jointly by the two counties it runs through. The NSSR trip boards on one of the remaining outdoor tracks of the former NP depot in Duluth, which is right downtown, across the street for the public library. The remaining depot tracks are now enclosed for the LSRM display area, and the depot building is a community arts center. The trip ends up on DM&IR trackage in Two Harbors in front of the former depot there, which is also a small museum, with a Yellowstone displayed outside, along with a classic Mogul and some nineteenth century freight cars under roof. The ore dock is within view of the depot.

I had the good fortune to make the trip in the former DM&IR business car last September. It is a nice piece of railroad; jointed rail, but good rock ballast and steel bridges. The southern end of the line runs through suburban areas, but the track runs between the lake and the houses, sharing its ROW with a paved bike path. The northern end of the line is quite scenic, and passes through a couple of small towns. In all, it is a fantastic setup for a museum and its demonstration railroad, lacking, if anything, a large local population to grow the ridership. Hopefully, the added draw of steam operation will help in this department.

Thanks for the info.

-Am I remembering correctly that these folks also operated a 2-8-0 in previous years? I believe it was Duluth and Northern Minnesota #14.

Is this engine still servicable or would it need a complete 1472 day overhall to meet new FRA requirements?

Just curious since it would be cool to see some possible doubleheaders when the 2719 arrives.

JD Johnson, Morehead and North Fork Railroad Historian

JD -

The #14 was actually a 2-8-2. It was one of the engines that eventually went into the Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad system, but the railroad eventually sold it, keeping instead its fleet of 2-8-0 Consolidations.

Les

I think the 14 and the 2719 would be an odd couple, a shortline freight engine and a fast passenger.

I believe no. 14 last ran in 1998, and would need a full overhaul to run again now.

Well, I'm glad that someone else posted the definitive answer, as I am not a member of LSRM, and so the only info I have is hearsay.

I agree, but more cool would be to have Soo Line Mike 1003 visit and the two run together like they did during the "Steam in the Valley" weekend on MTM's St. Croix & Chippewa Valley line out of Ocseola, WI in the late nineties.

however, LSRM has some things that could make interesting combos, like the 2719's direct replacement, Soo Line FP-7 2500A, resplendent in the original maroon and gold paint. And, they also have 2500A's replacement from years later, after it had been relegated to freight service, Soo 700, the first of their GP-30's, and one of the International Car Co. cabooses in matching red and white paint. Three generations of Soo Line road power, all nicely restored.

I have to admit, I do have a soft spot in my heart for little D&NM 14. This little Mike filled in for Soo 1003 when the later wasn't ready in time to make its first scheduled appearance for trips out of Rhinelander, WI on the old Soo Line mainline to Sault Ste. Marie. LSRM sent D&NM 14 and Soo 2500A as a team to the rescue, but the 2500A was having it's share of problems in the wet weather, and the little Mike did most the work. This led to a stall and some spectacular slips on the hill coming out of the Flambeau River valley on the way back from Ladysmith, also some slips at speed, if you can call 20MPH speed. I drove alongside on Hwy. 8 for miles, pacing the train's ten to twenty MPH speed, much to the ire of drivers who actually wanted to use the highway to go somewhere. Heck, I just figured it was payback for all the miles I've driven stuck behind some farmer's corn picker.

A great trip, and a great show. I hope the 2719 does as well in its new venue.

I just received an e-mail that says the the 2719 was part of this mornings LTS82b east out of Altoona, WI at 8:45 this morning. Looks like she is one her way. Let's whish her a safe trip.

On the move today:

http://kb9wpc.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=589660

Doesn't look bad, considering a year of outdoor storage.

Wonder how they're handling lubrication issues enroute? From the photo it appears that the running gear is fully intact (though I may need new glasses).

I notice that the headlight, pops, whistle, etc. are removed from the locomotive.

Good question! (re: lubrication)

Being from the northeast, I've always admired DL&W steam (even despite being born three years after the death of EL) but had I grown up in Soo country I'm sure I'd love the look of their engines just as much.

Joshua

Can someone explain the design of that center driver?

Wesley

Probably an LFM (Locomotive Finished Material) Co. product. The midwestern roads were partial to their cast steel disk drivers-- LFM is in Atichison, Kansas. Yes, "is", not "was"--- LFM is now Rockwell Castings, still turning out diesel truck frames, among other things. The EMD Blomberg trucks were cast by LFM.