Rail Museum to feature history of the Empire Builder

Press release

In Minneapolis/St. Paul in the midst of the depression, James J. Hill's Great Northern Railway launched a new train from the Twin Cities to the cities of Portland and Seattle in 1929. The train boasted the most modern power, model P-2 4-8-2 "Mountain" type steam locomotives and well-appointed coaches and luxurious diner. The Pullman Co. was contracted to add sleeper service to the train.

As it thundered west it began a tradition of exceptional service and speed across the northern prairies highlighted by spectacular scenery and services in Glacier National Park and then the Cascade mountains of Washington.

This year, a model builder released a model of the final steam power of the train, the S-2 4-8-4 Northern type steam locomotive. The railroad owned several of these and more than 50 years ago GN donated one to the city of Havre, where it currently rests beside the depot at the north end of Third Avenue which now houses BNSF offices and the Amtrak station.

During the 2016 Festival Days train runs the weekend of Sept. 17-18, the Pacific Junction Railway Club will feature all the various iterations of the Empire builder from GN to Amtrak and steam to diesel. A model of #2584, the Northern type locomotive sitting by the depot, has been donated by various community members and through a generous grant from the BNSF Railway. This will join models of other power, both steam and diesel and cars typical of the various eras of railroading on the high line of the railway.

Trains of other lines and other periods will also be featured, including the beautiful streamliners of the '50s and '60s, massive freight trains from all eras, and the favorites of the club members.

For Festival Days be sure and bring family and friends to see history preserved in the underground city of Havre Beneath the Streets and see the Empire Builders at the Frank DeRosa Railway Museum at 120 Third Street in Havre. The museum is open both Saturday, Sept. 17, and Sunday, Sept. 18, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.