Northern Pacific 2153 - East Grand Forks, Minnesota by Richard Jenkins

After 44 years as a park display in East Grand Forks, Minnesota,  2153 is going to a new home.   The city of East Grand Forks has donated this 1909 Baldwin to the Minnesota Transportation Museum for restoration to steam.   No. 2153 is one of four surviving members of the Northern Pacific Q-3 class.   So far none of these attractive 4-6-2's have operated in preservation.

What makes this project particularly interesting is that sister engine no. 2156 is also awaiting restoration at the MTM's Jackson Street Roundhouse in St. Paul.   According to a source at the museum,  the goal is to perform a side-by-side restoration of both locomotives,  which raises the mouth-watering prospect of a Q-3 double-header!

The Minnesota Transportation Museum operates the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railroad,  with trackage rights over the Wisconsin Central between Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota and Dresser, Wisconsin.   Main line excursions are another possibility for the two Pacifics.   NP 4-6-0 no. 328,  MTM's star performer since her restoration in 1981,  is also undergoing a major overhaul at Jackson Street.   Work on 2156 and 2153 is expected to commence when 328's overhaul is complete.   Plans are currently being made to prepare 2153 for her move from the park and the long trip to St. Paul.