This USRA light 2-8-2 "Mikado" type locomotive was built in 1918 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, NY, and assigned to Grand Trunk, which numbered it originally as 474. Sometime in the 1930's a Coffin feedwater heater was installed, and with other improvements, the number was changed by the GTW to 3734. This steam locomotive's road career consisted of pulling freight and passenger services in Michigan. In 1957 the locomotive was shopped and given a larger tender, and the locomotive's number was changed to 4070. The 4070 continued to pull regular duty until March 1960, when it pulled its final revenue freight, from Pontiac to Durand, MI and then was retired. The locomotive was sold to Lou Keller. In 1966 the Midwest Railway Historical Foundation acquired the engine on a five-year lease. It was then moved to Chicago, where it was gone over by Dick Jensen and his crew.
Life after the Grand Trunk
The year 1968 saw the 4070 pulling excursions through Chicago, Valparaiso, and the South Bend. In 1969, the 4070 pulled some excursions in Pennsylvania. The 4070 was also used at Conneaut Lake Park in PA. In 1971, MRHF bought out the lease. At one time in the early 70's the 4070 was stored underneath Cleveland's Terminal Tower. In 1975 it was selected to be used on the newly created Cuyahoga Valley Line - now known as the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Additionally, in 1983, the locomotive was painted as CB&Q 4070, and run to South Dayton, NY, for filming in the movie The Natural, starring Robert Redford, and released in 1984. After the movie, it continued to pull passenger trains on the Cuyahoga Valley Line until encountering mechanical difficulties in 1990. Upon inspection, 4070 was found to be in need of repairs. Seeing that the cost of the repairs would be prohibitive, 4070 was once again retired from service.
Second restoration
In 2011 the process started of restoring the locomotive to operational condition at the Midwest Railway Preservation Society in Cleveland, Ohio. The locomotive boiler and tender have both been tested using ultrasound. The locomotive must have its drypipe, and front and rear tube sheets replaced. In addition, the smokebox, firebox, frame, running gear, driving boxes, tender and many assorted parts all need major work before 4070 can be operational. The estimated cost of 4070's restoration is $1,290,000. When the money is funded, the restoration time would be set at around two years or more.
