Having acquired America's first Mikado (2-8-2) type when it merged the Bismarck, Great Falls and Washburn Railway in 1904,[1] it was eight years before the Soo Line ordered a 2-8-2 of its own.

The L-1 class were used for powering time freights system wide on both the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste.

One locomotive, the 1003, was placed in the strategic reserve, and stored serviceable in the Gladstone, Michigan roundhouse.

1003 has run steam excursions in Duluth, Minnesota, on The Osceola and St. Croix Valley Railroad with cousin Soo Line 2719 and Northern Pacific 328 in 1998, the Wisconsin Central before merging with the Canadian National in 2001, also making an excursions in the early 2000s on the Wisconsin Southern Railroad.

1003 made a rare, first-time trek to Chicago, Illinois, via the Canadian National, Wisconsin Southern, Metra, and Canadian Pacific lines, making a special appearance at Galewood Metra station to benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children.