Soo Line 2719 Community Forum SEPTEMBER 5 TH, 2018
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! June 19, 2018 Dear Council Member Dave Strobel: The Chippewa Valley Museum supports the efforts of the City of Eau Claire to consider bringing Soo Line Railroad Locomotive No. 2719 back to the Chippewa Valley. This locomotive was gifted to the City of Eau Claire in 1960 and was on display in Carson Park until 1996. This is a local piece of history that provides a very tangible connection to the region s importance as a railroad center. Locomotive No. 2719 was built in 1923 and ran on the Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Sault Ste. Marie railway the Soo Line -- between Minneapolis and Chicago for 32 years pulling passenger trains. By the time the engine was built, Soo Line passenger trains ran through Chippewa Falls with a spur that came down to Eau Claire. The locally landmarked S Bridge served the Soo Line and it is likely that No. 2719 ran across this bridge until passenger service to Eau Claire was discontinued in 1931. Chippewa Falls continued to receive passenger trains until this locomotive was retired. Local businessmen made numerous unsuccessful attempts to acquire a steam engine before they convinced Soo Line Railroad officials to donate Locomotive No. 2719 in 1959. At the time, rail service was in dramatic decline and communities recognized the historical importance of steam engines. Although it was the Water Street Businessman s Association that obtained the steam locomotive, the donation was actually made to the City of Eau Claire. The city was required to provide funds for moving the engine, install a foundation, and construct a non-climbable fence. Locomotive No. 2719 remained on static display until the City Council sold it for $1 to the Locomotive and Tower Preservation Fund, an Eau Claire-based organization. This organization then restored the steam engine to working condition and leased it to Lake Superior Railroad Museum. Railroads played a significant role in the development of Eau Claire and surrounding communities. They transported more lumber during the region s lumber boom than what was sent down river and brought thousands of people here from 1870 through the early 1960s. Tires from the Gillette-Uniroyal tire factory shipped out on rail, as did products made by National Presto Foundation, McDonough Manufacturing and other local manufacturers. Altoona itself began as a railroad terminal for the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway, hence its school nickname, the Railroaders. Locomotive No. 2719 does have local ties to the region which makes it an artifact worth considering. From that perspective, the Chippewa Valley Museum fully supports investigating the viability of relocating the engine to the Chippewa Valley. Sincerely, Carrie Ronnander, Director!!
Carson Park
courtesy of Leader- Telegram
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Short Term Plans: Moving & Storing the 2719 Dale Peters, Eau Claire City Manager
Potential Permanent Sites Jeremy Gragert, Eau Claire City Council Representative
Potential Sites 1. Cameron Street 2. Forest Street 3. Railroad Lot 4. Galloway Street Overpass 5. Galloway St / S - Bridge
1. Cameron Street Neighborhood Map
1. Cameron Street Aerial View
1. Cameron Street Aerial View
1. Cameron Street Street View
2. Forest Street Neighborhood Map
2. Forest Street Aerial View
2. Forest Street Aerial View
2. Forest Street Street View (Elm Street Site)
2. Forest Street Street View (Oak Street Site)
3. Railroad Lot Neighborhood Map
3. Railroad Lot Aerial View
3. Railroad Lot Street View (From Barstow St.)
4. Galloway Street Overpass Neighborhood Map
4. Galloway Street Overpass Aerial View
4. Galloway Street Overpass Street View
5. Galloway St. / S - Bridge Neighborhood Map
5. Galloway St. / S - Bridge Aerial View
5. Galloway St. / S - Bridge Aerial View
5. Galloway St. / S - Bridge Street View
Renderings of a Train Shelter Concept Bill Anderson, Eau Claire Architect
Next Steps Linda John, Visit Eau Claire
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Community Outreach Bring Home the 2719 Work Groups Finance/Budget Train Community Engagement Site Selection Marketing/Outreach Fundraising
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