Throughout the 1950s North American railroad companies began converting their rolling stock from steam to diesel powered locomotives. Concurrently, many railoard companies were also eliminating their passenger service operations. As an effort to preserve their historic railroading heritage, cities all across North America began requesting that railroad companies donate retired train engines for the cities to display. In the late 1950s the City of Eau Claire requested and received a 4-6-2 Pacific type steam locomotive from the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railway Company to be placed on permanent display in the city.
From the description of Eau Claire Soo Line Locomotive collection, 1958-1960. (University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire). WorldCat record id: 69666778
