Rail fans in Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties get treat when steam locomotive passes through

Train fans from around the area gathered in Waupun Sunday, October 26, 2025, to see an old steam locomotive pass through.

The historic Soo Line 1003 steam locomotive made the pass through town, as well as multiple other areas in southeast Wisconsin as part of a photo op given to a handful of paid rail fans.

The steam engine was seen pulling nine rail cars and a caboose as it passed through the city.

According to the train owners website, the event was scheduled to celebrate the trains 10 year anniversary on the social media site YouTube.

Paying fans were given multiple photo runbys as the train was set in different settings with various stage actors and vintage vehicles throughout the Wisconsin countryside. The locations were kept secret for only the paid supporters, but others who were aware of the trains travels, gathered at locations like Waupun, to see the train as it made its way back to it’s home base in Hartford.

The steam locomotive was built by the American Locomotive Company in 1913 in Schenectady, New York, and is now owned, maintained, and operated by the Steam Locomotive Heritage Association in Hartford.