IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN...


This last-of-its-kind example of American ingenuity is making a triumphant return to operation. With the assistance of our countless supporters, volunteers, and donors, steam locomotive #1355 will become a fire-breathing classroom on wheels for the people of Sioux City, Iowa and beyond.


Steam Locomotive Engine 1355 Great Northern Sioux City Iowa

Update #2: Brakes Down, Pumps Up (October 2026)

By Brenden Albert • October 29, 2026
Hello, and welcome to October's progress report! October has been another busy month for Project 1355, although much of the work undertaken has been in preparation for several substantial projects planned for November and early next year. We will have more to share about those undertakings once they are completed. First of all, we are thrilled to announce that as of the morning of 10/27/26, the tubes for #1355 were officially ordered. This represents a massive step forward in the boiler restoration of #1355 and brings us another step closer to an eventual hydrostatic test. Turning our attention to the brakes, all of #1355's brake beams have now been removed. This proved to be a surprisingly stubborn undertaking, requiring several full days of work to loosen and free them from the locomotive. After considerable effort, many cans of PB Blaster, and a generous helping of special sauce, the last of the brake beams finally gave. Another important task completed this month was the return of the New York Air Brake Duplex compressors generously loaned to us by the Kandiyohi County Historical Society in Willmar, Minnesota. After being reassembled, cleaned, and painted in Sioux City, our contractors and volunteers made the northeastward road trip to Willmar to mount the compressors back in their rightful positions. These compressors were originally removed from Great Northern #2523, a preserved P-2 class 4-8-2 Mountain-type locomotive, and provided us with invaluable replacement parts for #1355's own compressor. We would once again like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Kandiyohi County Historical Society for its generosity and cooperation. Without their assistance, our efforts to return our air compressor to service would have brought about considerable expenses.

Update #1: A Retrospective

By Brenden Albert • October 24, 2026
Since Project 1355 began in the summer of 2024, the locomotive has been subjected to considerable work that can be seen up and down the machine today. The initial stages of the restoration have been about understanding the pacing of the restoration process as well as understanding the condition of our machine from the inside out (oftentimes literally). Overall, we are happy to report one thing: #1355 is a more than capable restoration candidate. The Great Northern's H-5 class was designed and built to an appreciable standard that can be seen in every nook and cranny. We have plenty of big restoration milestones coming up for the locomotive in the coming months and years, but before we can get excited about those, we must look back on what work has been completed to reach this point.

PRESERVING A LEGACY


Designed and built in 1924 to haul some of the nation's finest passenger trains, #1355 was donated to the city of Sioux City in 1955 after 3 decades of faithful service on the famed Great Northern Railway. Over 70 years later, this museum-quality American treasure holds immense opportunity to bring community together through its operation.


It's more than just restoring a steam engine: it's restoring the exciting technology and ideas that defined a century. It's recounting the story of the James J Hill empire through tangible, sensory experiences. It's writing a new chapter in the annals of history.

EVENT CALENDER

OUR EFFORTS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • What is the current status of #1355?

    Locomotive #1355 remains under the care and ownership of the Sioux City Railroad Museum as restoration to operation continues. This work is being carried out by a base of volunteer labor and qualified contractors. In its current state, the locomotive is mostly disassembled as part of the restoration process.

  • What is the mechanical condition of #1355?

    Through our ongoing restoration efforts, we have found #1355 to be in excellent mechanical condition. Given that the Great Northern Railway designed and maintained its steam fleet to a high standard until the very end, and given the multitude of continued efforts to preserve the locomotive for the long-term beginning in the 1980s, it is a prime candidate for a return to steam. We will provide further details of the quality of this locomotive in future media releases as the restoration continues.

  • Where/When can I see #1355?

    Locomotive #1355 is housed in the former Milwaukee Road roundhouse of the Sioux City Railroad Museum. Despite ongoing restoration, visitors to the museum are welcome to bear witness to this magnificent machine as a predominantly visual exhibit. 


    Museum hours:


    Thursday-Saturday: 10am-4pm

    Sunday: 12pm-4pm


    Museum address: 


    3400 Sioux River Road

    Sioux City, IA 51109

  • Is there a timeline to the restoration?

    Through our grant from the National Park Service’s Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund, we have had a 3-year deadline imposed on our restoration efforts. To this end, our contractors at RDG Steam Services have arranged a 3-phase restoration plan to ensure all the required work is completed in a timely and budget-friendly manner.

  • What is the plan for #1355 after restoration is complete?

    Priority number one in the restoration of locomotive #1355 is to ensure we have a mobile machine that can stay out of harm's way should any major incidents, such as the millennial flood of 2024, occur again. Further beyond that, we plan to have a locomotive that is ready to tackle any assignment that is asked of it. From photo charters to public day outings, anything is possible with #1355 so long as we have the means to get there.

  • What kind of resources are required for this project?

    Like many projects of this scale, Project 1355 is maintained through lots of volunteer labor, professional consulting and contract work, and monetary donations/support. In addition, the work itself cannot be expedited without large quantities of tools (both handheld and power), work vehicles (cranes, forklifts, etc.), and locomotive- and appliance-specific diagrams. 


    When the locomotive is fully operational, further capital must be invested in fuel, water, lubricants, water treatment, and many spare parts and tools to ensure longevity of its operation.

  • What whistle will #1355 wear upon its return to steam?

    Thanks to our contractors at RDG Steam Services, a newly constructed Great Northern 5 Chime, a sound synonymous with the Great Northern and the H-5 Class, will be used as the primary whistle on #1355.

  • What kind of fuel will #1355 burn?

    #1355, along with all of its sister engines, was converted to burn fuel oil in the age of steam. Given this prior arrangement, as well as the overall favorable economics of obtaining and burning fuel oil, there are no plans to convert the locomotive back to coal. At this time, specifics as to what kind of fuel oil will be burned in the locomotive are still in the planning phase.

  • What about the Belpaire Firebox?

    A unique feature of the H-5 Class, in contrast to the modern-day steam world, is the Belpaire firebox. While most operable steam locomotives today were built with a conventional radial-stay firebox design, #1355 was built with a 247-square-foot Belpaire firebox. This flat-top design, in addition to its general simplicity, saw major benefit in its ability to maximize the volume of steam production, thus creating a more powerful and efficient machine. Though it has been a talking point in the steam world for many decades, #1355 will be keeping its Belpaire Firebox, thus maintaining this crucial design feature of what made the H-5 design so special.