The "William Crooks" (a 4-4-0) was
Minnesota's first steam engine. It was owned by railroad pioneer James
J. Hill. For many years this locomotive was displayed inside the Union
Depot in downtown St. Paul.
The "William Crooks" (a 4-4-0) was
Minnesota's first steam engine. It was owned by railroad pioneer James
J. Hill. For many years this locomotive was displayed inside the Union
Depot in downtown St. Paul.
The Duluth & Northern Minnesota #14 was
restored to operating condition in the early 1990s. It was used in the movie
"Iron Will" which was filmed in the "Arrowhead" region of Minnesota in 1993.
From time to time it had operated on the North
Shore Scenic Railroad.
Duluth & Northern Minnesota No. 14 last ran at the Lake Superior Railroad
Museum in October, 1998. Today it is stored, outdoors, at the museum site
in Duluth. In the years that followed 1998, the group, unfortunately, had
no plans to run the engine again and had let it weather badly outside. As a
result, it would require quite a bit of time and money to bring the engine
into compliance with the new FRA steam rules. However, in 2001 there has
been some discussion among the museum members about the possibility of
reconditioning and restoration of number 14 to working order. There are
no solid plans yet, but with a new indoor maintenance facility on site,
a project such as this is now, at least, plausible.
Former Northern Pacific 2-6-2 No. 2435 stored outdoors at the Lake
Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth. This engine used to be on display in
a Duluth park, but was brought to the museum in the mid-1970s for display.
Nothing has ever been done to the engine, preservation wise, since it
left the park. Note the big patch in the boiler jacket below the steam
dome. Photo courtesy Jeff Terry.
Duluth & Northeastern class C-3 Consolidation number 27 is on display at
the Carlton County Fairground in Barnum, MN.
I'm sure that Brainerd is not considered part of the Iron Range
but I'm going to list this locomotive here anyway. This odd looking
tank locomotive used to operate at the tie plant in Brainerd. It is
currently on display in Lum Park. It was originally built in 1896 as a
class L-4 0-6-0switcher for the St. Paul & Duluth R.R. (absorbed into
the NP in 1901).There is one other surviving StP&D locomotive, #924,
an NP L-5 0-6-0 in Snoqualmie, WA.
Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range class C-3 2-8-0 number 347 is displayed at
the Museum of Mining in Chisholm.
Duluth & Northeastern Consolidation #16 is displayed in Fauley Park in Cloquet.
The first 5 D&IR engines were built as wood-burners. This was because from
1883 to December, 1886 there was no rail connection with the outside world
for the D&IR and coal had to be brought in by steamships. However,since the
lake freezes over every winter, there was not a year-round supply of coal. The
railroad needed to run all 12 months. If the coal ran out during the winter
it would be a problem. For this reason two passenger,two switchers, and one
freight (No.3) could burn wood for a back up. Those were the only engines
they needed during the winter months. The ore hauling engines (class G)
were thoroughly overhauled during the winter so they would be in perfect
shape for the ore season. It is likely that none of the engines actually
using wood for fuel by necessity. The one exception is possibly No. 3
during the very early stages of construction. They may have used wood in
the others to conserve coal during idle periods. Wood in Two Harbors was
readily available from the company sawmill.
One of the cylinders on No. 3 broke and seized when it was last used on
the D&NM in 1920. It was left that way and is still in that condition
today. Photo courtesy Jeff
Terry.
Today, this bridge is recognized as a National Civil Engineering Landmark.
It now serves as a pedestrian and bike trail and offers a panoramic view
of St. Anthony Falls.
In 2005 the outlook for 457 improved substantially.
Prompted by the vision of Gene Green of Texas, Friends of the 457 "Cannonball"
have worked in cooperation with the Mason City Parks Dept to do a cosmetic
restoration of the engine. This work is still in process, and a major fund
raising effort is being spearheaded by the "Friends" to provide for a shelter
roof that will be reminiscent of a depot cover, and brick platform. In the
meantime, work progresses on wiring for sound and lights. The headlamps
are operational. This season the engine was equipped with a sound system
which enabled kids of all ages to push a button and hear steam locomotive
sounds. This will be enhanced next year with a digital system and other
educational opportunities. Sales of novelty items such as T-shirts,
whistles, caps, etc and our open hours on the weekends have helped keep
the engine in the public eye while we seek funding through grants and
other sources. Donations are being sought from interested groups, civic
organizations, and individuals. Because this particular engine ranged
far and wide on the M&StL system, we hope there will be interest from
outside our immediate vicinity. We are seeking accurate info about the
backhead. Since this was one of only twelve of its kind, and appears to be
the only one left, its been tough to locate any photos. Tax deductible
donations can be sent to "Cannonball 457 Project", City of Mason City,
10 1st St. NW., Mason City, IA 50401.
They have a number of buildings used to keep most of their equipment
indoors. They have a 1895 St. Paul & Duluth depot as the memorabilia display
area of the museum. They are able to accommodate special groups such
as last year when the NP Historical Society made a trip to the museum.
This year, the Soo Line Historical Society is planning an event there.
They also have plenty of picnic ground area and picnic and parking
facilities.
The 0-4-0 Decauville at the Dalton show gets under steam. The engine is
very typical of the industrial steam power used in Europe during both World
Wars. This engine was retired sometime during the early 1960s and purchased
by an Iowa steam locomotive collector along with several others.They were
subsequently brought overseas to the US and many have found new homes on
railroads such as this one. One of the other locomotives shipped with
this one is now at Northfield, MN, on the Northfield & Cannon Valley. Photos
courtesy Jeff Terry.
The railroad that used to run to Currie was a branch line of the
CSTPM&O, (Omaha for short) that came off the main line at Bingham Lake, MN.
It went through Delft, Jeffers, Storden, Westbroke, Dovry, and ended at
Currie. Hence the museum name. The line was planned to continue to the
Pipestone Lineat Slayton but was never completed. (The Pipestone line was
another branch of the Omaha and started off the main line at Heron Lake.
It connected to the GN, Milwaukee, and Rock Island at Pipestone, but did
not go any further west.) The tracks in Currie spurred off four other lines
creating a "fork" off the main line. One was to the water tower, sand tower,
coal shed, engine house, and the turntable. The other three passed across
the road to three former grain elevators, freight line, and passenger line.
This is where the original depot once stood. It is now located across the
road in the park next to the engine house and the turntable.
Built by ALCO in 1924, no. 11 is a well-traveled locomotive. It has
operated on the Kelley Island Lime & Transport Co., Rockport, MI,
as no. 13. It was sold to A. Fivenson Iron & Metal Co. in Alpena, MI.
Starting in 1964, it operated on the Cadillac & Lake City Railroad in MI.
In 1973 it was moved to the Reese Central Railroad and Museum in Reese, MI.
In 1979 it was sold to Jerry Jacobson, Southwest Virginia Scenic Railroad
in Hiltons, VA where it was changed into a 2-4-0 and given a tender.
It then operated for two seasons on the Deadwood Central Railroad in SD.
It is currently operational. The tender that was used with this locomotive
while it was in service on the Deadwood Central is parked off in the weeds.
No. 5 is a Hibernia A.G. 0-4-0T (narrow gauge) locomotive built by
Orenstein & Koppel in 1927. It was sold in 1965 to Earl Grice in Mankato, MN.
It was sold again in 1969 to the Prairie Historical Club. It is currently
undergoing restoration in a newly built three-stall roundhouse.
This is a sister to D&NE locomotive #16. This photo appeared in a 1962
Minneapolis area paper. The caption stated that this locomotive,
number 14, was towed into Worthington, MN enroute to Hill City,
SD where it would be converted to burn oil and used by the
Black Hills Central Railroad.
I am assuming that #14 was stored in Cloquet before it made its journey to
Hill City, SD. As it turned out, #14's wheelbase was too long for the curves
on the Black Hills Central. #14 was not restored or converted to burn oil.It
was later sold to the Dodge City, Ford & Bucklin Railroad in Ford, KS.In 1999
#14 was up for
sale. It was reportedly in excellent condition. In 2000,it was seen heading
west on a flatcar on its way to the Mountain Iron
Oliver Iron Mining Co. class S-4 0-8-0 number 806 is on display in
Mountain Iron. Note the cab was rebuilt a few years ago during a cosmetic
restoration. This locomotive used to be number 64 on the Duluth, Missabe
& Northern.
Tower
Duluth & Iron Range class K-1 2-8-0 number 1218 is on
display at the Tower Train Museum in Tower. The engine looks nice from
a distance with fresh paint and lettering, but an up close inspection
reveals that it is mechanically worn out and in very poor condition.
The roof is nice from a preservation stand point, but makes photography
difficult. Note all the modern features to this relatively old and small
locomotive. The tender was short so that the engine could fit on the
turntable at Two Harbors.
Two Harbors
Duluth & Iron Range No. 3 is on display at Two Harbors. It appears to be
in very good shape considering that it has sat outdoors on exhibit since
1923. It looks somewhat like it did when it first arrived at Two Harbors in
the mid 1880s, but the headlamp is one it acquired from it's second owner,
the Duluth & Northern Minnesota.
Central Minnesota
The Minnesota Transportation Museum
The Minnesota Transportation Museum is primarily an operating museum.
It is made up of three divisions: the railroad division, the traction
division, and the steamboat division. The railroad division operates a
tourist railroad (The Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway) in Osceola, WI
(about one hour from Minneapolis/St. Paul). The traction division operates
street cars near Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. The steamboat division
operates a steamboat on Lake Minnetonka. The Minnesota Transportation
Museum web site has much more information.
Before moving their operations to Osceola, WI, the railroad division
operated a tourist railroad based in Stillwater, MN. The photo on the right
shows their Ten-Wheeler steam locomotive number 328. This locomotive was
once displayed near the riverfront in Stillwater.
The other steam locomotive at the Minnesota Transportation Museum
is an NP Pacific number 2156. 2156 was displayed for a long time
in Como Park Zoo in St. Paul. The photograph on the right shows
members of the Minnesota Railfans Association giving 2156 a paint job
while she was still located at the zoo. Currently, 2156 is partially
disassembled at the Jackson Street Roundhouse in St. Paul.
Milwaukee Road 261
The Milwaukee Road 261 was leased from the National Railroad Museum
in Green Bay, WI to North Star Rail. North Star Rail restored 261 to
operating condition and is now using it to pull excursion trains throughout
the mid-west.
These are some "before and after" photos of 261. The first photo shows
261when it was still on display in Green Bay. The second photo was
taken when 261 was being restored in the GE Apparatus Service Center in
north Minneapolis. Notice that the cab and rear truck have been removed.
The other two photos were taken at 261's current home at Minneapolis
Junction just north of downtown Minneapolis. 261 is under steam a few days
before an excursion out of Chicago. In the "portrait" photo the mars light
and fold up coupler are clearly seen. In the "builders style" photo you
will notice the vestibule cab. 261s only surviving sister engine is the 265
located at the Illinois Railway Museum.
The James J. Hill Stone Arch Bridge, Minneapolis
This great Stone Arch Bridge which spans the Mississippi River
in downtown Minneapolis, was built in 1882-83. It was a project of
the Minneapolis Union Railway Co., a belt line of the Great Northern's
forerunner, the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba. Nineteen months of heavy
construction and $6,500,000 went into this 2,100 foot-long bridge with its
graceful arches of St. Cloud granite. This photo was take from the west end
of the bridge in downtown Minneapolis, looking northeast.
The Great Northern's first Empire Builder entered service in 1929 and
is pictured here crossing the famed Stone Arch Bridge that same year.
The locomotive , No. 2517, won the "Marathon" name on its tender in 1925 by
making a fast 3,600-mile round trip between Seattle, WA, and St. Paul, MN
without requiring mechanical attention. The bridge is the only structure
on the railway on which "Empire Builder" James J. Hill permitted his
name to be inscribed. The flour mills of St. Anthony are seen in the
upper left of the photograph. This photograph was taken on the downtown
Minneapolis side of the river looking north-northeast.
At the time this bridge was built, St. Anthony was as far as river traffic
could go up-stream. Stone from which to build this bridge was readily
available. This artist's rendering of the bridge is from the east end of
the bridge, looking westward toward downtown Minneapolis. Notice in the
distance a suspension bridge. Today, that bridge has been replaced by a
new suspension bridge -- the only one crossing the Mississippi River.
Bandana Square
This is one of
several surviving Grand Trunk Western 0-8-0s. It is on display in front
of a shopping complex in St. Paul called Bandana Square. The number of
this locomotive is 8327. There is an Chaska/Annandale
This is a rare photo of the locomotive that used to be displayed in Chaska at
the site of the former Klein Brick yards. This locomotive was purchased from
the M&StL by the Kleins back when they were still actively making bricks back
in the 1940s. One report says that it was used for switching at the Klein
Brick yards. Another report says that it was used exclusively for heating
water and was located near the old circular kilns of orange firebrick which
is probably correct since I don't know that there were any railroad tracks
on the Klein property in which it could switch. It has one surviving
sister locomotive in Mason City, IA. The date of this photo is 1956.
Marlene Paal (Myskevitz) from Chaska is pictured standing on the locomotive.
This is the only surviving sister locomotive to M&StL 471. It is class
H5-42 M&StL 457 currently on display in East Park, Mason City, IA. It was
last used in service by the American Crystal Sugar Company in Mason City
who donated it to the city after its retirement. For many years it sat
on display in very poor condition. It hadn't been painted in over a decade
and the headlight was broken. At least the boiler jacketing had been removed.
Around 1968, 471 was purchased by Don Lind. In February 1973, it was
moved to his property in Annandale. I believe that Mr. Lind intended to
create a museum called the Minnesota & Western Railroad Museum.
I don't believe this museum ever materialized. Reports indicate that
471 and one other locomotive are rusting away at their current location.
These rare photos were clipped from the Chaska paper on February 22, 1973.
I have a special interest in this locomotive because Chaska is where I
grew up. I used to play on this locomotive. If anyone could supply me
with any other photos of this locomotive I would really appreciate it.
A third M&StL locomotive of the same class (number 452) was used at the American Crystal Sugar factory in Chaska through
1958. I have also been told that the M&StL used to send this locomotive to
the sugar factory each fall for switching duties during the "campaign".
452 may have also been used on "steam specials" out of Minneapolis.
Being the last M&StL steam locomotive in service, 452 was scrapped around
1966 or 1967. If anyone has any information on number 452 (like where it
was between 1958 and the time of its scrapping) or steam operations at the
Chaska Sugar Factory, please let me know. Photos courtesy Larry Wigfield.
This photo of M&StL 451
was taken at a coal field in Peoria, IL.451 is a sister to 452. Careful
inspection of this photo will reveal a tender booster on the rear tender
truck.Photo courtesy Larry Wigfield.
This has nothing to do with steam locomotives. However, it does
have something to do with Chaska and the Klein Brick yards, and besides,
I find it very interesting. Years ago there were five "clay holes"
in Chaska(today, four of them remain). One of these "clay holes" is
located just east of Hwy 41 north of downtown Chaska. They were created
by the Klein Brick company. Cranes would be used to excavate areas
(pits) where good brick-making clay was found. Sooner or later, a natural
spring would be "found". As the water began to fill up the "clay hole",
the digging equipment had to be moved out of the hole. As a child, I
remember seeing the boom of a crane poking out of the water of the center
of this "clay hole". Some people didn't believe me. I began doubting my
own memory. Then, in2001, my mom finds this photo. It shows the crane
at the bottom of this"clay hole" well before it was covered.
Ironhorse Central Railroad Museum
Ironhorse
Central Railroad Museum is located near Chisago City and Lindstrom. There
are two 0-4-0T locomotives formerly owned by Dresser Trap Rock of Dresser,
WI at the Ironhorse Central. The photo on the right appeared in an article
written by Marlin Bree for a 1969 issue of Picture Magazine. The photo
was taken by Kent Kobersteen.
This 0-4-0 was built in Pittsburgh by the H. K. Porter
Co. in 1923.It was run for a while in Chicago, then sold to the
Tallassee Power Co. in Calderwood, TN. In 1931, the Dresser Trap Rock
Company bought the locomotive. It was still operating in 1963 when Bob
and Dick Thompson of the Ironhorse Central bought the locomotive for
$1,250. Number 4 is still operable and was steamed up in 1999. It has
had its saddle tank removed and currently tows a D&NE tender. Number 1
is currently stored awaiting repairs. They also have a mile of track and
several pieces of rolling stock.Present day photos at right courtesy Todd Lindahl.
Dalton
This little 2' gauge 0-4-0T runs the weekend after Labor Day during the annual
show of the Lake Region Pioneer Thresherman's Association at Dalton,MN.
It is very unique as it was constructed by the Decauville firm of Paris,
France in 1914. It is the only locomotive built by Decauville in North
America. During the summer of 2000 it was completely overhauled by members
of the Thresherman's association, and repainted. The tender is home built
and used to provide extra coal.
Willmar
Great Northern class P-2 Mountain (4-8-2) #2523 is located at the 1869 Great
Northern Station, the home of the Kandiyohi County Historical Society.
This locomotive is a survivor of the steam engines acquired by the Great
Northern Railway to speed up mainline passenger service.It was placed on
permanent display on October 17th, 1967. The P-2 class was inaugurated
as the Empire Builder in June of 1929. Number 2523 is the last of 28
locomotives built for the Great Northern by the Baldwin Locomotive Works.
After these engines were replaced by the more powerful S-2 class locomotives,
the P-2 engines were used in freight service and were retired in 1955.
Locomotive and tender are 94 feet 6 1/4 inches in length, weigh 617,000
pounds and stand 15 feet 10 inches from rail to the top of the stack.
No. 2523 was an oil burner and could exert 57,580 pounds of tractive effort.
The drive wheels are 73 inches in diameter.
Southwestern Minnesota Steam
End-O-Line Railroad Park, Currie
Tucked away in the small town of Currie is an amazing
collection of railroad-related buildings, scale trains, a turntable, engine
house and Georgia Northern ten-wheeler 102. 102 used to be displayed
at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL. In 1995, the ten-wheeler
was undergoing a cosmetic restoration as shown in the photo on the left.
The other two photos show 102 as it looks in 1999. The photo on the right
shows the manual turntable (which is on the National Register of Historic
Places) in the foreground, the engine house, the depot, and GAN 102.
The track/roadbed on which 102 is sitting looks authentic.
Wheels Across the Prairie Museum, Tracy
An 0-6-0 is displayed at the Wheels Across the Prairie Museum in Tracy.
It is a class B-4 Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sioux Ste. Marie locomotive built
by ALCO in 1915. It was used in the St. Paul yards to haul coal to the
Northern States Power Plant. Upon retirement, it was sold to a restaurant
owner in Rochester, MN where it became part of the Depot House Restaurant.
It was later sold to the Salvation Army in Rochester and displayed near
an outlet store. In 1990 it was sold to the Mt. Pleasant Shop Services.
Finally, on April 4th, 1990, it was sold to the Wheels Across the Prairie
Museum and moved to its current location on Thanksgiving of that year.
The balloon stack and pilot were added by the museum people to make the
locomotive look more "attractive".
Prairie Village, Madison, SD
I know that Prairie Village is not in Minnesota. However, it is only a
short drive across the South Dakota border. Prairie Village is located
on Hwy 34 & 81just west of Madison. Prairie Village is a 140 acre site
containing historic buildings and equipment. There is an oval of standard
gauge track running around the site. They have three steam locomotives,
two of which are operational.
No. 29 is a Duluth & North Eastern 0-6-0 built by Lima in 1944. At the
time of my visit, it appeared to need a lot of attention. During the summer
of 2001,the flues were replaced. It is scheduled to be running August, 2001.
Southern Minnesota Steam
Austin
Milwaukee Road class G8 Ten-Wheeler (4-6-0) 1004 is on
display at a museum at the Austin fairgrounds. 1004 has a pole barn built
around it so you can't see it at all unless the museum at the fair grounds
is open. There is also a caboose and a couple passenger cars on display.
The museum is open from 10am- 4pm Monday through Saturday.
Northfield & Cannon Valley, Northfield
This is one of two small locomotives that operate in Northfield on the
Northfield & Cannon Valley. 504 was built by Skoda in 1941. It is a
600mm gauge 0-4-0. The photo on the left was taken in October, 2000 by John Archibald.
Heritage Halls, Owatonna
This is a standard gauge 2-4-4T. It is number 201 and
used to run on the Illinois Central. Photo courtesy JohnArchibald.
Other Minnesota Web Pages
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