Info to Question;

What is the name of the first locomotive on the Northern Pacific Railway.

Minnetonka / Old Betsy

One of the first four locomotives purchased by the Northern Pacific was named Minnetonka. It was purchased from Smith & Porter in 1870 to be used for construction work.

Minnetonka was shipped to the West Coast in October 1871 for use during construction in Western Washington and when this construction was completed Minnetonka was sold in 1886 B.P. Turner of Olympia, Washington, for use in lumbering operations. It was resold in 1889 to the Port Blakely Mill Co. and used to build the line between Kamilche and Montesano. It was resold in 1895 or early 1896 to the Polson Brothers Logging Company at Hoquiam, Washington, and used in logging service until 1928 when it was set out on a spur in the woods. It was nicknamed Old Betsy during its career at Polson. In 1932, whil preparing to participate in the Century of Progress Exposition at Chicago in 1933-1934, the NP desired to reacquire Minnetonka to use as part of the transportation show. The show featured early and modern engines actually running across the stage. The NP traded Class F-1 2-8-0 No. 51 to Polson for Minnetonka. The Minnetonka was rebuilt and shipped to St. Paul by flatcar. No. 1 was painted on the engine during this period. The engine was then exhibited at the Chicago Fair. Later, Minnetonka was sent to Duluth and put on display indoors at the Lake Superior Museum of Transportation.

Minnetonka (1-3 old series) 0-4-0 switcher. Total built 4. Smith & Porter, 1870.
Northern Pacific's first locomotive.

The Minnetonka, a construction engine, was built in Pittsburgh, shipped by rail to Cleveland, then by lake steamer to Duluth. For a year it was used building the line from Carlton to Brainerd. Then the engine was shipped by rail to San Francisco and by steamer to the Columbia River and to Ainsworth where it was used in construction work to Spokane. It was sold in 1886 and never performed main line service. The Polson Logging Company had the engine in logging service until 1928 when it was abandoned in the woods.

In 1933 NP discovered the engine, traded a Baldwin hog, No. 51, for it, and after reconditioning has placed it on exhibition numerous times. The photo was made at Wallace, Idaho, June 13, 1958.