Northern Pacific 2153

4-6-2 Steam Locomotive

Steam locomotive 2153 is a 4-6-2 "Pacific" built to pull the Northern Pacific's premier passenger train, the North Coast Limited. Retired in the fifties when the railroad switched to diesel locomotives, 2153 was donated to the city of East Grand Forks, MN, who displayed it in a city Park. In 2000 the city gave the 2153 to the Minnesota Transportation Museum. In reparation for movement to St. Paul, MN, the jewelry and jacketing were removed for safe keeping and the asbestos lagging abated.

In 2002, 2153 was trucked to Jackson Street. Vic's crane did the move, donating a portion of the moving cost. The locomotive, minus lead and trailing trucks, was secured to a large low-boy with adjustable-height suspension and rear-end steering. (The later two features were necessary to negotiate the turn and bridge into Jackson Street.)

Upon arrival, the first task was cleaning up the journals on all axles. (They had been damaged by flood waters.) The main drivers were not bad, and were done by jacking up the engine. The trailing truck was done in the shop and then installed under the engine. The lead truck was the worst, and is still being repaired.

Because 2156 and 328 are both being overhauled, 2153 will initially be cosmetically restored "so that something around here looks like a steam engine!" Already on exhibit, it needs its pilot truck, new running boards, cab roof, tender end beams, the jewelry, and some black paint.

2153 is a twin sister to the museum's NP 2156. Two other Q3s also survive, 2152 under a canopy in Auburn, Washington and 2164 at the Camp Hancock State Historic Site in Bismark, ND.

Photo Gallery

• NP spec/improvemnt card for 2153, side 1
• NP spec/improvemnt card for 2153, side 2
• NP spec/improvemnt card for 2153, side 3
• NP spec/improvemnt card for tender 40E1, side 1
• NP spec/improvemnt card for tender 40E1, side 2

Sources:

1. "Minnesota Railroad Guide" by Steve Glischinski; text p142.