On Thursday August 7, 2008 a Funeral Train ran in Wisconsin. It was a steam powered funeral train. Something I thought I would never see. The train ran on the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad. The train was in a tribute of James Gardner, father of William Gardner President of the WSOR. The 3 car train was powered by Soo Line #1003. James Gardner was an inventor and held the patent for the “Gardner Bender” one of the first pipe bender, you may have one in your basement.
The Funeral train ran from Hartford, WI to Slinger,WI just a couple of miles but a great tribute to a very interesting man. Click for Obituarie from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel http://www.legacy.com/JSOnline/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=114936940
The funeral train and events leading up to it were very well done with respect to the family. The train was in Hartford and pulled up to the grade crossing. While waiting a 21 gun salute was heard. Then the pallbearers all wearing overalls and white shirts loaded the casket into the baggage car. Then the #1003 departed town with a hard start and a great display in honor of Mr Gardner. Then just outside of Slinger the casket was again removed from the baggage car and the cars were set out and #1003 headed back to Hartford.
Here are some shots from the “Gardner Funeral Train”.
Entire train in Hartford, WI
Soo #1003 draped with cloth and adorned with US Flags
WSOR work trucks parked nearby as employees pay their respects
[img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3035/2742848122_ed7b1a1cb