Here's a nice photo of Soo Line (WC) Ten-Wheeler #2645:

http://abpr2.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi? ... oo2645.jpg

Photo was taken at Neenah, Wisconsin on 11-7-52 (although the last number is very hard to make out). Interesting photo showing the spark arrestor attached to the stack and it almost looks as if the car behind the 4-6-0's tender, might be another tender! Perhaps a work train tender?

Soo 2645 was donated to the City of Waukesha, Wisconsin in October of 1955 and was given a different tender than the one shown in the photo. Currently the E25 class Ten-Wheeler is at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom, Wisconsin where it was cosmetically restored a few years ago.

Les

The car behind the tender looks like it could be an ash car. From what I can see it looks like a bin on a flatcar.

John Bohon

Chris -

She sure looks good! Wonder if Mid-Continent ever checked her out to see if she might be a better candidate for restoration to service than one of the engines that is currently scheduled to be worked on. She has one added thing going for her; she's a native to service in Wisconsin!

Les

Maybe not the most accurate answer to your question about this Soo #2645, it has been looked at for restoration. I agree to a point that the size is just about perfect for a road engine for daily operations there. I do not think any extensive testing has been done to her boiler, but it is a lap seam design. I don't recall the proper name for the style of lap seam, but it is not the strongest joint made. Mike Wahl and I poked around looking at it one day a few years back. I also agree that one of the engines schedualed to be worked on after the Montreal #1 {4-6-0} and Polson #2 {2-8-2} are properly repaired and running again, is not the best candidate in many ways. But it is on the list because it is native to Wi, it is a personal favorite of many members {some considerate it a "flagship" loco}. I want to see it operational simply because it was taken apart and I want to see it back together again. Most of us feel no other engines should be touched till we repair the ones taken apart. This post in my opinion and not "offical" museum facts.

She, SOO #2645 would be a real nice loco if running, good looking and easy on rail. She isn't even in the running as the two current engines are good looking and easy on rail. Both have enough snot to pull any trains that MC puts together. Send lots of money. Best wishes all,John.

A gondola like this one at Mid-Continent maybe?

http://www.midcontinent.org/collectn/woodfrt/dssa996.html

There's a very good article in the January 2008 issue of Trains breaking down repair costs of the Montreal. I've seen this broken down in previous issues of the Mid Continent Railway Gazette, and it proves that restoring a steam locomotive is not just patch something up and roll.
It proves that restoring a parked locomotive isn't necessarily a cheap task, no matter what condition in was in when the last fire was dropped. Even when you calculate costs, the price of materials rises the more years you wait!
As for a flagship locomotive at North Freedom, the 1385 comes to mind.
I'd just like to see steam at North Freedom that is not just being produced by the power car!
Anyone wishing to tackle that locomotive sitting in that park near your house, read that article.