Hop Aboard This Classic Minnesota Steam Engine This Fall In Duluth
For the first time after a two-year hiatus, you can ride on a classic steam engine on the Lake Superior Railroad from Duluth to Two Harbors.
The steam engine is the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range No. 332 (also known as Duluth & Northeastern 28) and it will be running along the tracks from Duluth to Two Harbors from the first time since 2019. There were plans to operate with passengers in 2020, however, the plans were put on pause due to the pandemic. The locomotive went through inspections in 2021 and it was discovered that there were cracks near the mud ring in the firebox, according to trains.com.
An inspection from the Federal Railroad Administration in the spring of 2021 revealed cracks have reopened from years ago. The locomotive used to operate on the Duluth & Northeastern Railroad in the 50s & 60s. During that time, four cracks were revealed and were repeatedly welded by mechanics.
In the fall of 2021, while at the Fraser Shipyards in Superior, WI more welding and patching was completed. The engine even passed its hydrostatic boiler test.
The train ride that features this locomotive is called "The Two Harbors Turn". It is a six-hour full day up the North Shore with a layover stop for lunch. Heads up, food is not included in the ticket price, but you'll be able to tour and shop around Two Harbors. You'll then return to Duluth between 4 and 5 pm. If you would like tickets to ride on this classic locomotive, you can get them online here. Check out a pretty cool video of the train below: