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News at the North Shore Scenic Railroad & Lake Superior Railroad Museum
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This month we have a big announcement, as we welcome a new Dome Car to the operation.
Also, if you're thinking of coming to the Thomas the Tank Engine event in August, now is the time to buy your tickets while you can enjoy a discount with them.
I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter, and I'll see you
Trackside very soon!
Sincerely,
Josh Miller
Station Master
North Shore Scenic Railroad
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1) Dome Car Coming THIS SUMMER
2) Renovation project for the "Silver Club"
3) Updates from the Shop
4) Thomas the Tank Engine Discounts
5) Events to be excited for
Special coupon
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First Class, Dome Car Seats, On Sale Now
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This is the big announcement, and you heard it here first: the Northern Pacific Dome Car, "Homestake Pass" will be in Duluth all this summer, offering First Class service on all Duluth Zephyr train excursions.
This is very exciting for our railroad. The dome car is privately owned, but will be on a lease over the summer as part of a fundraiser to contribute funds to the North Shore Scenic Railroad owned dome car renovation project for the "Silver Club" (more info below). All proceeds from First Class ticket sales will go directly to the other Dome Car's renovation.
Meanwhile, you now have a "golden ticket" opportunity to experience the thrill of "riding in the clouds" on the top floor seat in the Dome Car.
Tickets are on sale now for the Duluth Zephyr, including First Class Dome Car seats... and look for additional excursions with the Dome Car in upcoming editions of Trackside.
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Renovating the Silver Club Dome Car
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A spectacular First Class view will be yours on
top of the Silver Club Dome Car. The view is
like flying at tree-top level, with an expansive
panorama of beautiful scenery rolling by the
train. Life is better in a dome car!
The Silver Club Dome Car was donated for
use on the North Shore Scenic Railroad and is
currently undergoing a complete renovation
to bring back its full glory. That will require
both time and money.
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With your help, this car will very soon be doing what her builders ha envisioned: giving passengers the best view ever from the rails. Donating has its perks too, with several levels of gifts with your support
of this exciting project:
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$25: Get one free first-class ticket on a daytime
Duluth Zephyr Excursion.
$75: Get four free first-class tickets on a daytime
Duluth Zephyr Excursion.
$100: Get four free first-class tickets on a
daytime Duluth Zephyr Excursion and your
name on the supporter dedication plaque.
$250: Get four free first-class tickets on a
daytime Duluth Zephyr Excursion, your name
on the supporter plaque, & one annual “Missabe
193” level membership to the Railroad Museum.
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Originally built in 1948 by the Budd Company
for the CB&Q's
California Zephyr,” Car #250 was named the
Silver Club. It later made its way to Amtrak
and eventually private ownership. Now it will
run on the North Shore Scenic Railroad.
The generous donation of the car and some
very large financial contributions have started the restoration and we’re asking you to finish that work with a gift of your own. Help complete all the interior work and bring this car to life so it can delight our passengers on the Lakefront Line
within only a few months.
Contributions of all levels go directly
to the designated fund to renovate the car and then keep it in operating condition indefinitely.
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Update on the #28 Steam Engine
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One of the first pieces of "the brass" is hung serving as a symbol of the reassembly project on steam engine #28. This is the steam injector check valve, just one of the many components for reassembly to push forward with project.
Lots of pieces had to be removed, restored and now are being put back together. The water level glass is back in the cab, which is a monitor of the boiler's water level.
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pretty sheet metal that goes on the outside of the engine/boiler. The blow-down valves were shipped to Colorado for re-build and should be back within a few months. Meanwhile, more re-assembly continues in the shop.
Paperwork is another huge part of the project, as is good record keeping. Shown to the right is a form from 1937 detailing a boiler modification.
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"Basically we are plugging holes and ends of the boiler needed to get ready for the hydro test" says Bob Purcell, who has made this project a labor of love from its first roll-out of the museum over 5 years ago.
The hydro test is the major next step expected to take place in only a few weeks. Basically, water is added to the boiler, and pressure is added with either water or air (not hot steam). Pleasure must reach at least 25% of the maximum pressure of the boiler (which is 240psi for running), and then the boiler is inspected for leaks.
If the test is passed, and all expectations are good, then we could have the locomotive under steam power in the early summer this year.
A few other updates to note are brass bearings for the main driver rod have been installed, super heater tubes are being prepped for re-assembly, and quotes are coming in for the jacketing (the
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It, along with the FRA Form 4 and other boiler diagrams have been filed with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and are all part of officially certifying the locomotive for use.
It is a complex, but important project that we thank all of our members and volunteers to making possible. We'll see you soon, behind steam power on the North Shore Scenic Railroad!
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On the other track in the shop...
With what looks like a unique "artistic" paint effect, is actually the old paint all sanded down and prepped for a new shinny coat of the orange and green scheme.
Without a doubt, the LSRX 1000 concession- power car puts on more miles than any other in the fleet, and work on it continues to give it a much needed facelift for this summer.
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Everyone's favorite blue engine is coming back to Duluth. Plan to visit Thomas while he is in town? Then now is the time to get your tickets:
Use offer code "madison" and save $2 per ticket if you buy your tickets before March 30th.
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Events to Plan For This Year
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There are so many exciting events coming up this year, its hard to keep track. So we made this list to keep you "on track" to have lots of fun stuff to look forward to this year:
Trains and Toddlers
April 11th, 10am-11:30, Railroad Museum. Free for members
Train Days at the St. Paul Union Depot (SPUD): April 30th & May 1st
We have partnered with the St. Paul Union Depot as they highlight the history and future of passenger train travel, the historic and current role of freight railroads in our region, and changing transportation trends and needs. Duluth is even sending our own Soo Line #2500 down for the event.
Mother's Day Luncheon Limited: Sunday May 8th
Lunch and a train ride to enjoy and honor Mom! Tickets available here.
National Train Day, May 14th
Special events in the museum to celebrate this annual holiday, commemorating the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. Some activities include bounce houses, special video presentations, pump car demonstrations, train excursions and more.
Annual LSRM Member Dinner: May 20th
Dinner in the Great Hall, with a presentation TBD
MN Free-Mo Railroad Modelers in Great Hall, May 21st-22nd, all day.
Come see the largest HO Scale train layout ever assembled in the Twin Ports!
Grandmas Marathon First Class Viewing Train: Saturday, June 18th
Father's Day BBQ Lunch Train, June 21
Fridays in July
Wine Tasting Elegant Dinner Train
Saturdays in July
Day Out With Thomas
First two weekends in August
Murder Mystery Express: August 15-19 and 22-26
Elegant Dinner Trains: Fridays and Saturdays August-October
Wonderful meals prepared by the areas best
Pumpkin Train Express: October 20-23
Ride the train to the secret pumpkin patch
Not all these events have all the details worked out just yet, but look for more info coming in upcoming editions of Trackside and the Junction (newsletter available for members of the museum). Have any questions about these events? Not all the details are worked out, but give me a call at 218-733-7594 and I'll do my best to answer any questions you have.
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ENJOY 20% OFF
Mother's Day Luncheon Limited
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Use offer code "mother16" and take 20% off your entire purchase if you book before February 19th for the Mother's Day Luncheon Limited which runs one day only, May 8th at 12:30pm.
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Thank you for your ongoing support and interest:
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The fun continues on our social media pages:
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