The Minneapolis and St. Louis 457 steam locomotive engine, better known as the Cannonball 457 has had a full upgrade and even got a bit of identification back.

All steam engines were made with identifying number plates and sometime over the years of the 457's slow decline in East Park, prior to the formation of the Friends of the 457, the identification plate was stolen.

And so it was that Dennis Wilson of Friends of the 457 and Mark Suby, Mason City Parks and Recreation board, found their way to the shop of metalworker Steve Mason who cast a copy of the 457's sister engine, the 452's, plate.

Mason then changed the numbers from 452 to 457, creating a perfect reproduction of the missing plate.

"It's not the farthest I've traveled for train parts, but it sure is good to have this piece r

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