They said that it was possible to empty the tender of almost all coal and water while pulling a load of empty ore cars up the hill from Duluth to Proctor. This is hard to believe and perhaps it is a bit of an exaggeration, but it does show that this was one or the more difficult tasks for the Yellowstones. They were all retired between 1958 and 1963. By the late 1960s, the locomotive was showing signs of severe decay. Looks pretty rough, doesn't it.
Proctor is a few miles west of Duluth and the site of a large railroad yard.
This will probably extend its life on display as moisture will not be trapped against the boiler. Yellowstone 227 was stored at the Proctor roundhouse until 1967. It is now on display inside the Lake Superior Transportation Museum. As a result, it is difficult to get a decent photograph of her. This postcard was taken years ago when she was still outside.