page_title: Duluth & Northeastern 28
section_title: Restoration
hierarchical_section_title: Duluth & Northeastern 28 / Restoration
caption_attribution_description: English: D&amp;NE 28 operating in Palmers, MN
context_page_description: Duluth & Northeastern 28 is a restored 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type steam locomotive built in 1906 by the Pittsburgh Works of American Locomotive Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was restored to operating condition by the Lake Superior Railroad Museum from 2011-2017 and now operates in excursion service on the North Shore Scenic Railroad.
context_section_description: D&NE 28 was already being restored (supposedly cosmetically at first) by Cloquet Terminal Railroad when it was announced by the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in March 2014 that the 28 would be restored to operating condition, and would pull excursions on the North Shore Scenic Railroad. "Fire up the 28" fundraiser was held in order to pay the $11,700 needed for boiler flues which are required for operation. Within a week, the museum had raised over half the required funds. By April, the total amount of funds raised was well over $15,000, more than enough to cover the cost of its restoration. The extra funds are to be used in maintaining and operating the locomotive. The total cost of the restoration was in excess of $750,000 and thousands of volunteer hours.
  There were few factors that made #28 a good choice for operational restoration. One, the engine was retired in 1965 in operating condition. Two, the engine was stored indoors to protect it from vandalism and weather. And three, the engine was kept on display indoors for the entire time it was at the museum.
  In the summer of 2014, Cloquet Terminal Railroad ended its part in the restoration process due to management changes. On August 27, 2014, the flues for #28 arrived at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum from Germany. It was then decided that 28 would return to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum to complete its restoration with the installation of the flues. On February 3, 2015, #28 was moved back to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum via BNSF Railway to complete its restoration. The remainder of the restoration included boiler flue installation, insulation & jacketing, as well as repainting. By the end of spring 2015, new metalwork had been installed in the smoke-box and outside the cab. The pilot, running gear, and hand-grabs had been painted.
  Work on flue installation by Fraser Shipyards began November 17, 2015, and was completed on December 26, 2015. The 28's wheels were given clearance by the FRA a few months later. In March 2016, the brass and cab water-level meters were reinstalled, the super-heater tubes were being reassembled for installation, and the blow-down valves were sent to Colorado for rebuilding. The hydro-test was scheduled for July 13, 2016. The FRA report was filed on July 20, 2016, stating the locomotive passed the test. The cab was painted black with red windows in June. The smoke box front was being installed in early August. Insulation and lagging and a new boiler jacket were supplied to the museum to finish locomotive assembly at no charge. Insulation was installed on the boiler beginning August 12, according to the North Shore Scenic Railroad's Facebook page.
  The FRA officially began its 15-year or 1,472 days inspection period on November 4, 2016. By January, the locomotive's jacketing had been installed and painted, and its headlight was restored. The #28 had a successful test fire April 3 and 4th, with a few last minute touches (such as painting the steam dome) to be completed. A final test fire occurred in June.
caption: D&NE 28 operating in Palmers, MN. 2017.
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