Soo Line 2719 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Soo Line 2719 |
|
 |
|
| Soo Line No. 2719 steams into Two Harbors, Minnesota on September 20, 2009 | |
| Power type | Steam |
|---|---|
| Builder | American Locomotive Company (ALCO) |
| Serial number | 64314 |
| Model | H-23 |
| Build date | May 1923 |
| Total production | 6 |
| Configuration | 4-6-2 |
| UIC classification | 2′C1′ h2 |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Leading wheel diameter | 36 in (914 mm) |
| Driver diameter | 75 in (1,905 mm) |
| Trailing wheel diameter | 50 in (1,270 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 31 ft 10 in (9.70 m) |
| Length | Loco: 46 ft 7+1⁄2 in (14.21 m), Loco & tender: 82 ft 6+3⁄4 in (25.17 m) |
| Width | 10 ft 5 in (3.18 m) |
| Height | 15 ft 3+1⁄2 in (4.66 m) |
| Weight on drivers | 172,400 lb (78,200 kilograms; 78.2 tonnes) |
| Locomotive weight | 281,080 lb (127,500 kilograms; 127.50 tonnes) |
| Locomotive and tender combined weight | 497,080 lb (225,470 kilograms; 225.47 tonnes) |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| Fuel capacity | 35,000 lb (16,000 kilograms; 16 tonnes) |
| Water capacity | 12,000 US gal (45,000 L; 10,000 imp gal) |
| Boiler pressure | 200 lbf/in2 (1.38 MPa) |
| Feedwater heater | Worthington SCA-2A |
| Fire grate area | 52.75 sq ft (4.901 m2) |
| Heating surface: Flues | 3,172 sq ft (294.7 m2) |
| Heating surface: Firebox | 207 sq ft (19.2 m2) |
| Heating surface: Total | 4,639 sq ft (431.0 m2) |
| Superheater area | 1,260 sq ft (117 m2) |
| Cylinders | Two, outside |
| Cylinder size | 25 in × 26 in (635 mm × 660 mm) |
| Valve gear | Walschaerts |
| Valve type | Piston valves |
| Tractive effort | 36,833 lbf (163.84 kN) |
| Factor of adhesion | 4.68 |
| Number in class | 2 of 6 |
| Locale | Wisconsin and Minnesota, United States |
| Delivered | May 1923 |
| Retired | June 21, 1959 (revenue service) September 2013 (excursion service) |
| Restored | 1996–1998 |
| Current owner | Lake Superior Railroad Museum |
| Disposition | On static display, based in Duluth, Minnesota |
|
Soo Line Locomotive 2719
|
|
| Location | Duluth, Minnesota |
| Built by | American Locomotive Company |
| NRHP reference No. | 93001453 |
| Added to NRHP | January 10, 1994 |
Soo Line 2719 is a special steam locomotive known as a "Pacific" type. It was built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in 1923. This powerful engine was used by the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railway (also called the "Soo Line") to pull passenger trains.
No. 2719 is famous for hauling the Soo Line's very last steam-powered train in 1959. After its working days, it was put on display. Later, it was brought back to life to pull special excursion trains for people to enjoy. Today, you can see this historic locomotive on display in Duluth, Minnesota.
Contents
The Story of Soo Line 2719
No. 2719 was built in May 1923 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in Schenectady, New York. It was one of six "Pacific" class steam locomotives made for the Soo Line. These engines were designed to be fast and strong for passenger service.
The 2719 worked hard for the Soo Line until the mid-1950s. It then had a major check-up and was stored away. In 1959, it was brought out again for a very special job. It pulled the last steam trains on the Soo Line's tracks. It's believed that the 2719 traveled over 3 million miles during its time with the Soo Line! After this, the locomotive was given to the City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It was proudly displayed in Carson Park until 1996.
Exciting Journeys: The Excursion Years
In 1996, people started raising money to fix up the 2719. A group called the Locomotive and Tower Preservation Fund, Ltd. worked hard to restore it. They finished the restoration quickly, and the train ran again on September 19, 1998. It even ran with two other historic steam engines!
The 2719 didn't have its own museum at first. So, it traveled to different places and ran on various railroad tracks. In June 2000, it moved to the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad in Spooner. It pulled trains there during the summers.
After 2003, the 2719 faced a tough time. Its storage building was taken down, and the locomotive was left outside in the weather. Luckily, in December 2006, the 2719 found a new home. It moved to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, Minnesota.
After more work, the engine was tested in August 2007. It successfully ran a test trip from Duluth to Two Harbors, Minnesota. From 2007 to 2013, Soo Line 2719 regularly pulled fun excursion trains for visitors. In May 2013, it even met another famous steam engine, Milwaukee Road 261, for the first time!
The 2719's special operating permit was set to expire in 2013. It pulled its last excursion on September 14, 2013. The plan was to give it a big 15-year rebuild. However, due to some disagreements about who owned it, the locomotive was instead put on display at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. In June 2015, the museum officially bought the 2719.
Why Soo Line 2719 is Important
The 2719 holds a special place in history. It was the locomotive that pulled the very last steam-powered train for the Soo Line. This trip happened on June 21, 1959, between Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Ladysmith, Wisconsin.
It also has the honor of being the last steam engine to operate out of Ladysmith, Wisconsin, on the old Soo Line tracks in 2001. After being stored again in 2003, talks began to move it to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, Minnesota. With help from the L&TPF, Ltd., the museum moved the locomotive in December 2006. The museum then operated the 2719 through its North Shore Scenic Railroad.
Since 2013, the 2719 has been on display at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. In 2019, it was displayed outside for the first time. It was shown with another engine, Duluth and Northern Minnesota 14, to welcome Union Pacific 4014 during its visit to Duluth.
Who Owns the Locomotive?
Over the years, there have been many discussions about who should own and care for the 2719. The Lake Superior Railroad Museum decided to restore a different steam locomotive they owned. This meant they put off plans to get the 2719 running again.
This led to the Locomotive & Tower Preservation Fund (L&TPF) looking for other options for the 2719. In 2015, the L&TPF offered to sell the 2719 back to the City of Eau Claire for just $1. The city would also need to pay for a shelter for the locomotive. The museum was surprised by this news.
The City of Eau Claire tried to raise money to bring the locomotive back, but it was difficult. The L&TPF then said they would look for other buyers if the city didn't want it.
After more talks, the City of Eau Claire, the L&TPF, and the Lake Superior Railroad Museum reached an agreement. On June 9, 2015, the locomotive was sold from the city to the LSRM. As part of the deal, the city had the right to buy the locomotive back for three years. The museum also agreed to create signs for the spot where the locomotive used to be displayed in Eau Claire.
In June 2018, the City of Eau Claire voted to extend their right to buy back the locomotive until 2019. They then bought it back from Duluth for $4 in August. The city explored ways to bring the locomotive back to Eau Claire.
However, in April 2019, the city realized how expensive it would be to move and protect the locomotive. So, they decided to look for new options, like leasing or selling it. The museum in Duluth and the city council began new talks.
Finally, on October 22, 2019, the Eau Claire City Council voted to sell the locomotive back to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum for $8. Everyone hopes that the museum will be able to get the 2719 running again someday!
Other H-23 Class Locomotives
Six H-23 class locomotives were built in May 1923. Only two of them, 2719 and 2718, are still around today.
- 2718 - You can see this one at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
- 2720 - This locomotive was taken apart for scrap metal in 1951.
- 2721 - This one was also scrapped in 1950.
- 2722 - This locomotive was scrapped in 1954.
- 2723 - This one was scrapped in 1950, just like 2721.
Images for kids
-
Soo Line 2719 on display at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum
-
No. 2719 stopping at Duluth Depot in front of Duluth and Northern Minnesota 2-8-2 No. 14
