From their Facebook page. What does this mean for #76 that has been on hold for many years?
We at the Steam Railroading Institute are excited to announce the purchase of our second historic Michigan steam locomotive! Chicago and Northwestern Railway (CNW) 175, a 1908 R1 class 4-6-0, will be joining our family to become a future operating-stablemate to the Pere Marquette 1225!
Built by the American Locomotive Company’s Schenectady Works, the 175 hauled both freight and passenger trains in the iron-mining territory of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin until the mid-1950’s when diesel technology became a more economical and efficient alternative. It is the only CNW locomotive in Michigan, and one of only three R1’s in existence. Currently in storage at Ripley on the Keweenaw Peninsula, the 175 was made available to SRI by its owner, Mineral Range Inc, operator of the Mineral Range Railroad in Ishpeming. In late summer of 2017, Preston Claytor; SRI Board Member, Kevin Mayer; SRI Chief Mechanical Officer, and Dan Pluta; Contractor at Pro Services arranged a meeting with the Mineral Range and inspection of the 175. The locomotive will be moved to Owosso by road in late spring.
With negotiations followed by an agreement now in place and once delivered to Owosso, we will begin the restoration of the CNW 175 to operating condition. Grants and gifts to finance are already being pursued for what will be the second largest locomotive restoration project for our organization since the Pere Marquette 1225’s return to service in 2013.
Stay tuned for more information forthcoming on the Chicago and Northwestern Railway 175’s restoration, and how to contribute to the upcoming project!
