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Duluth Color Train
Steam Locomotive #2719 leaving Duluth pulling the Fall Color Train
to Two Harbors, Minnesota

Scenic Train Rides
North Shore Scenic Railroad
Fall Color Tour

The last weekend in September and the first weekend in October, the North Shore Scenic Railway and the Lake Superior Railroad Museum sponsor a special color train between Duluth and Two Harbors, Mn. In 2007, what made this excursion especially neat was that one of the antique steam locomotives from the museum was pressed into service: Steam Locomotive #2719 built in 1923 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Schenectady, New York.

Steam Engine #2719 for many years served the Soo Line Railroad pulling both passenger and freight trains, including the popular Pullman Car night train between Duluth and Chicago. It was retired from active service in 1959 and at that time was the last remaining "working" steam locomotive in Wisconsin. It was later restored to service for excursion runs by Locomotive and Tower Preservation Fund, Ltd who has leased it to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum for display and excursion runs.

The Union Depot

Duluth Union Depot

The day before the train ran, the sky was blue with hardly a cloud in sight when we stopped by Union Depot to inquire about tickets.> > >

Duluth Downtown Lakewalk

 

< < < Later when we took a stroll on the Lakewalk, blue sky and warm weather continued.

That evening the weather forecast was rain and a cold front moving in, so Jo and I elected to chase (and photograph) the train to Two Harbors instead of ride it.

Duluth to Two Harbors

Duluth Color Train

< < < The next morning it was cold and rainy. I waited in the rain for over an hour on top of the tunnel by canal park. Just when I was about to give up I saw the headlight and smoke in the distance as #2719 came chugging along.

Duluth Color TrainNorth Shore Scenic Railway Color Train

We rushed ahead towards Two Harbors and found a railway intersection where we waited for old #2719 to catch up. And there she came . . . blowing smoke announcing her arrival.

Duluth Color Train

< < < Then we raced along scenic highway 61 keeping pace with the train and snapping photographs as well as waving to the passengers. Duluth Color Train


Duluth Color Train

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Duluth Color Train

< < < We waited in the Two Harbors Depot and finally the train came - caboose first, having turned around in preparation for the return trip to Duluth.Duluth Color Train

Duluth Color Train

< < < Both passengers and crew "de-trained" for the two hour layover in Two Harbors before the return trip to Duluth.Duluth Color Train

We had lunch at the Vanilla Bean and while there talked to some folks from North Dakato who had come to Duluth specifically to ride the color train. Even with the rain, they said they thoroughly enjoyed the ride and the scenery.

Next year, rain or shine, Jo and I ride . . . instead of chase the train.

Duluth Area Pages

  Duluth, Minnesota - Main Information Directory

  Skyline Parkway & 7 Bridges Road Scenic Drive

  Scenic Railroad Fall Color Tour

  Duluth Night Scenes

  Canal Park & Aerial Lift Bridge

Canal Park Dining & Shopping District

  Duluth Lakewalk - Directory

  Duluth Rose Garden

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  Duluth Enger Park Tower

  Two Harbors, MN

  Superior, Wisconsin

Visitor Information - Duluth, Mn

 

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