An engine named Soo Line 1003 is on the way back

We're looking at the backhead of the locomotive with the engineer's seat on the right, the fireman's seat on the left, and the open firedoor in the middle.

HARTFORD, Wis. – The back of antique automobile museum is about as ironic of a place as any to repair and maintain a steam locomotive. But this is home to Soo Line 2-8-2 No. 1003, and the iconic Mikado is close to being ready to steam once more. I paid a brief visit to the crew Sunday, and learned that running gear repairs are nearly complete, a hydrostatic test of the boiler is about a month out, and that sometime this year, if all goes well and the good folks at host railroad Wisconsin & Southern approve, the engine could be out dazzling the public once more.

The Wisconsin Auto Museum in Hartford, Wis., is home to Soo Line No. 1003.

The engine is an Upper Midwestern icon, rebuilt in the mid-1990s, reunited with Soo Line 4-6-2 No. 2719 for memorable trips in Minnesota and Wisconsin in 1998, and a mainstay of excursions on Wisconsin Central and later Wisconsin & Southern. Just a few years ago it was doubtful if the engine would continue running as it faced the mandatory 1,472-day boiler inspection. But with that behind it and running gear repaired after a hot bearing incident last fall and with steam locomotive axle grease imported all the way from India (and apparently as close to the formula of the old standard Texaco Hi-Tex 8 axle grease), the engine’s future is looking good. The engine has a new tool car – a former Milwaukee Road insulated boxcar – and a gleaming fresh paint job with a clear coat.

Every time I think steam is about to run low on the preservation and operation of locomotives like No. 1003, I’m pleasantly surprised. As I wrote last summer, 2014 is shaping up to be the best year for operating steam in the last 20 years. After getting more repairs this winter than expected, Southern Railway 2-8-0 No. 630 will be heading to Virginia this week for excursions out of Bristol, and her Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum stablemate 2-8-2 No. 4501 will follow later. Two Van Sweringen 2-8-4s, Nickel Plate Road No. 765 and Pere Marquette No. 1225 are out and about. And the future looks good: Union Pacific is taking Big Boy No. 4014 from Southern California to the steam shop in Cheyenne, Wyo., next month and Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 No. 611 will head for its 1,472-day inspection this year too. With No. 1003 in the mix, it is truly a renaissance time. Enjoy and see you on board or trackside!