Soo Line L-1 class
Encyclopedia
The Soo Line L-1 class was a class of 2-8-2
steam locomotive
built by the American Locomotive Company
in 1913.
Having acquired America's
first Mikado (2-8-2) type when it merged the Bismarck, Great Falls and Washburn Railway in 1904, it was eight years before the Soo Line ordered a 2-8-2 of its own. Ten locomotives were ordered from the American Locomotive Company
, and built by their Schenectady, New York
plant in 1913. The locomotives became the L-1 class and were used for powering time freights system wide on both the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie, and Wisconsin Central. They were assisted in that role by the 1920 arrival of the 25 L-2 and L-20 class Mikados in 1920, but were bumped in to lesser roles with the arrival of the 21 N-20 class 4-8-2
Mountains in 1926–1930. The 1938 delivery of four O-20 class 4-8-4
Northern made little difference to the L-1 class since the former were restricted to the Chicago–Twin Cities
route.
They were a long-lived class, with only one, the 1004, being retired prior to May 1953. By December 1954 however, the Soo Line was effectively dieselized. One locomotive, the 1003
, was placed in the strategic reserve, and stored serviceable in the Gladstone, Michigan
roundhouse
. The other eight remaining L-1s were sold for scrap.
The reserve was never called into action, and the 1003
was donated to the City of Superior, Wisconsin
in December 1959. It was later restored to steam in the 1980s.
2-8-2
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-8-2 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle , eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle...
steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
built by the American Locomotive Company
American Locomotive Company
The American Locomotive Company, often shortened to ALCO or Alco , was a builder of railroad locomotives in the United States.-Early history:...
in 1913.
Having acquired America's
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
first Mikado (2-8-2) type when it merged the Bismarck, Great Falls and Washburn Railway in 1904, it was eight years before the Soo Line ordered a 2-8-2 of its own. Ten locomotives were ordered from the American Locomotive Company
American Locomotive Company
The American Locomotive Company, often shortened to ALCO or Alco , was a builder of railroad locomotives in the United States.-Early history:...
, and built by their Schenectady, New York
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
plant in 1913. The locomotives became the L-1 class and were used for powering time freights system wide on both the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie, and Wisconsin Central. They were assisted in that role by the 1920 arrival of the 25 L-2 and L-20 class Mikados in 1920, but were bumped in to lesser roles with the arrival of the 21 N-20 class 4-8-2
4-8-2
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-8-2 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle...
Mountains in 1926–1930. The 1938 delivery of four O-20 class 4-8-4
4-8-4
Under the Whyte notation classification of steam locomotives, 4-8-4 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and four trailing wheels on two axles .Other equivalent classifications are:UIC classification: 2D2...
Northern made little difference to the L-1 class since the former were restricted to the Chicago–Twin Cities
Twin cities
Twin cities are a special case of two cities or urban centres which are founded in close geographic proximity and then grow into each other over time...
route.
They were a long-lived class, with only one, the 1004, being retired prior to May 1953. By December 1954 however, the Soo Line was effectively dieselized. One locomotive, the 1003
Soo Line 1003
Soo Line 1003 is a restored 2-8-2 Mikado type steam locomotive of the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railway L-1 class. It is occasionally operated on the major railroads of the American Upper Midwest....
, was placed in the strategic reserve, and stored serviceable in the Gladstone, Michigan
Gladstone, Michigan
Gladstone is a city in Delta County in the U.S. state of Michigan. First settled in 1877, Gladstone's original name was Saunders Point. The population was 5,032 at the 2000 census....
roundhouse
Roundhouse
A roundhouse is a building used by railroads for servicing locomotives. Roundhouses are large, circular or semicircular structures that were traditionally located surrounding or adjacent to turntables...
. The other eight remaining L-1s were sold for scrap.
The reserve was never called into action, and the 1003
Soo Line 1003
Soo Line 1003 is a restored 2-8-2 Mikado type steam locomotive of the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railway L-1 class. It is occasionally operated on the major railroads of the American Upper Midwest....
was donated to the City of Superior, Wisconsin
Superior, Wisconsin
Superior is a city in and the county seat of Douglas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 26,960 at the 2010 census. Located at the junction of U.S. Highways 2 and 53, it is north of and adjacent to both the Village of Superior and the Town of Superior.Superior is at the western...
in December 1959. It was later restored to steam in the 1980s.