Willmar in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Great Northern Railway Engine No. 2523
This mountain type locomotive survivor of the steam engines acquired by the Great Northern Railway to speed up main-line passenger service was placed on permanent exhibition here on October 17, 1965.
A powerful and speedy locomotive of the P-2 class, this engine now looks every bit the aristocrat that it was during the years of its pre-eminent association with the Oriental Limited. The Empire Builder was inaugurated in June, 1929, and popularity of the train led to addition of cars to the consist and this necessitated more powerful engines ··· the renowned S-2 locomotive.
Engine No. 2523 is the last of 28 locomotives built for Great Northern by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. After these engines were replaced by the more powerful S-2 in Empire Builder service they pulled the fast mail and the famed silk trains. The P-2 engines later were used in freight service and were retired in 1955.
Locomotive and tender are 94 feet 8¼ inches long, weighs 617,000 pounds and height from rail to the top of stack is 15 feet 10 inches. No. 2523 was an oil burner and developed 57,580 pounds of tractive effort. Each of the eight drive wheels is 73 inches high.
The track on which No. 2523 stands is laid to Great Northern main line specifications. The creosoted ties are supported on a sub-ballast consisting of 6 inches of rock chips and a ballast of 6 inches of crushed granite which is quarried by the Great Northern in Granite Falls, MN.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1929.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 45° 7.627′ N, 95° 2.169′ W. Marker was in Willmar, Minnesota, in Kandiyohi County. Marker could be reached from the intersection of Business U.S. 71 and Puerto Rico Street Northeast, on the right when traveling north. Marker is south of Highway 71 Service Drive at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society Museum. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 610 Northeast Highway 71, Willmar MN 56201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Engine 2523 (here, next to this marker); District #18 Schoolhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Judge Qvale Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); The History of Kaffe Fest (within shouting distance of this marker); Sperry House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Robbins Island (approx. ¼ mile away); Geology of the Willmar Region (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Willmar.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Great Northern Railway Engine #2523. Kandiyohi County Historical Society website entry (Submitted on August 19, 2014.)
2. Pictures of GN 2523. RR Pictures Archive website entry (Submitted on August 19, 2014.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 658 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 19, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.