Steam & Excursion > Soo Line 1003

Soo Line 1003 enroute to Chicago for Metra's Family Days event. 

Photo taken by MDP on 8-5-22 in Spring Grove, IL



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/05/22 15:09 by ghemr.

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Very cool...how long a trip is that for them, and is the tank car an aux. water tender?

Cheers, Dave

Lookin' good.

1003's first appearance in close to a decade. Who did the boiler and mechanical work?

-LD



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/05/22 15:32 by LarryDoyle.

A very fine looking Mike.

Bob Krieger
Cheyenne, WY

LarryDoyle Wrote:
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> Lookin' good.
>
> 1003's first appearance in close to a decade.
> Who did the boiler and mechanical work?
>
> -LD

The engine made it to Chicago for another event just a few years ago. And I believe the engine has pulled several photo charters (usually private ones, but still).

Another....

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I recently received information that the private car group has contracted for "excursions" on METRA owned/managed lines with Soo Line 1003. Can anybody confirm such "excursions"?

That's how a steam excursion should look like!

Posted from Android

Yes, that's a beautiful locomotive.

It is my understanding that this weekend's operation of Soo 1003 marks a significant change in Metra policy.  None of us should take this change lightly.  Begining at the north end of the Fox Lake train station,  Metra owns the tracks into downtown Chicago.
For liability and operational reasons back in September 2001 (2 weeks after "9/11"), Metra would not allow the Soo 1003 to operate on its rails, even for short distances.  Great care was taken to follow Metra's requirements.   At the time, the Chicago Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society sponsored two round trips from Fox Lake, Illinois to Milton, Wisconsin.  The 1003 operated flawlessly, but "9/11" dampened ticket sales.
This weekend's visit to Chicago is especially important because no Metra diesel was required on the inbound move.  That alone is great testimony to the Soo 1003 operating team, "Steam Locomotive Heritage Association", and to Metra's willingness to consider even this limited operation.

 

redberan4449 Wrote:
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> It is my understanding that this weekend's
> operation of Soo 1003 marks a significant change
> in Metra policy. 

FWIW, Metra hosted steam excursions in 2016, 2017, and 2018 that operated upwards of 70MPH, and has also hosted guest appearances from 1003 prior. The only thing "significant" is the exemption made for PTC, albeit not without restrictions.

HotWater Wrote:
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> I recently received information that the private
> car group has contracted for "excursions" on METRA
> owned/managed lines with Soo Line 1003. Can
> anybody confirm such "excursions"?

I don’t know if Soo Line 1003 is involved but there are trips over Metra and NICTD planned for the upcoming AAPRCO convention the first weekend this September.

Posted from iPhone