#2719 is a restored Pacific type locomotive (4-
It is stored at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, MN, on lease from the Locomotive and Tower Preservation Fund, Ltd. It began making excursions for the North Shore Scenic Railroad in September 2007.
Lake Superior Museum is based in the old Duluth Union Station building and has a great collection. You can see the mighty DMI&R Yellowstone #227 which is housed in the museum on the Yellowstones page of this website.
DMI&R Yellowstone #229 is on display across the street. You can see more of #229 on the Yellowstones page of this website.
"Three Spot" was the first locomotive in service on the D&IR. The wood burning Mogul
type (2-
It was sold to a lumber railway in 1899. However, in 1923, it was restored to its original appearance and placed on display at the Two Harbors depot as part of the D&IR 40th anniversary celebrations.
Two Harbors depot, built in 1907, is home to Lake Shore Historical Society Museum, which highlights local history.
#2719 operated until the mid-
In May 1996, restoration was started by the Locomotive and Tower Preservation Fund, Ltd., and after just over two years, the inaugural steam run was held on 19th September 1998. In June 2000, #2719 was moved to the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad in Spooner, where it operated summer excursions until 2003. During the off season, it was stored at the Altoona, WI, roundhouse but, with the roundhouse levelled in June 2004, #2719 sat outside exposed to the elements until the end of 2006, when it was moved to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum.
After extensive work during the summer of 2007, the engine was test fired on 24th August 2007, and made a successful round trip from Duluth to Two Harbors, MN, the following day. #2719 has run several excursions for the North Shore Scenic Railroad, which offers different trips each summer through Duluth, Canal Park, along the Lake Superior shoreline and into the North woods. I joined the #2719 return excursion from Duluth to Two Harbors on 12th September 2008.
#2719’s sister locomotive, #2718, is at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, WI, and there are a couple of photographs of it on this website.
As we approach Duluth, Lake Superior basks in the late afternoon sunlight. On the right, the Aerial Lift Bridge is outlined against the skyline.
Related links:
www.northshorescenicrailroad.org/Home/Home.asp
www.lakecountyhistoricalsociety.org
Report a broken link or suggest a new one.
West Knife River entering Lake Superior.
East Superior St, north Duluth.
French River.
Ryan Rd crossing.
The Duluth-
The consist on the day I travelled included an open car, from which the nine photographs above were taken.
Crossing the French River bridge.
Sucker River.
Reversing into Two Harbors station.
Burton Rd crossing.
Joining DM&IR track south of Two Harbors
“Three Spot” is displayed adjacent to the depot.
While we had lunch in Two Harbors, #2719 went off to turn through the wye, but local traffic prevented that, so it came back without turning.
#2719 standing at Two Harbors.
At about 1.00pm, the mist that had hung about all morning lifted.
We left Two Harbors at about 1.30pm, #2719 pulling the train in reverse.
We pull off the DM&IR tracks.
Just south of Scenic Drive, #2719 crosses over on a siding to couple to the front of the train.
West Knife River in the sunshine.
We then head on south.
Further south.
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