The Venerable 353

 

The story of the 353 goes back to 1971 according to the Rollag 50th year show book. It was purchased and then a little over 10 years later it was ready to move on Rollag's Steamer Hill. A lot of volunteer hours went into restoring the engine and laying out the track and grade on the show ground.

The 353 is a former Soo Line and then ran in private service for a few years until it wound up at the Minnesota Transportation Museum. It is at that point some Rollag fellows found out about it and convinced the Rollag show that a full-size engine around the grounds would be a great attraction. They were right.

This train to no-where circles the grounds and carries hundreds, maybe even thousands of guests, each year during Labor Day weekend. 

On the grounds, the train passes 3 depots- the former Hickson, ND depot, the former Hitterdal, MN depot, and the Baker MN depot. There might also be the remains of the Buttzville, ND depot but I am not sure. The building that is used as a restroom near the Hickson depot has some information inside about Buttzville. It is entirely possible that it is clever joke. 

The picture above was taken at the Baker depot as the 353 was pulling away after its Main Street stop.

Most of the track and ties are from Great Northern or Burlington Northern abandoned lines that were installed at Rollag after the acquisition of the engine. Quite the undertaking considering it was all volunteer work.