Chicago & North Western #1385’s two air compressors underwent testing on October 16, 2020 with the help of the Roudebush family’s steam traction engine. The steam-driven air compressors supply the air pressure needed to operate the braking system for the 1385 and its train.

This was the first time the compressors have operated in over 20 years. As the video shows, both air compressors passed the Federal Railroad Administration’s requirements for service although further tweaking will be done to improve performance.

Video clips provided by M.L. Deets, Steve Roudebush, and MCRM archival video recorded by Dorthy Lane Streck