Minneapolis & St. Louis RR 2-8-0 No. 471
Janesville, MN, United States
Location: Borneke Construction
Status: Display
Posted: May 7, 2025 @ 10:05:44 by Ratchet
Loco is not in cosmetic restoration, still in same state of disrepair.. :(
Posted: Jan 9, 2017 @ 08:01:01 by Richard Winter
As of Fall, 2016 the folks at Borneke Construction have this locomotive set back together and on display in Janesville. I am not affiliated with Borneke Construction. For more information you would have to contact them.
Posted: Aug 23, 2004 @ 03:08:29 by Ralcon Wagner

After posting the last note, I found the info provided on this locomotive and realized this is the one I played on during 1959 - 1962 or so.  I am amazed that there is anything left intact.  When I first saw this locomotive, it was sitting on what appeared to be an abandoned spur track a distance from the nearest highway.  The rail had a thick coat of rust and the brick company was abandoned.  Both the brickyard and locomotive looked to have been out of service between five and ten years at the time.  The number boards were gone (if memory serves), of course the bell and whistle were missing as well, and the lens and headlight and been vandalized, leaving only the headlight casing.  The entire locomotive (at that time) was solid rust, and the steel around the boiler was peeling away or disintegrating.  If there were any numbers or reporting marks on the engine or tender at the time, I wouldn't remember.   The only number visable, in one of the photograghs is "H6-38" on the side of the cab, centered, under the window.  Above the number mentioned and beneath the window sill a name had been painted out and was nearly the length of the cab (engineer's side).   Hope this information helps.  Does anyone know what year No. 471 was moved away from Chaska?

RW

 


Posted: Aug 23, 2004 @ 02:08:26 by Ralcon Wagner

There was once a rusting steam loco sitting in a field near Chaska, MN (near an abandoned brick yard) during 1958 - 1962 that my dad would take me to visit when we lived in Minneapolis.  I have often wondered what ever happened to that hunk of rust.  The engine I remember 45 years ago was nearly in ruins then.  This was a special locomotive as I was only five at the time and had never seen a "real" steam locomotive before.  My father took photos of me posing on, in and around the locomotive.  After looking at the photo, I'm almost sure this is the same engine.  If this steamer did indeed sit in a field abandoned at Chaska, I will scan the four old photos I have for you to post.  Feel free to email me about this.  Thanks.

Ralcon Wagner

Nashville, TN


Posted: Dec 11, 2002 @ 10:12:33 by stephan schauer
sorry i got my info mixed up. last time i bleeve my dad
Posted: Dec 10, 2002 @ 08:12:16 by Jeff Terry

Commenting on the previous note, the gentleman who owned these engines in the 1970s (Don Lind) is still very much alive today.  He still owns them and maintains the property to the best of his ability, although much of the equipment, as noted, has fallen into disrepair.


Posted: Dec 10, 2002 @ 07:12:03 by stephan schauer
sombody please rescue this locomotive and rolling stock. the guy who oned this museum died back in the '70s. the rollingstok is about ready to collapse