BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

MADRID — A century-old steam locomotive that once hauled freight across St. Lawrence County is headed home.

The St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum has received approval to acquire Locomotive 210 of the former Norwood & St. Lawrence Railroad and relocate it from the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pa., to the museum's grounds in Madrid.

Museum officials said they received a Pick Up Notice from the New York State Bureau of Federal Property Assistance on June 18 authorizing the transfer.

The locomotive, built by the American Locomotive Company in 1923, was delivered to the St. Regis Paper Company mill in Norfolk for service on the Norwood & St. Lawrence Railroad. According to the museum, it was the fifth engine to operate on the line and the last steam-powered locomotive still operating among the North Country's short-line railroads.

The Norwood & St. Lawrence Railroad operated 13 miles of track between Norfolk, Norwood and the river port at Waddington.

A long ride home

Bringing the locomotive back to St. Lawrence County will take time.

Museum officials said Locomotive 210 requires repairs and asbestos abatement before it can be transported. Track must also be installed at the museum before the locomotive arrives.

Once preparations are complete, the locomotive will be lifted by crane and transported to Madrid by truck or rail.

Officials said the locomotive is no longer suitable for operation because of the condition of its boiler, wheels and bearings, but it remains an important piece of local railroad history.

Locomotive 210 has had a long journey since its retirement in the 1950s. The engine was abandoned in a junkyard, purchased by a private owner and eventually relocated to Steamtown, where it remained on display for decades.

Museum officials said many North Country railroad families kept track of the locomotive over the years and hoped to see it return home someday.

However, the real effort to bring the locomotive home began after Bill VanKennen, president of the Norfolk History Museum and a member of the Power & Equipment Museum, learned during a 2025 visit to Steamtown that the locomotive might become available, officials say.

VanKennen's father had operated Locomotive 210, and he believed the engine belonged back in St. Lawrence County.

The museum, located about nine miles from the locomotive's original home in Norfolk, began discussions with Steamtown officials and later submitted a proposal to acquire the locomotive and establish a Railroad History Center on the museum grounds.

During a review of its collection, Steamtown determined that Locomotive 210 was excess property and no longer a contributing piece of its exhibits, opening the door for transfer to another preservation organization.

Museum President Scott Wilson called the locomotive's return "a great addition to the museum."

While Steamtown management supported its return home, the 210 first had to be declared federal surplus. 

Officials say NY Federal Surplus Coordinator William Santiago helped with the process.

“That’s a real piece of New York history,” he said.

Once  Steamtown relinquished custody of the 210, he submitted a claim and assured its release to the Museum. 

Museum officials offered appreciation to him and Steamtown, especially Park Superintendent Jeremy M. Komasz, Brian Reklaitis, Joseph M. Patishnock and its mechanics.

Display plans

The museum plans to build a short section of track this summer for the locomotive. After its arrival, construction will begin on a Railroad History Center that will include an engine house and an interpretive depot building.

Large viewing windows and lighting will allow visitors to see the locomotive year-round.

Officials estimate the project will take three to five years to complete.

The museum is seeking sponsors, donors and volunteers to help support relocation of the locomotive and construction of the Railroad History Center.

Its management and operations are provided entirely by volunteers. 

The St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum is a volunteer-run educational organization that preserves and interprets North Country history through exhibits, demonstrations and historic collections spread across more than 50 buildings on its 115-acre campus.

For membership and other information, email slpeminfo@gmail.com or call 315-250-9141.

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