This train is leaving the station
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David Schauer
Steam locomotive DNE No. 27 is winched out of its display shed at the Carlton County fairgrounds by a heavy-duty tow truck Monday, April 15. After 68 years, the train is moving to the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad, where it is eventually expected to be renovated and back in action.
A historic train locomotive and caboose pulled out of the Carlton County fairgrounds this week, although not under its own steam. After calling the fairgrounds in Barnum home for 68 years, the former Duluth & Northeastern 2-8-0 No. 27 is headed to the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad, a family-owned historic train business in Trego, Wisconsin, which currently offers around seven train excursions. Train enthusiasts there hope to restore and ultimately get No. 27 running again.
The Carlton County Fair Association had offered the locomotive and caboose free of charge to anyone who would pay to move it, hoping an organization would step up and extend the life of the deteriorating antique because they could no longer afford the upkeep.
David Schauer
Workers prepare the steam locomotive for its next stage in life, hopefully a return to more active days.
On Monday, workers laid track exiting the building where the train lived in recent years, and Lake City Towing winched the steam locomotive out and into the sunshine. Next came the caboose. The incredibly heavy individual pieces will go out on trucks to Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad over the next week or so.
"The board is thrilled the train will be restored and usable again," said Carlton County fair director Lindsey Larson.
"They have the expertise to rebuild it and they do all kinds of train rides out in Trego. It's a good thing for everyone."
Read "Wisconsin Great Northern acquires steam locomotive" at http://www.trains.com for more information on the changes or visit spoonertrainride.com to view all the various train rides at Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad.
