Fletch and his crew will be working on the #9 this Saturday, May 20. We are planning to start at 10am. The weather is looking nice. Fletch says, “If you wanna be cool, come join us.” Lol.
This is an opportunity to help cosmetically restore the Dardanelle & Russellville #9, Mid-Continent’s oldest locomotive (1884). The locomotive is located next to Mid-Continent’s Car Shop Building. To learn more about becoming a volunteer with this project, contact the museum office or stop by during the work session.
April 22, 2023; We had our first volunteer session on the D&R #9 last week, for the 2023 season. My apologies that a notice was not put out for our first get together, but life got busy on me, and I didn’t get it submitted in time. I will try to stay on top of it for future events. That is also the reason I am getting this update out so late.
We had a successful and safe session along with “somewhat cooperative” weather. That included sun, wind, cold, some light rain, and of course snow flurries at times. We had about 7 volunteers our first weekend, which was a great turn out. We also welcomed our first new volunteer in a long time, and I want to thank Tyler for all his help Saturday. We hope he continues to join us on future sessions with the #9. And a big thank you to the usual volunteers for returning for yet another year; Steve Pahl, Mike Laabs, Frank Fisher, Jay Slinde, and of course our lead volunteer, Fletcher. I hope I didn’t miss anyone.
After a long winter, we uncovered the Locomotive (although mother nature had mostly uncovered it for us by this time). She was looking really good and dry, and ready for this upcoming year. We also got a crew on the front of the locomotive, removed the Dyno, and checked it into storage for future preservation. The tender was looking good as well, and was right where we left it. One of the biggest tasks we accomplished this weekend was planning and coordination. This tends to be a main tasker of ours at the beginning of the year, and for good reason. We also met with Chris Burdick to discuss big events such as the stenciling of the Tender, and the next goal for painting on the Locomotive. All very exciting topics, that we hope will soon become a reality.
It is looking like Saturday May 20 will be our next volunteer session on the #9. I will put out another announcement to confirm as we approach that date. Again, thanks for everyone’s help this last weekend. – Jason & Fletcher Reiman.
Mid-Continent Railway MuseumPosted on by Jeffrey Lentz
Mid-Continent Railway Museum volunteers gathered at SPEC Machine outside of Middleton, WI on Friday February 24th and Saturday February 25, 2023 to apply paint to numerous loose parts in preparation for installing the items onto the locomotive in the near future. Parts receiving primer and paint included the ashpan, brackets for the air tanks, bracket for the power reverse, sand dome parts, and numerous other components.
Turnout for both days of work sessions were great – almost too good on Saturday, making it necessary for some mandatory breaks while waiting for the paint to dry before adding additional coats.
A big thank you goes out to the volunteers that participated – a few of whom signed up for museum membership just to be able to attend this session. The work was organized and led by Pete Deets and Ed Ripp of the 1385 Task Force. They were joined by volunteers Chuck B., Ross S., Larry S., Richard C., David S., James W., Robert D., Brayden E., Joey R., Jim B., Andy S., Gary B., Rusty S., Ken E., and Jeff H.
Thanks also go out to our host, SPEC Machine for opening their shop to our volunteers to make this session possible.
Volunteer crew on the afternoon of February 25, 2023. Gary Bjorge photo.Sand domeCab supportMiscellaneous brackets.Air reservoir brackets.Ash pan control connectors.Ash pan components.Ash pan component.Ash pan component.Ash pan doors.
Mid-Continent Railway MuseumPosted on by Jeffrey Lentz
NORTH FREEDOM, WI – Mid-Continent Railway Museum is excited to announce it has received a $10,000 grant from the John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust (ERHT) for use on the next phase of restoration on Mid-Continent’s Duluth South Shore & Atlantic Railway (DSS&A) sleeping car “DULUTH”.
The letter board in the process of being stripped and sanded.
Sleeping cars were an integral part of passenger rail travel during the “Golden Age” of railroads. Extensive research has revealed that the DULUTH sleeping car is historically significant as it is the oldest and most complete standard gauge wooden sleeper car known to survive in the United States.
The DULUTH was built in 1902 by the Barney & Smith Car Company and operated as a 10-section sleeping car on the DSS&A’s passenger train between Sault Ste. Marie, MI and Duluth, MN until 1934. After being taken out of service, it was sold to a private resident of Laurium, MI. and it spent the next 81 years as a summer cabin on the shore of Lake Superior. In 2015, the car was graciously donated to Mid-Continent Railway Museum (MCRM) by Lt. Col. Robert and Elizabeth Krasche to assure the long-term preservation of the railcar.
View in the sleeping compartment showing one of the headliner panels being painted in the original green color.
Since its arrival at MCRM restoration crews have taken significant steps to return the DULUTH to operating condition, with volunteers putting over 2,800 hours of work into the car’s restoration so far. The funds from this grant will further the next phase of the DULUTH’s restoration which will feature work on the sleeping compartment, upholstery work, replicating stained glass windows, and installing new wood siding on the exterior of the car.
This next phase of work is projected to require approximately $125,000 and 3,000 additional hours of volunteer labor. Additional grants and donations are being sought to raise the funds needed to complete this work. Any Individuals or organizations interested in donating funds, professional services, or volunteer labor to help with the DULUTH project are encouraged to contact the museum at 608-522-4261 or email inquiries@midcontinent.org.
Once restored, the DULUTH will be placed indoors on public display. Mid-Continent will also operate the DULUTH on the museum’s rail line several times a year, re-creating and preserving the rail passenger travel experience.
As-built Interior photo of DSS&A DULUTH.
This is the third grant the John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust has awarded to the DULUTH project. The Trust previously awarded $9,000 in 2018 and $15,000 in 2022 and has supported other museum projects as well, including the C&NW #1385 steam locomotive and the museum’s coach car #595. Mid-Continent Railway Museum is genuinely appreciative of John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust for its repeated and generous support of the museum’s mission.
About the John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust
The John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust was created by John Emery, a native of Chicago, and a lover of the classic passenger trains of America. The Trust was founded as a way to support Mr. Emery’s interests in the passenger trains of the 1920s through the 1950s. The Trust operates as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) foundation.
About Mid-Continent Railway Museum
Mid-Continent Railway Historical Society–also known as Mid-Continent Railway Museum–is an outdoor, living museum and operating railroad recreating the small town/short line way of life during the “Golden Age of Railroading,” with operating trains, educational exhibits, and displays of restored rolling stock. In 2023 Mid-Continent will be celebrating its 60th anniversary of sharing railroad history with museum visitors.
Mid-Continent Railway MuseumPosted on by Jeffrey Lentz
Mid-Continent Railway Museum’s historic Milwaukee Road diesel recently received a major boost in the effort to restore the locomotive to working condition. In late 2022, the railroad museum received a donation of nearly $95,000 to help bring the locomotive back to working order.
Milwaukee Road #988 at Mid-Continent Railway Museum in 1989.
No. 988: A Versatile Midwestern Workhorse
The #988 is a 1500 horsepower diesel-electric locomotive built by the American Locomotive Company in January 1947 for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific, a.k.a. the Milwaukee Road. The locomotive featured 3-axle trucks – two powered axles and a center idler axle to help distribute weight. This made the locomotive ideal for use on branch lines like Mid-Continent’s that used lighter-weight rail.
The 988 was used in various areas of the Upper Midwest, including the Milwaukee Road’s Wisconsin Valley Division, the Iowa & Dakota Divison, and later on was reassigned as the La Crosse, Wis. switch engine.
The locomotive changed hands a few times before being purchased by a group of Mid-Continent members in October 1985 and arriving at North Freedom in January 1986, debuting in service at Snow Train a month later. It would go on to serve as backup power to Mid-Continent’s steam locomotives for the next several years before being sidelined by mechanical issues. The mechanical issues were compounded by water damage during severe flooding at Mid-Continent in 2008.
Over the years, volunteers worked on the project as funds permitted. However, the organization’s fundraising efforts have largely been focused on other projects, causing repairs to #988 to move at an exceedingly slow pace over the years.
One of the primary volunteers working on #988 was James T. Baker, Jr., or “Preacher” as he was often called by his friends at Mid-Continent. Baker was a wealth of knowledge that helped the program move slowly forward using the limited resources allocated to it. Unfortunately, Baker passed away in 2021 after a battle with cancer before being able to see the project through to completion. However, Baker would make one more parting contribution to the project with the aid of his family.
In late 2022, family members presented a check from the James T. Baker, Jr. Living Trust for nearly $95,000 to Mid-Continent during one of the Society’s membership meetings. The check was given to help advance the repair of Milwaukee Road #988 to bring it back to operational condition. Additionally, over $5,000 was previously donated toward tools and equipment for Mid-Continent’s Machine Shop to assist with the #988 and other locomotive repair projects, bringing the Trust’s total gift amount to $100,000.
James T. Baker, Jr.
Watch the check presentation and learn more about James T. Baker, Jr. Video by Alex Redding.
The Work Ahead
This gift from the James T. Baker, Jr Living Trust, combined with previous gifts from other supporters, has reached a threshold of having sufficient funds to allow the project to move forward in a significant way.
A locomotive repair contractor has already been arranged to complete repairs to the locomotive’s trucks and traction motors. Additional contractors and volunteers will be utilized to make repairs to the locomotive’s engine, intercooler, and electrical systems. Lastly, the locomotive will need new batteries, bodywork and a new coat of paint. The project is anticipated to take several years.
This important gift, combined with previously donated funds, will go a long way toward bringing this historic gem back to operating condition and allow it to again take a turn at the head end of Mid-Continent Railway Museum’s passenger trains.
Photos & Videos
James T. Baker, Jr. Living Trust check presentation at the Mid-Continent Railway Historical Society members meeting. From left to right: Mike Baker, Lisa Redding, and Mid-Continent President Jeff Bloohm.
Take a tour under the hood of Milwaukee Road #988. Video courtesy Alex Redding.
Milwaukee Road #988’s trucks in the process of being refurbished at a contractor shop.
