After being restored to service in 2017, the locomotive was sidelined in 2018 due to mechanical issues. To welcome the engine back to service, the Museum hopes to generate excitement for a “new” locomotive not seen since the 1950s. “Both the Duluth & Northeastern and the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range have historic ties to Minnesota and to the Museum’s mission,” Executive Director Ken Buehler says. “So we thought after debuting the engine in Duluth & Northeastern paint it would be appropriate to have it display its DM&IR paint scheme as well.”
The engine was briefly re-lettered DM&IR 332 for a photo charter in 2017, but plastic lettering was used to cover the D&NE paint. This time the DM&IR logo was painted on the tender and the number was painted on the cab sides per DM&IR practice. This will be the first “live” DM&IR steam engine to operate since 2-10-2 No. 514 pulled two excursion trips in 1962.
No. 332 will pull excursions this summer and fall on the North Shore Scenic Railroad between Duluth and Two Harbors, a former Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range line the locomotive once operated over in regular service on the Missabe Road. Steam operating dates are:
- June: 14-15
- July: 12-14
- August: 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30-31
- September 1, 7-8, 13-15
