Spared from further deterioration and vandalism as a park display, the fully restored Soo Line #1003 follows the tracks of the Wisconsin and Southern Rail once again. As the sun sets in the west, this vivid scene captures the Mikado type locomotive in action, pouring the power to its 68 inch drivers, creating a wonderful silhouette.
Rolling off the assembly line in March, 1913, the American Locomotive weighed in at 433,000 pounds. Able to travel on all but the light rails of the Soo Line, Engine 1003 proved quite versatile, moving freight for the next 46 years.
Hanging on to the end of the steam locomotive era, the ALC 1003 was relocated to a park display in Superior, Wisconsin. After years of neglect, the first noble attempt at restoration failed. Undaunted, crews finally achieved success with the first test runs at the Duluth Transportation Museum in late 1996. Now the 1003 stands as a remarkable resurrection of a steam era workhorse, another piece of railroad history.