We spent a few days last week near Two Harbors, MN dog sitting our two grand-dogs while our daughter and husband went on an Anniversary getaway to celebrate their 25th! Had some time for a rail fix. Visited the outdoor display at Two Harbors and the Lake Superior Railroad Museum (LSRM) in Duluth.
The 3-Spot on display at Two Harbors, was the first engine of the Duluth and Iron Range RR. Also on display is Yellowstone #229 which is sister to #227 which is one of the "center pieces" of the LSRM - Duluth.
A few notable pieces in the LSRM collection includes the William Crooks, the first locomotive to operate in the state of Minnesota. 
Another first is the Minnetonka. The first locomotive on the Northern Pacific. It was used to haul track materials and supplies during NP’s westward expansion.
Another interesting piece of equipment is the little Mack #1. The Mack is used as a switch engine moving cars and equipment to different display locations in the museum.
So much to see here that you need to make the LSRM one of your destinations.
One of the museum displays feathers RR lanterns. I have a NP Dressel lantern and got the idea that it needs to be displayed in my train room. Luckily our son-in-law is a hobby forger. Before they left on the getaway, he quickly fashioned a unique hook made from a RR spike to properly support my lantern.
So this post has also become a show-n-tell opportunity!
Cheers, Dave
