734 has remained out of service for a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)-mandated rebuild, and the WMSR set the restoration of former Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) 2-6-6-2 No.

18-20) constructed in 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, in response to booming iron ore train traffic on the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad (LS&I) in Upper Michigan, before and during World War I.

[1][5] The locomotives were also built with 88-inch (2,235 mm) diameter boilers, resulting in their domes being squat and bells being mounted aside from the top—it led to LS&I crews nicknaming them Hogs.

[1] The LS&I assigned the SC-1s to replace three smaller 2-8-0 locomotives in pulling strings of empty hopper cars up a 1.63%-grade to iron ore mines in Ishpeming and Negaunee.

[9] In 1924, the LS&I was reorganized after merging with the Munising, Marquette and Southeastern Railway (MM&SE), and all locomotives the railroad retained were renumbered.

34 continued to operate on the LS&I solely as stand-by power for diesel locomotives until its retirement from revenue service in 1961.

34 was traded to a private IRM member alongside a combine car, in exchange for Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) No.

734 was moved inside the WMSR's former WM shop complex in Ridgeley, West Virginia, where restoration work took place.

[21] Crews worked thoroughly to make the SC-1 resemble a WM H Class 2-8-0, with the cab side sheets being replaced with ones with WM-style windows, and the Worthington BL feedwater heater being replaced with a cross-compound air pump.

734 pulled ten CSX hopper cars for a WMSR photographer charter, which was organized by Carl Franz.

[27][23] The locomotive was subsequently used to pull freight trains for additional photo charters in the following years.

[4][32][33] In 1998, the locomotive was modified with an automatic coal stoker, allowing for easier labor for the fireman during the summer months.

734 participated in an event that celebrated the 25th anniversary of the WMSR's operations, and tank locomotives Viscose Company No.

734 beyond its operating limits, and it resulted in many critical components being mechanically worn out, including the running gear.

734 only capable of pulling seven loaded passenger cars unassisted on the WMSR’s steep grades, while the railroad required longer and heavier trains, the WMSR decided to acquire a larger steam locomotive to restore and operate, and it led to the acquisition of C&O mallet No.

734 took part in a final photo charter for Lerro Productions, before it had to be removed from service to undergo a federally mandated 1,472-day overhaul.

734 would require a lengthy and expensive rebuild, due to its poor mechanical condition, and that it would be useful for lighter off-season service and as back-up power for No.

[44] In March 2022, the WMSR launched a fundraising campaign to perform a complete evaluation on No.

[41][45] In early 2025, the WMSR announced their partnership with PBS program Great Scenic Railway Journeys, which launched a matching grant campaign to raise $10,000 for No.

[46][47] The railroad also began to prepare the locomotive for running gear evaluation and ultrasound mapping.