Soo Line 1003 | 2025 NRHS Fan Trip

Filmed August 23, 2025

The Wisconsin chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, Inc (NRHS) sponsored what can best be described as a "Fan Trip" to commemorate their 75th Anniversary.

The Steam Locomotive Heritage Association (SLHA), a non-profit based in Hartford, WI, owns and operates Soo Line 2-8-2 Mikado #1003. The locomotive was fired up and ran a photo freight from Hartford, WI to Burnett, WI & return. During this round trip, the locomotive ran tender first, switched freight cars, did photo run-bys and static poses, was reloaded with coal and water, and was admired by the hundreds that flocked to central Wisconsin to see the historic L-1 Mikado make a live appearance.

The locomotive makes very limited runs each year, usually just Santa trains in the winter in Hartford, WI. In 2025, this fan trip was the first of 3 planned outings, which included an October photo charter and the November Santa Train.

Soo 1003 was built in 1913 and served the Soo Line until it was retired in 1959. Saved from scrap by being placed in "strategic reserve" status, it was eventually donated to the city of Superior Wisconsin.

Soo 1003 was restored to operation in 1996, operating in Minnesota and Wisconsin and concluding its first 15-year boiler certificate in 2010. Soo 1003 was restored again in late 2012, meaning only a couple more years before its next FRA-madated inspection, overhaul and certification.

On a personal note, 1003 was on my preservation bucket-list and the opportunity finally presented itself. Having seen Soo Line 2719 over a decade ago, it was great to finally see the other Soo steam star of the 1990s and early 2000s. (Both 1003 & 2719 operated together in the late 1990s. In the mid 2000s 2719 moved to Duluth, where it is currently on display, plans to restore 2719 to restoration are TBD). Soo Line 1003 meanwhile has a little bit more time with live steam in the boiler.