Friday, May 30, 2014

Steam on the Chelatchie Prairie: The Locomotive

IMG_6552 Crosset Western 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2007
Crossett Western Co. 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2010

The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad's steam locomotive is former Crossett Western Company #10, a 2-8-2T locomotive built by the American Locomotive Company, or Alco, in 1929.

IMG_6527 Crosset Western 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2007
Crossett Western Co. 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2010

This is a tank engine, meaning that it does not pull a tender behind it. Instead, it carries its fuel oil and water in large tanks mounted on top of the boiler and behind the cab.

IMG_6528 Crosset Western 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2007
Crossett Western Co. 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2010

This was an advantage for branch lines and logging railroads, as it significantly reduced the overall length of the locomotive and allowed it to more easily operate in reverse as there was no tender behind that would otherwise be pushed when operating in reverse.

IMG_6544 Crosset Western 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2007
Crossett Western Co. 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2010

Builder American Locomotive Company, Brooks Works
Builder Number 67652
Wheel Arrangement 2-8-2T
Delivered February 1929
Tractive Effort 28,500 lbs.
Steam Pressure 190 psi
Cylinder Diameter 18 in.
Cylinder Stroke 24 in.
Driving Wheel Diameter 44 in.
Weight of Engine 168,000 lbs.
Weight on Drivers 120,500 lbs.
Working Weight 80 tons

IMG_6548 Crosset Western 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2007
Crossett Western Co. 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2010

This was the last locomotive built at Alco's Brooks Works in Dunkirk, New York, and was the next to last piece of railroad equipment built there. (A 12' snow plow for the Southern Pacific would be the last piece of equipment.)

IMG_6549 Crosset Western 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2007
Crossett Western Co. 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2010

The locomotive was built for the Crossett Western Company for use at Wauna, Oregon. Crossett Western was bought out in 1941.

IMG_6547 Crosset Western 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2007
Crossett Western Co. 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2010

In 1943, the locomotive was sold to the Hammond Lumber Company for use at Samoa, California, becoming their #16.

IMG_6546 Crosset Western 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2007
Crossett Western Co. 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2010

In 1953, Hammond was bought out by Georgia-Pacific and in October 1956 the locomotive was used in Fortuna, California.

IMG_6545 Crosset Western 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2007
Crossett Western Co. 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2010

Harry Morgan of the Fortuna Kiwanis Club acquired the locomotive in 1964 and donated to the City of Fortuna who put it on display in a park in November, 1966.

IMG_6550 Crosset Western 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2007
Crossett Western Co. 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2010

In 1974 the locomotive was sold to Peter J. Riplinger of Shelton, Washington.

IMG_6551 Crosset Western 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2007
Crossett Western Co. 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2010

In 2002 the locomotive was leased to the Battle Ground, Yacolt & Chelatchie Prairie to be restored to operation in excursion service.

IMG_6529 Crosset Western 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2007
Crossett Western Co. 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2010

Restoration was completed in 2006 and the locomotive pulled its first excursion trains in December.

IMG_6543 Crosset Western 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2007
Crossett Western Co. 2-8-2T #10 in Yacolt on May 27, 2010

Continue to The Excursion Train

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