Soo Line Steam Locomotives

Steam has been gone from the Soo Line since the end of 1954, but here we see H-23 Pacific 2718 leading a special excursion at Dresser, WI in 1957. Soo Line ran several "last of steam" fan trips from Minneapolis to points in Wisconsin during the late 1950s, with the truly last run coming in June 1959 behind Pacific 2719. This photo illustrates one of the drawbacks of steam, the need for frequent service stops to take on coal and water. Soon the 2718 and her special train will be on their way again. And notice those beautiful old Soo Line passenger cars behind the 2718...the way it once was, a way of life gone forever.