NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. — Dates in May have been set for the move returning Chicago & North Western 4-6-0 No. 1385 to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum.
The locomotive, out of service for more than a quarter-century and away from the museum since 2013, is slated to be moved by truck from its current location in Middleton, Wis., on May 5, then loaded onto a flatcar for its move to Mid-Continent by the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad. Those aspects of the move are off-limits at the request of the businesses involved, but the public is invited to watch the locomotive’s unloading on May 9 from a designated viewing area at the museum.
The locomotive, built by Alco in March 1907, was purchased by museum members for $2,600 in 1961 and traveled widely throughout the Midwest until it was taken out of service for an overhaul in 1998. That overall is nearing completion; the museum has a goal of returning the locomotive to operation in 2026 [see “Mid-Continent museum seeks funds …,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 6, 2025].
While the move is scheduled, the museum is still soliciting donations to cover the costs, still needing more than half of its $80,000 fundraising goal. More information is available in this Facebook post or at the museum website. Donations can also be made here.
— Updated April 11, 2025, with correct information on locomotive number.
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