Copyright © 1996-2007
Kevin E. Musser

Copper Range Steam Roster & Photos

A Boose photo of #26 in action at Houghton in August 29, 1939.
From the Felstead Collection. Kindly provided by Paul Meier

Total number of engines running on the Copper Range by year

The following is a list of engines owned by the Copper Range Railroad. This list does not include the diesel fleet of 3 loco's as that was not the Copper Range I want to remember. Two of these diesel's engines 100 and 101 should not be confused with the last two entries on this table. The ones on this chart are steam only. If you really want to see the Diesel roster go here.

The Copper Range purchased engines from 1899 until 1917. At this time they were running 23 engines until they started scrapping engines in the later 20's.

Only #29 survives today at Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom Wisconsin. It was used for a short time for the Keweenaw Central, a tourist railroad that ran in the Keweenaw in the 60's and ended in 1971.

Many thanks to Ray Buhrmaster for the creation of this list.

Notes:

1) #1 was retired 1/28; sold 11./35 to J.B. Markus & Co. Ripley (Hancock), Mi. for scrap
2) #3 was retired 8/39; scrapped 3/47 by Copper Range
3) #5 was Ex - Atlantic & Lake Superior #7, CR (1st) #25, renumbered to #5, sold 10/12 to Manistique & Lake Superior as #8, later renumbered to #2380
4) #21 was retired 7/20; sold 7/20 to Peter E. Meager, Duluth, MN, resold? to Mexico, wrecked enroute, scrapped
5) #22 was retired 7/20; sold 7/20 to Peter E. Meager, Duluth, MN, resold? to Mexico, wrecked enroute, scrapped
6) #23(1st) was never used; sold to Pittsburgh & Western #71, later B&O #1545
7) #23(2nd) was retired 4/47; sold 4/47 to West End Iron & Metal Co. Duluth, MN for scrap
8) #24 was retired 7/35; sold 7/35 to J.B. Markus & Co. Ripley (Hancock), Mi. for scrap
9) #25 was retired 7/35; sold 3/55 to Klatzky Bros. Houghton, Mi for scrap
10) #26 was retired 4/53; sold 3/55 to Klatzky Bros. Houghton, Mi for scrap
11) #27 was equipped with Southern Valve Gear, retired 9/51; sold 3/55 to Klatzky Bros. Houghton, Mi for scrap
12) #28 was retired 12/38; scrapped 1941-42 by Copper Range
13) #29 was retired 4/53, stored at Houghton roundhouse; sold 1967 to Keweenaw Central (2nd); to Mid Continent Railway Historical Society 5/2004
14) #30 was equipped with Southern Valve Gear; retired 4/47; sold 4/47 to J.H. Green & Co. Ripley (Hancock), Mi. for scrap
15) #50 was retired 7/35; sold 7/35 to J.B. Markus & Co. Ripley (Hancock), Mi. for scrap
16) #51 was retired 11/22; sold 11/22 to Harry P. Bourke, Excanaba, Mi.; resold to Northwestern Cooperage & Lumber Co., Gladstone, Mi.
17) #52(1st) was sold to Pittsburgh & Western #252, later B&O #286 class B-25
18) #52(2nd) was retired 1/28; sold 9/36 to J.B. Markus & Co. Ripley (Hancock), Mi.; to Stratton Lumber Co., Atlantic Mine, Mi?
19) #53 was ex DL&W #286; sold 1906 to Keweenaw Central #1
20) #54 was ex DL&W #339; sold 10/1/06 to Keweenaw Central #52
21) #55 was retired 7/35; sold 7/35 to J.B. Markus & Co. Ripley (Hancock), Mi. for scrap
22) #56 was equipped with Southern Valve Gear; retired 8/39; sold 1/47 to M.S. Kaplan Co. Chicago, Il. for scrap
23) #57 was retired 7/35; sold 7/35 to J.B. Markus & Co. Ripley (Hancock), Mi. for scrap
24) #58 was retired 12/46; sold 2/47 to J.B. Markus & Co. Ripley (Hancock), Mi. for scrap; shipped to Duluth for scrapping. (Only CR loco to wear the CR logo on the tender.)
25) #59 was retired 7/35; sold 7/35 to J.B. Markus & Co. Ripley (Hancock), Mi. for scrap
26) #60 was retired 7/35; sold 7/35 to J.B. Markus & Co. Ripley (Hancock), Mi. for scrap
27) #100(1st) was ex Northern Pacific #844, acquired 10/1899 via J.T. Gardner; sold to Townsend Reed & Co. Railroad Builders
28) #100(2nd) was equipped with Southern Valve Gear; retired 3/47, sold 3/47 to Hyman Michaels Co. Chicago, IL for scrap
29) #101(1st) was ex Northern Pacific #817, acquired 10/1899 via J.T. Gardner; sold 1906 to Keweenaw Central #101
30) #101(2nd) was equipped with Southern Valve Gear, retired 3/47; sold 3/47 to J.H. Green & Co. Ripley (Hancock), Mi. for scrap
31) #102 was ex Northern Pacific, acquired 10/1899 via J.T. Gardner; sold 1906 to Keweenaw Central #102