Soo Line 1003 Engine Runby

[Petemonster62]

Wouldn't be cool if 1003 was able to do fan trips all over the former Soo Line. Just to think if she pulled a train along the Brooten MN to Superior WI line before it was abandoned. The drivers on Interstate 94 staring as she crossed over them on the combination wood trestle/steel girder & concrete pier bridge by Albany MN!. Or the steel trestle on 4-lane Highway 10 south of Little Falls MN!

[midnightgeek]

@Petemonster62 That would be nice but it looks like the days for the 1003 are numbered unless they can find someone with deep pockets. It sounds like they broke a pipe that goes from the fire box to the smoke box and the temporary repair can only be used for 30 days. Likely their Santa train run in early November 2010 will be the last time the 1003 runs.

[midnightgeek]

I enjoyed my time working on the engine in the past and it is with great sadness I was just notified of the following.

Press Release from 1003 Operations November 1, 2010:

Last Chance to see SOO 1003 in operation!

The Nov. 13, 2010 Santa Train appearance in Hartford, WI is SOO Line steam

locomotive 1003’s last run under its 15 year Federal Railway Administration 1472

service day inspection and “authorization” which was completed in 1996.

... press release continues with more historical info.

[Petemonster62]

1003 must run fan trips around it's home base; does it ever venture onto the Soo?

[midnightgeek]

@Petemonster62

It can only go about 60 miles without needing to pickup another 10000 gallons of water so it never goes that far with a mostly volunteer crew. They are making a run from Hartford, Wisconsin to Edgerton, Wisconsin starting 10-21-2010 so they can make it to Edgerton for their book festival this weekend. From the picture at wikipedia's article for Soo Line Railroad it looks like they will be spending some time on the Soo's green and dark blue lines.

[gaycowboy31]

wow that is a beautifull sight

[BordiniBlues85]

a beautiful mikado..! peace from brazil

[RichardSwayne]

All-American Mikado.

[Trainmasterryan]

this is like 5 miles from my house. they recently just redid the tracks through hartford and slinger so now there are more trains which are longer and faster through this section of track.

[lvanciel]

i seen about 50 but will always remember when i first seen a steamer DAMN IT FREAKED THE CRAP OUT OF ME BUT LOVED IT AND LOVED THEM EVER SNICE I WAS 4

[RichardSwayne]

Nice locomotive, love the caboose

[JimTLonW6]

Good to see this engine goes forwards too! (see Soo line 1003 ... in reverse!)