Duluth & Northeastern 28

Duluth & Northeastern 28

Diagram of D&NE 28
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Builder American Locomotive Company, Pittsburgh Works
Serial number 39587
Build date 1906
Specifications
Configuration 2-8-0
UIC classification 1′D h2
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Driver diameter 56 in (1,422 mm)
Locomotive weight 185,000 lb (83.9 tonnes)
Boiler pressure 190 lbf/in2 (1.31 MPa)
Cylinders Two, outside
Cylinder size 22 in × 28 in (559 mm × 711 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort 42,700 lbf (189.94 kN)
Career
Operator(s)
Class DMIR: C3
Number in class
  • DM&N 14 of 32
  • D&NE 2 of 2
Number(s)
  • DM&N/DMIR: 332
  • D&NE: 28
Locale Minnesota, United States
Retired 1974
Restored Dec. 2011 - Spring 2015
Current owner Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Disposition In restoration to steam

History

Duluth & Northeastern 28 is a 2-8-0 (consolidation) locomotive built in 1906 by the Pittsburgh Works of American Locomotive Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was built for the Duluth, Missabe, and Northern Railway as number 332; one of 32 locomotives of the C3 class built between 1905 and 1907. In 1937 it passed to the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway on the merger of the DM&N with the Duluth and Iron Range Rail Road. In 1955 locomotives 332 and 348 (also a C3) were sold to the Duluth & Northeastern, and renumbered 28 and 27 respectively.

D&NE 28 saw regular service on the D&NE between Cloquet, Saginaw, and Duluth, Minnesota. It was one of only five remaining steam locomotives for the D&NE by 1964, when "dieselization" was eliminating the use of steam. D&NE retained #28, and used it for only special excursions until 1965. It was then put in storage in Cloquet.

In 1974, the locomotive was cleaned, repainted, and donated to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. There it was on static display until December 2011, where the locomotive was returned to Cloquet for "cosmetic" restoration. In 2015, it's being restored in Duluth to operating condition (replacing Soo Line 2719 on the North Shore Scenic Railroad).

Sister engine D&NE 27 is displayed at the Carlton County Fairgrounds, Barnum, Minnesota, while DM&N 347 (another C3 locomotive) is displayed at the Museum of Mining, Chisholm, Minnesota.

D&NE #28 is currently being restored to operating condition by the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. It was being restored in Cloquet, MN by the Cloquet Terminal Railroad until late summer of 2014. Locomotive #28 is now being completed at the shops of the Lake Superior Railroad Museum.

Historical Significance

Duluth & Northeastern #28 was the last steam locomotive to operate in regular service on a railroad in Minnesota.

Restoration

D&NE 28 was already being restored (supposedly cosmetically at first) by Cloquet Terminal Railroad, it was then announced by the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in March 2014 that the 28 would be restored to operating condition, and would pull excursions on the North Shore Scenic Railroad. "Fire up the 28" fundraiser was held in order to pay the $11,700 needed for boiler flues which are required for operation. Within a week, the museum had raised over half the required funds. By April, the total amount of funds raised was well over $15,000, more than enough to cover the cost of its restoration. The extra funds are to be used in maintaining and operating the locomotive.

There are a few good factors that made #28 a good choice for operational restoration. One, when the engine was retired in 1965, it was done so while the engine was still in operating condition. Two, immediately after retirement, the engine was stored indoors to protect it from vandalism and the harsh Minnesota weather. And three, the engine was kept on display indoors for the entire time it was at the museum. All of these factors lead to the remarkably good preservation of the locomotive, and were considered when the decision was made to get the locomotive operational again.

In the summer of 2014, Cloquet Terminal Railroad ended its part in the restoration process due to management changes. On August 27, 2014, the flues for #28 arrived at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum from Germany. It was then decided that 28 would return to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum to complete its restoration with the installation of the flues. The locomotive was to be moved back in November of 2014, but a scored lead axle needed repair before the move could be made.

On Tuesday, February 3, 2015 #28 was moved back to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, where restoration will be completed. The projects on #28 that need to be completed include boiler flue installation (scheduled to be completed in March), insulation & jacketing, as well as repainting. The Museum has made a push to complete #28 as soon as possible. Their goal is to have #28 ready by late spring or early summer in 2015. Museum employees and volunteers, as well as volunteers from the Friends of the 261 are working together to complete the project.

Once 28 is completed, the North Shore Scenic Railroad intends to run a "Dedication Excursion" to celebrate it's restoration and return of steam on the north shore. Donors to #28's restoration would also be granted tickets to ride this excursion. Duluth & Northeastern #28's completion would end an almost 4 year effort to restore the locomotive.

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