TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD — When the 1385 steam locomotive arrived here, the historic engine that at one time pulled the Circus Train was in pieces.
Workers lift the 1385 steam locomotive to a flatbed trailer at Spec Machine north of Middleton on Monday. After a more than 11-year, $3 million restoration effort, the locomotive, built in 1907, is headed back to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom. To see a gallery of more photos, visit madison.com.
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A semi pulls a 12-axle, 96-wheel trailer loaded with a 185,000-pound steam locomotive on Riles Road in the town of Springfield on Monday.
The 1385 steam locomotive rides atop a massive trailer Monday on Highway 12 as it makes its way to a railway spur at Middleton Co-op.
Bystanders at the intersection of highways 12 and K watch the locomotive's journey.
Photos: Restored steam locomotive begins its journey home
Workers lift the 1385 steam locomotive to a flatbed trailer at Spec Machine north of Middleton on Monday. After a more than 11-year, $3 million restoration effort, the locomotive, built in 1907, is headed back to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom. To see a gallery of more photos, visit madison.com.
A semi pulls a 12-axle, 96-wheel trailer loaded with a 185,000-pound steam locomotive on Riles Road in the town of Springfield on Monday.
Bystanders at the intersection of highways 12 and K watch the locomotive's journey.
The 1385 steam locomotive rides atop a massive trailer Monday on Highway 12 as it makes its way to a railway spur at Middleton Co-op.
Workers and bystanders watch as a restored steam locomotive is lifted for transfer to a flatbed trailer at Spec Machine in Middleton, Wis. Monday, July 7, 2025. After a more than 11-year, $3 million restoration effort at Spec Machine a few miles north of Middleton, the 1385 steam locomotive began its journey back to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in central Sauk County. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Workers secure a 185,000-pound steam locomotive engine after being lifted onto a flatbed trailer at Spec Machine in Middleton, Wis. Monday, July 7, 2025. After a more than 11-year, $3 million restoration effort at Spec Machine a few miles north of Middleton, the 1385 steam locomotive began its journey back to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in central Sauk County. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Workers secure a 185,000-pound steam locomotive engine after being lifted onto a flatbed trailer at Spec Machine in Middleton, Wis. Monday, July 7, 2025. After a more than 11-year, $3 million restoration effort at Spec Machine a few miles north of Middleton, the 1385 steam locomotive began its journey back to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in central Sauk County. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Workers and bystanders watch as a restored steam locomotive is prepared for transfer to a flatbed trailer at Spec Machine in Middleton, Wis. Monday, July 7, 2025. After a more than 11-year, $3 million restoration effort at Spec Machine a few miles north of Middleton, the 1385 steam locomotive began its journey back to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in central Sauk County. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Workers position a 185,000-pound steam locomotive engine onto a flatbed trailer at Spec Machine in Middleton, Wis. Monday, July 7, 2025. After a more than 11-year, $3 million restoration effort at Spec Machine a few miles north of Middleton, the 1385 steam locomotive began its journey back to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in central Sauk County. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
The 1385 steam locomotive restored by Steve Roudebush, second from left, leaves the work space it occupied for the last 11 years at Spec Machine in Middleton, Wis. Monday, July 7, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Workers prepare to lift a restored steam locomotive onto a flatbed trailer at Spec Machine in Middleton, Wis. Monday, July 7, 2025. After a more than 11-year, $3 million restoration effort at Spec Machine a few miles north of Middleton, the 1385 steam locomotive began its journey back to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in central Sauk County. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
The 1385 steam locomotive restored by Steve Roudebush, right, leaves the work space it occupied for the last 11 years at Spec Machine in Middleton, Wis. Monday, July 7, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
A worker welds a restored steam locomotive into place on a flatbed trailer at Spec Machine in Middleton, Wis. Monday, July 7, 2025. After a more than 11-year, $3 million restoration effort at Spec Machine a few miles north of Middleton, the 1385 steam locomotive began its journey back to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in central Sauk County. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
The 1385 steam locomotive restored by Steve Roudebush, left, leaves the work space it occupied for the last 11 years at Spec Machine in Middleton, Wis. Monday, July 7, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
The 1385 steam locomotive restored by Steve Roudebush, left, leaves the work space it occupied for the last 11 years at Spec Machine in Middleton, Wis. Monday, July 7, 2025. At right is Andy Spinelli, president of the Mid-Continent Railway Museum where the locomotive will be permanently located. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
A 185,000-pound steam locomotive engine is transported along Maly Road in Middleton, Wis. Monday, July 7, 2025. After a more than 11-year, $3 million restoration effort at Spec Machine a few miles north of Middleton, the 1385 steam locomotive began its journey back to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in central Sauk County. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
A 185,000-pound steam locomotive engine is transported along Riles Road in Middleton, Wis. Monday, July 7, 2025. After a more than 11-year, $3 million restoration effort at Spec Machine a few miles north of Middleton, the 1385 steam locomotive began its journey back to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in central Sauk County. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
A 185,000-pound steam locomotive engine is transported along U.S. Highway 12 in Middleton, Wis. Monday, July 7, 2025. After a more than 11-year, $3 million restoration effort at Spec Machine a few miles north of Middleton, the 1385 steam locomotive began its journey back to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in central Sauk County. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
A 185,000-pound steam locomotive engine is transported along Pheasant Branch Road in Middleton, Wis. Monday, July 7, 2025. After a more than 11-year, $3 million restoration effort at Spec Machine a few miles north of Middleton, the 1385 steam locomotive began its journey back to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in central Sauk County. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
A 185,000-pound steam locomotive engine is transported along Pheasant Branch Road in Middleton, Wis. Monday, July 7, 2025. After a more than 11-year, $3 million restoration effort at Spec Machine a few miles north of Middleton, the 1385 steam locomotive began its journey back to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in central Sauk County. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
A 185,000-pound steam locomotive engine is transported along Pheasant Branch Road in Middleton, Wis. Monday, July 7, 2025. After a more than 11-year, $3 million restoration effort at Spec Machine a few miles north of Middleton, the 1385 steam locomotive began its journey back to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in central Sauk County. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
