Great Northern Railway Engine #2523

Great Northern Railway Engine #2523 The Great Northern Railway Engine #2523 was built in 1923 and is a large steam locomotive. It was placed on permanent exhibit October 17, 1965.

This mountain-type locomotive is a survivor of the steam engines acquired by the Great Northern Railway to speed up mainline passenger service. The Great Northern passenger train, No. 2523, was built in 1923 to speed up the passenger main line service through the mountains. This train was painted green because all passenger trains were, although this train was occasionally used to carry freight. T

he train was usually driven at 79 mph because 80 was the maximum speed without cab control. Engine 2523’s last run was in 1958, and was placed on permanent display at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society on October 17, 1965.

We are looking for someone to paint our Engine. If you know anyone interested, please contact Jill at the Kandiyohi Cou...
12/23/2025

We are looking for someone to paint our Engine. If you know anyone interested, please contact Jill at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society at 320-235-1881. She can get you the RFP for the project. Proposals are due on January 7, 2025.

12/09/2024

Check out this awesome video done by Greg Harp! Thanks to Greg for all the hard work he does to help us promote the Historical Society! This is also a good example of preserving history today for tomorrow!

🎼 "This Gift of Giving" by Howard Harper-Barnes
🎥 Gregory Harp

11/28/2022

Check out the Engine all decked out for the Holidays!

🎥 Bob Larson

On this day in 1890, Albert Horton Sperry was born to Albert H. and Jennie Sperry in Willmar, MN. He was named after his...
03/10/2022

On this day in 1890, Albert Horton Sperry was born to Albert H. and Jennie Sperry in Willmar, MN. He was named after his father, but went by his middle name of Horton. He lived in Willmar his entire life. At the age of 14, he almost drowned while skating on Foot Lake with friends. He was rescued by a neighbor, Mr. Hilleboe and his friends.

Horton began his career with the Great Northern Railway as a fireman in 1908. In 1915, he became an engineer. In 1913, he married Nellie Johnson. Nellie passed away two years later in 1915. He later married Gladys McNary in 1916. They had two children, Burton and Bernice.

Horton passed away on December 14, 1952. He stepped off passenger train at the Willmar Depot to get his orders and died of a heart attack. He is buried Fairview Cemetery in Willmar, MN.

Photo him in 1899.

We have a railroad themed snowman in downtown Willmar! Vote for your favorite!
02/21/2022

We have a railroad themed snowman in downtown Willmar! Vote for your favorite!

Watch and get a tour of the Willmar Depot from Gary Richard Nelson! So wonderful to have all this history captured!
01/09/2022

Watch and get a tour of the Willmar Depot from Gary Richard Nelson! So wonderful to have all this history captured!

In this episode, we take a trip down memory lane, with Mr. Gary Nelson & Jack Kjos. Gary started his railroad career on the Great Northern (GN) in 1967, thro...

11/24/2021

Starting tomorrow night the Engine 2523 will be lit up and decorated for the holidays! Be sure to stop by and check it out! Thanks to the volunteers who set this up every year!

10/22/2021

Beautiful night!

Happy Train Day📷 Gregory Harp 2020
05/08/2021

Happy Train Day

📷 Gregory Harp 2020

One of our volunteers passed away this past week. Bob was a great tour guide for the Engine 2523 and so good with the s...
02/13/2021

One of our volunteers passed away this past week. Bob was a great tour guide for the Engine 2523 and so good with the school kids. He will be missed greatly. He was proud to be one of the "Old Goats" and we thank him for all the knowledge he shared with us and our visitors over the years. RIP Bob

Robert Ervin Feichtinger (Bob), 92, of Willmar passed away Tuesday

Address

610 Highway 71 NE
Willmar, MN
56201

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

(320) 235-1881

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