HARTFORD, Wis. — The 2025 debut of Soo Line 2-8-2 No. 1003 on Saturday, Aug. 23, marked its first summer run since a 2022 trip to Chicago for a Metra family days event [see “News photos: Soo Line No. 1003 makes road trip …,” Trains.com, Aug. 8, 2022]. The 1913-built Mikado made a non-passenger round trip from Hartford to Burnett, Wis., to replenish coal and commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. The chapter provided financial support for the operation, partnering with the locomotive’s operator, Steam Locomotive Heritage Association, and the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad. Highlights of the day included photo runbys, a group photo with chapter members, switching coil cars in Horicon, and impressive trackside crowds in Burnett. No. 1003’s next public appearance will be the annual Hartford Santa Train on Nov. 8.
