GLADSTONE — The No. 730 steam engine that once chugged along the Soo Line Railroad and now sits on a bit of track on the edge of the Canadian National railyard on the outskirts of Gladstone got a cleaning Wednesday, thanks to the nonprofit that supports its maintenance, the City of Gladstone and an area business.

Since the Gladstone Michigan Soo Line Steam Engine #730 Authority formed a few years ago to restore the aged locomotive and clean it regularly, the task has gotten easier. President John Pickard noted that now, thanks to wire mesh that keeps birds out, there is far less to clean off the engine.

This time around, GreenTree Auto Styling, a car detailing shop in Escanaba, donated some products to help clean No. 730. On Wednesday afternoon, after the engine was hosed down by Parks and Recreation employees using a water buffalo tank and power washer, a foaming wash was applied and soon after rinsed off.