By Nicolette Helling & photojournalist Adam Jagunich, FOX 21 News

DULUTH - For Northland train enthusiasts, fall is a special time of year.

This weekend the North Shore Scenic Railroad began offering fall color rides on a steam engine.

The trips to Two Harbors are run by a man who's spent nearly his entire life riding the rails.

The train is an antique, operating in a modern world.

Steam engine 2719 was up and running Sunday, giving anxious riders a chance to go back in time.

"It's enjoyable, very enjoyable to run this old girl again," said Frank Christopherson.

The train is dirty and it's loud.

But for those who know it best, the steam engine is beautiful.

Christopherson was the operating engineer on Sunday and rumor has it, he really knows how to drive.

"Well I can make 'em go, yes," said Christopherson. "She's a beautiful old steam engine and she wants to run. The big thing is to keep your eye on the steam and the water, particularly the water so that the water doesn't get too low and blow the boiler up."

After a 53–year railroad career, Christopherson can't seem to quit, and runs the steam engine as a volunteer.

"The first ten years I worked on the railroad, that's all we had was steam engines," said Christopherson. "Gratifying experience to go back 50 years and see if I still remember, and I did."

Nowadays Christopherson says you'd be hard pressed to find many operating, steam engines in the U.S.

That's why these fall color rides are so special.

But passengers should be prepared for all the joys of riding a steam engine.

"You get a shower if you're looking out the window when he lays on the horn," said one train rider.

All along Scenic Highway 61, people try to catch a glimpse and snap a photo before the train steams past.

To ge to Two Harbos and back, it takes about four tons of coal and 1,000 gallons of water.

But with the right ingredients, Christopherson can make this old train sound like it was just set on the tracks yesterday.

On North Shore's track, Christopherson is only allowed to go about 30 miles per hour.

But, he says, on a different set of track, he can take the 86–year–old steam engine to upwards of 60 miles per hour.

"When you're out there, you're kind of your own boss," said Christopherson. "It's up to you to get over the road and get the train in where it's supposed to be."

The fall color rides on the steam engine will be offered the next three weekends on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets are availbale at The Depot.