Northern Pacific 328 is a class S-10 (NP S-10),[1] a 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler type steam locomotive. It was restored to operational condition in 1981, and was retired in 2001. As of 2024, the locomotive is on static display at the Minnesota Transportation Museum's Jackson street Roundhouse and there any no plans to return the locomotive to operation.

Northern Pacific 328
NP 328 in storage at JSRH
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderAlco (Rogers)
Serial number37583
Build dateAugust 1905
Total produced20
Rebuild date1976-1981
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte4-6-0
 • UIC2′C
Gauge4 ft 81/2 in (1,435 mm)
Leading dia.30 in (762 mm)
Driver dia.57 in (1,448 mm)
Wheelbase21 ft 1 in (6.426 m)
Length58 ft 6 in (17.831 m)
Height14 ft 101/4 in (4.528 m)
Adhesive weight115,000 Ib (52 t)
Loco weight153,000 Ib (69 t)
Tender weight104,000 Ib (47 t)
Fuel typeCoal
Water cap.5,500 US gal (21,000 I; 4,600 imp gal)
Firebox:
 • Grate area38.5 square feet (3.58 m2)
Boiler pressure190 Ibf/in2 (1.31 MPa)
Heating surface:
 • Tubes and flues1,865 square feet (173.3 m2)
 • Total surface2,010 square feet (187 m2)
CylindersTwo, simple
Cylinder size19 in x 26 in (483 mm x 660 mm)
Valve gearStephenson
Loco brakeAir
Train brakesAir
Performance figures
Tractive effort26,600 Ibf (118 kN)
Career
OperatorsNorthern Pacific Railway
ClassS-10
NumbersNP 328
Nicknames“The Blueberry Special”
LocaleMontana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin
First runAugust 1905 (revenue service)
1981 (excursion service)
Last run1950 (revenue service)
October 2001 (excursion service)
RetiredAugust 1950 (revenue service)
October 2001 (excursion service)
RestoredMay 1981
Current ownerMinnesota Transportation Museum
DispositionStatic Display

History

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Revenue service (1907-1950)

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NP 328 is a 4-6-0 S-10 steam locomotive and was built in August 1905 by the American Locomotive company at their Rogers plant in Patterson, NJ. In 1940 it was named Blueberry Special that ran between Rush City, MN and Grantsburg, WI. NP 328 pulled the last train to Taylors Falls on June 30, 1948. In 1949 L-10 0-6-0 number 1167 replaced 328 on the Grantsburg branch.

First retirement (1950-1976)

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In 1950, NP 328 was retired and was sold to the Minnesota Railfans Association in August 1950, and displayed in a Stillwater, Minnesota city park.[2][3]

First restoration (1976-1979)

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In 1976 it was leased by the Minnesota Transportation Museum for restoration, and was completed on 1979.

Excursion career (1981-2001)

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The engine returned to service in May 1981, and ran excusion trips during the 1980s. Between 1987 and 1991, NP 328 returned to the Stillwater Branch and was owned by the Minnesota Transportation Museum and was a “crown jewel” of the historic experience.[4] In 1992 NP served as a regular locomotive on MTM's Osceola & St. Croix, MN and Dresser, WI.[5][6] In 1998 it had a triple header with Soo Line 1003 and Soo Line 2719 at SteamFest 98 from Wisconsin to Minnesota. In 1999 it traveled a few more miles from the Stillwater and Taylors Falls branches it once frequented. It also made occasional special trips to other locations around the Twin Cities.

Second retirement (2001-present)

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NP 328 being cleaned on the Turntable at the Minnesota Transportation Museum's Jackson Street Roundhouse

In 2001, NP 328 was retired[7] and Today it is an exhibit at the Jackson Street Roundhouse and there are no current plans to restore NP 328 into operating condition.[8][9][10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association (February 11, 2009). "Steam Class List S-10". Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  2. ^ "Northern Pacific Motive Power - No. 5 of a Series, Class S-10 (320-329)" (PDF). The Telltale. XI (5): 2. May 1950. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  3. ^ "Northern Pacific steam locomotive No. 328 on display in the park at Stillwater". Minnesota Historical Society. 1955. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  4. ^ Johnson, Martin (1991). "The Blueberry Special". The Mainstreeter. 10 (4): 20–21.
  5. ^ Schrenk, Lorenz P. (1996). "The Truth About 328 Revealed!". The Mainstreeter. 15 (4): 5–11.
  6. ^ • Egan, Patrick (1996). The Other Four". The Mainstreeter. 15 (4): 12-13.
  7. ^ Smith, Jonathan D.H. (2005). "Chicago Terre Haute & Southeastern steam locomotives". Standard steam locomotives. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  8. ^ Thompson, Richard E.; Monson, Steven J. (2005). The Taylors Falls & Lake Superior Railroad. Chicago City, Minnesota: Iron Horse Central Museum. ISBN 1-59975-248-4.
  9. ^ "Steam locomotives". Minnesota Transportation Museum. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  10. ^ "We own that train? Stillwater weighs options for old Northern Pacific locomotive". Twin cities. December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.