Steam & Excursion > D&NE 28 sidelined

DULUTH, Minn. — Mechanical problems with newly restored Duluth & Northeastern 2-8-0 No. 28 have forced the Lake Superior Railroad Museum to cancel a series of steam trips this weekend, resulting in a considerable financial loss for the museum.

Connecting rod bearing problems cropped up during No. 28’s trip for donors on June 11. The bearings were replaced in time for public trips June 23 to 25. After those trips, the steam crew decided to replace other bearings on the engine, and also do work on No. 28’s slide valves. The parts had to be machined at a local shop, but the order was not placed in time for the vendor to have the parts completed and installed on the engine in time for this weekend’s trips.

No. 28 had been scheduled to pull a Duluth-Two Harbors trip on Friday, a special charter to Two Harbors on Saturday, and two Duluth-Palmers, Minn. trips on Sunday. The museum is giving refunds to those who purchased tickets for the trips, and offering passengers the opportunity to purchase tickets for the now diesel-powered trips.

The museum hopes to have work on No. 28 completed in time for the next series of trips scheduled for Aug. 18 to 20.

Posted from iPhone

Darn, hate it when that happens. Any insights as to the cause? Lubrication,i.e. pin grease, or too tight bearing clearances?

HotWater Wrote:
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> Darn, hate it when that happens. Any insights as
> to the cause? Lubrication,i.e. pin grease, or too
> tight bearing clearances?


It's primordial. Nothing done on the initial runs caused this, it was inherited from when taken out of service in 1964. The recent runs simply showed siderod bearing wear to be more severe than thought. This work was anticipated to be done after end of season, but was decided to do now instead. It was hoped that machinists could make bearings as required, and they could be installed by today. Didn't make that schedule.

Looking forward to being in service in August, as posted above. Meanwhile, I expect to be running the substitute diesel over the next three days.

-John