Built in 1920 at Alco’s Brooks plant in Dunkirk, NY, #1011 is one of twenty-three Class L-2 Mikado type (2-8-2) locomotives built for the Soo Line (#1001-1023).
With Walschaert valve gear, 28” x 30” cylinders, a 17’ driver wheelbase and engine wheelbase of 34’ 10”, it weighs 297,600 lbs, 223,800 lbs on its 63” drivers. The grate is 63.26 sq ft, the firebox 249 sq ft and total heating surface is 4,747 sq ft including 831 sq ft superheating. Operating at 170 psi, it delivered 53,947 lbs tractive effort. The tender weighs 169,000 lbs light with a 9,000 gallon water and 14 ton coal capacity.
Used for mainline freight, #1011 was hand-fired until a stoker was installed in 1939. It made its last run on 18th January 1955 after travelling 1,496,191 miles during its service life. It was donated to the City of Ladysmith, WI, in 1960 and promptly named “Old Smokey” by the school children who raised money to cover the cost of installation. It is on display near the Canadian National tracks on Lake Ave W behind a fine blue mesh obviously designed to prevent birds from nesting in the structure and doing their “business” on the engine, but this can make getting good photos somewhat challenging.
