Soo Line 2-8-0 headed to Michigan and a return to steam

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NS3322
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Soo Line 2-8-0 headed to Michigan and a return to steam

Unread post by NS3322 »

I am confused. What is the engine's future purpose? Tourist service?
Trains Magazine wrote:CHISAGO CITY, Minn. — Minnesota’s Ironhorse Railroad Park has sold former Soo Line 2-8-0 No. 2425 to Mineral Range Inc., operator of the Mineral Range Railroad in Ishpeming, Mich. The locomotive has been stored at the museum since its acquisition in 2009. Despite being on outdoor display for more than 60 years, the Consolidation is in good mechanical condition and an excellent candidate for restoration.

No. 2425 was built in October 1909 by the American Locomotive Co.’s Schenectady Works for the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie (Soo Line) as No. 475, which was part of an order for six 2-8-0s numbered 473 through 478. However, at the time of its construction Soo Line had leased the Wisconsin Central, and No. 475 was renumbered into the Wisconsin Central number series and diverted to that railroad as No. 2425.

Consolidations were the workhorse locomotives of the Wisconsin Central and Soo Line, and they were used on the main line, for yard switching, and in branch line service. Over her long career No. 2425 worked out of Minneapolis; Schiller Park, Ill.; Stevens Point, Wis., and numerous other locations on the system; its last assignment being at Enderlin, N.D., from 1952 until 1954.

The locomotive was retired in January 1955 and donated to the city of Enderlin on July 21. It sat on display in Baxter Park until the mid-1990s when the city became concerned about its deteriorating condition, which included exposed asbestos boiler insulation. The city eventually built a large shed around the engine, which was completely sealed up with no access door, while they contemplated how to dispose of it.

Erik Thompson of the Ironhorse Central in 2005 contacted the city about acquiring the 2-8-0. A panel of the shed was removed and an inspection was performed in February 2008. “I had no clue what the condition of the boiler was, but the engine was basically complete and I thought she was a worthy candidate to save,” Thompson said. “And, besides, I didn’t want to see it cut up.”

Thompson made a proposal to purchase the 2-8-0 in 2008, and after Enderlin’s city government consulted with area residents, it decided to sell No. 2425 with the condition that the museum had less than a year to remove it. After its asbestos was removed by a contractor, the locomotive and tender were disconnected, and the boiler was separated from the chassis. It was loaded onto four semi-trucks for the trip to Chisago City, Minn., in July 2009.

Although No. 2425 was primarily purchased to save it from being scrapped and was intended to become a static display in Minnesota, it was found to be in surprisingly good condition with a sound boiler, and when the chance came up to send it to a home where it could be restored to operation the museum decided to sell it. Mineral Range is currently preparing the locomotive for the move to the Upper Peninsula, which is expected to take place in early September 2018. The new owners intend to return it to service.

GAP
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Re: Soo Line 2-8-0 headed to Michigan and a return to steam

Unread post by GAP »

Very interesting. I believe this is the same owner that recently sold the C&NW 175 to the Steam Railroad Institute. It will be interesting to see if either engine actually makes it to steam again.

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Re: Soo Line 2-8-0 headed to Michigan and a return to steam

Unread post by MQT1223 »

I will be interested to see what happens to this engine as well and why the 175 was allowed to sit yet this engine will suddenly breathe life.

If he needed passenger stock, one could always lease from the E&LS. Could even run on the E&LS if you can get there I'd imagine.
1223 OUT! President and Founder of the Buck Creek Central, the Rolling River Route! (2012-2017) President and Founder of the Lamberton Valley Railroad, The Tin Plate Road! Proudly railfanning with Asperger's since 1996. :)

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NS3322
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Re: Soo Line 2-8-0 headed to Michigan and a return to steam

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Any updates on this?

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Doktor No
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Re: Soo Line 2-8-0 headed to Michigan and a return to steam

Unread post by Doktor No »

NS3322 wrote:Any updates on this?
Nope.
Curb Your Enthusiasm.

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NS3322
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Re: Soo Line 2-8-0 headed to Michigan and a return to steam

Unread post by NS3322 »

Doktor No wrote:
NS3322 wrote:Any updates on this?
Nope.
I reached out to the Ironhorse Railroad Park, and they told me that Vreeland decided to wait until spring to move it.

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Doktor No
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Re: Soo Line 2-8-0 headed to Michigan and a return to steam

Unread post by Doktor No »

See what happens when you do your own research? Answers happen.
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NS3322
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Re: Soo Line 2-8-0 headed to Michigan and a return to steam

Unread post by NS3322 »

The #2425 finally left the Ironhorse Railroad Park yesterday! It is bound for the Mineral Range shops in Ishpeming.

The tender for #2425 (which is actually from 2426) will remain behind and will stay in the Ironhorse collection. Apparently moving costs exceeded value.

Photos and information from the Ironhorse Railroad Park Facebook page.
68485218_2384490871632347_8428864560961683456_n.jpg
68787335_2384490971632337_1320530056417640448_n.jpg
69292310_2384490328299068_7423951984471834624_n.jpg

i995impalass
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Re: Soo Line 2-8-0 headed to Michigan and a return to steam

Unread post by i995impalass »

Landed at the MR 8/21. Tender has been at the Blueberry for a few weeks. Rumor is it will be restored and ran. I'll believe it when I see it, but for now it made it to the new residence in Ishpeming.

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Re: Soo Line 2-8-0 headed to Michigan and a return to steam

Unread post by MQT1223 »

NS3322 wrote:The #2425 finally left the Ironhorse Railroad Park yesterday! It is bound for the Mineral Range shops in Ishpeming.

The tender for #2425 (which is actually from 2426) will remain behind and will stay in the Ironhorse collection. Apparently moving costs exceeded value.

Photos and information from the Ironhorse Railroad Park Facebook page.
68485218_2384490871632347_8428864560961683456_n.jpg
68787335_2384490971632337_1320530056417640448_n.jpg
69292310_2384490328299068_7423951984471834624_n.jpg
A spare Vanderbilt tender in better condition has been acquired from Mid-Continent Railway Museum and will be behind the 2425.

Curious as to his plans for the locomotive beyond operation, since the 175 sat for so long.
1223 OUT! President and Founder of the Buck Creek Central, the Rolling River Route! (2012-2017) President and Founder of the Lamberton Valley Railroad, The Tin Plate Road! Proudly railfanning with Asperger's since 1996. :)

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