GALEWOOD — A century-plus steam engine turned heads on the Northwest Side over the weekend as the locomotive arrived here for a few hours as part of a fundraiser.
SOO Line #1003, which was built in 1913, chug-chug-chugged into the Metra stop at 2031 N. Narragansett Ave. Saturday to help raise funds for the Shriners Hospital For Children — Chicago.
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The train is operated by the Steam Locomotive Heritage Association. The engine — built at a cost of $25,000 in Schenectady, New York — weighs more than a half million pounds. It has undergone a number of refurbishing efforts, the most recent in 2012.
The train came from Hartford, Wis., about 120 miles north of Chicago near West Bend. It is usually stored at the Wisconsin Automotive Association In Hartford.
The Shriners Hospital, at 2211 N. Oak Park Ave., cares for children with orthopaedic problems, burns, spinal cord injuries, cleft lip and palate, and other surgical needs.
Under the weekend's arrangement, donations will be split between the Shriners Hospital and the Locomotive Association. Mail donations to SLHA, Box 270594, Hartford, WI 53027.
