Minnesota Power & Light 45-ton

The Minnesota Power & Light 45-ton is a GE 45-ton locomotive built in 1952. It worked its entire life at the company's Syl Laskin Energy Center in Hoyt Lakes, first building the plant and then hauling in cuts of coal cars. After one of it's two electric traction motors burned out it was retired in favor of a newer trackmobile. The engine was donated to the Museum and restored. We rebuilt the burned traction motor and put on new chains, brakes and repaired the airbrake system. It is a handy little switch engine that sees much use around the yard. While the engine has an early remote control system, it is not used. MP had difficulties with it and almost put the engine in the Lake as a result.