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Northern Pacific #2152

Description

Baldwin
Q-3
4-6-2 wheel configuration
Weighs 374,600 lb.
Standard gauge
Coal for Fuel

History

Built in 1909 by Baldwin Locomotive Works in Pennsylvania for passenger service on the Northern Pacific Railway. The large-diameter driving wheels meant the farther the locomotive could travel on each turn. This meant that, with the larger driving wheels, this locomotive could travel faster than other steam locomotives. While it could move at fast speeds with up to only ten passenger cars, it was not able to transport heavy freight trains. In 1925, this locomotive served on the eastern region of the railroad, taking passengers in and out of Saint Paul, Minnesota. This locomotive was used to transport tourists to Yellowstone Park in 1939. #2152 retired in 1956 and was donated to the City of Auburn instead of being scrapped. Being left out in the open, elements from the weather conditions destroyed the cab as well as some of the metal parts. The City of Auburn acknowledged the issue and needed to get this locomotive from the wet environment and move it to the Northern Pacific Railway Museum, where it is in a fenced area as of today.

© 2021 by Eric Hume

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