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Soo Line 1003 Photo Charter 2015

MidwestZephyrMidwestZephyrOGR Forum Member

During the Halloween weekend, Historic Transport Preservation hosted a private photo charter on the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad. The motive power and star for this charter was Soo Line steam locomotive #1003 and she did not disappoint! The 102 year old mikado put on a spectacular performance as it thundered from Hartford to Fairwater and back through the rain and sunshine. With a vintage freight train, classic cars and various photo spots along the WSOR main, it was truly a blast from the past!

 

If you missed out on the charter last weekend, you don't have to worry as 1003 will be steamed up later this month. On Saturday, November 14, the locomotive will be operating the Santa Train in Hartford, WI during the town's Christmas Parade day. Definitely makes a good side trip during the Train Fest weekend happening in Milwaukee. Visit SLHA's website for more information: http://steamlocomotiveheritage.org/

 

A special thanks to the Historic Transport Preservation (Steam Specials), the Steam Locomotive Heritage Association, the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad/WATCO and the many others involved for making this photo charter possible. It was no doubt a great weekend.

 

Last edited by MidwestZephyr
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mark smark sOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

The hoppers were most likely assembled from Wisconsin & Southern's available rolling stock so as to simulate a steam era freight train. Noted was the quite "authentic" 1947 Chrysler or Ply used as a prop, along with the kindly ladies in the cemetary. Was on a 1003 charter about 10 or 11 years ago and rather serandiptously an absolutely pristine 1947 International 2 axle stake truck pulled up to one of our movie runs. It perfectly complimented the day! It was owned by an elderly farmer from Beaver Dam, WI who was amply rewarded with photos - and was invited back for the next year's 1003 charter!

B breezinupOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

A site to check out Soo 1003 information (more information at the site):

 

 

Read the Latest...

Soo Line 1003

Soo Line 1003 is a 2-8-2 Mikado type locomotive, built in 1913 by the American Locomotive Company. It was one the last steam engines to work on the Soo Line when it was retired from active service in 1954. The Soo kept it in standby service until 1959, and donated it that year to the city of Superior Wisconsin for public display.

Soo Line 1003

A motorist and Soo Line 1003 engineer exchange friendly waves in rural Wisconsin – Yard Goat Images Photo

Restoring Soo Line 1003

After an earlier attempt to restore Soo Line 1003 to operating condition had failed, a second effort by another group raised the necessary money for success. The first run under its own power was in late 1996. Since then it has operated mainline specials occasionally in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Upper Michigan.

In late 2010 the locomotive owners, 1003 Operations, LLP, announced that further steaming would end following the Santa Train appearance in Hartford, Wisconsin on November 13, 2010. Rebuilding and re-certifying the locomotive was uncertain at this time, so there was a possibility Soo Line 1003 would never steam again. The good news was the engine would be displayed indoors at the Wisconsin Automotive Museum in Hartford.

(In late 2011 the group announced that sufficient funds had been secured for most of the expenses expected to renew Soo Line 1003 for another 15 years! The first steam up occurred in 2012. Much of the work was done with volunteer labor). More money and volunteers are always welcome. For the latest updates or to contribute, please visit the group’s website http://www.sooline1003.com.

Soo Line 1003 Photo Special

We were fortunate to be part of a two day photo charter with Soo Line 1003 just a few weeks before the Santa Train. The train operated on the Wisconsin & Southern Railroadbetween Hartford and Fairwater, Wisconsin, with many photo runbys, static poses, and a night photo session. The trip was organized by Historic Transport Preservation, also known as Steam Specials. Steam Specials always does a fine job in organizing these photo charters and this was no exception. There were about 30 participants from around the world. The mid-October weekend weather was nearly perfect, with sunny skies until late afternoon the second day, crisp temperatures to get those nice steam clouds, and not too much wind. Other than a coal problem on the second afternoon, which cost us some added runbys, the weekend events were flawless.

Last edited by breezinup

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