STEAM ENGINES BY THE NUMBERS

By Ken Buehler

Ironically the first steam engine restored to operating condition by the Lake Superior Railroad Museum was MN Steel’s “Seven Spot” (#7) the second was the D&NM #14 and the one just finished is the D&NE #28. If that numeric progression holds true, in about forty years the Museum will probably restore an engine numbered fifty six.

The numbers on the Duluth & Northeastern #28 are:

• 1906 the year it was built for the Duluth, Missabe & Northern Railroad

• 1955 the year it was sold to the Duluth & Northeastern Railroad in Cloquet, MN

• 1964 the year it was retired, but still used for special excursions

• 1974 the year it was donated to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum

• 2-8-0 “Consolidation”

• 2 steam powered air pumps needed for longer iron ore trains in winter

• Five years to rebuild the engine starting in 2011

• $750,000 the cost in time & materials and donated labor and in-kind services to restore #28 to working order

• 15 years on the current FRA boiler license. 2017 the FIRST YEAR of service on the North Shore Scenic Railroad

Restoring a steam engine is a commitment that few tourist railroads or museums can afford to undertake due to the very specialized knowledge necessary to do the work and the daunting amount of money the project consumes. In the case of the #28 the work came in under the normal one million dollar price tag due to partners such as; SAPPI Paper Company in Cloquet, Cloquet Terminal RR, Fraser Shipyards, Superior, the Heat & Frost Insulators-Asbestos Workers Union, A.W. Kuettel & Sons, Arrowhead Autobody, Cragin’s Machine Shop, ILS, BNSF, Friends of the #261, US Bank, John E. Daly Foundation, St. Louis & Lake Counties Regional Rail Authority and hundreds of donors and volunteers. Bob Purcell headed up the project for the Museum and Railroad.

This is why there are only about 150 operating steam locomotives in North America. These working relics are memories of how railroading grew up with our nation and are historic testimonials to how railroads keep America strong and moving today.

What makes the restoration of the

RIGHT: Before being sold to the Duluth & Northeastern in Cloquet, the #28 was the #332 and is seen here on her home rails of the Duluth, Missabe & Northern RR. This is a mixed train carrying both freight and passengers.

BELOW: Luke from Fraser Shipyards is working inside the firebox installing new tubes to the boiler. Rebuilding a steam engine is hard work and the skills necessary to do it are difficult to come by these days. The Museum wants to thank all its partners and volunteers who worked on, and donated to, the restoration of the #28. Photo by Tim Schandel.

#28 so unique is that very few operating locomotives today are anywhere near their home railroads. They have migrated with time to other museums and tourist lines. In the case of this engine her entire operating career was here in Northern Minnesota were she is still working today.

It’s going to be a busy summer for the #28. She is scheduled to pull trains between Duluth and Two Harbors on several Steam Weekends extending into the popular Fall Colors Season. You may be riding on our steam train right now. If so, you are supporting the work of the Museum and our partners and volunteers who made this ride possible. Thank you very much!

If you would like to ride with the #28 visit duluthtrains.com for schedules and to book your tickets.