Trains in the Columbia River Gorge in Fall 2002

This group of pictures was taken by my dad, Cliff West, while railfanning with Fred Anderson in the Columbia River Gorge in the fall of 2002. These Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight trains were seen in and just west of Wishram, Washington.

Photo by Cliff West

Burlington Northern Santa Fe #755 is a 4,400-horsepower Dash 9-44CW that was built by General Electric in August 1997. It is painted in the BNSF version of the Santa Fe “Warbonnet” colors with small initials on the long hood.

Photo by Cliff West

This locomotive was part of the first order to be delivered in this variation.

Photo by Cliff West

Burlington Northern Santa Fe #4423 is a 4,400-horsepower Dash 9-44CW that was built by General Electric in April 1999.

Photo by Cliff West

Burlington Northern Santa Fe #5298 is a 4,400-horsepower Dash 9-44CW that was built by General Electric in June 2001.

Photo by Cliff West

A vintage diesel locomotive and caboose were under restoration for static display at the site of the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum in Stevenson, Washington. This locomotive was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in LaGrange, Illinois as a 1,750-horsepower F9A for the Northern Pacific Railway in March 1956. It was originally numbered #7013D and was a freight locomotive on the Northern Pacific Railway. In April 1965 it was reassigned to passenger service and renumbered #6704A, (taking the number of another 1956 F9A that had been reassigned to freight service and renumbered to #7052A in 1960). As #6704A, one of its assignments was to pull the Vista Dome North Coast Limited between Chicago and Seattle. The Northern Pacific became part of the Burlington Northern in March 1970, and the locomotive became Burlington Northern #9816. Amtrak took over passenger service in 1971 and the locomotive was reassigned back to freight service. In June 1973 it was renumbered to Burlington Northern #782. In December 1981 it was converted to Rotary Snowplow Power Unit (RSPU) #972569 and used in the Midwest. It was retired in 1998 and Burlington Northern Santa Fe donated the empty carbody to the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum for static display. The museum restored the unit as Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway #802. The real SP&S #802 was an earlier 1,500-horsepower F3A built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in November 1948. The Spokane, Portland & Seattle did not own any F9As. When SP&S became part of Burlington Northern, SP&S #802 became Burlington Northern #9752. In July 1972 it became Rotary Snowplow Power Unit #972551, but a locomotive shortage returned it to service as locomotive #9752 in 1974. It was renumbered to #712 in 1976 and was retired in November 1981 and scrapped.

Photo by Cliff West

The diesel locomotive is accompanied by this wooden caboose, which was built in 1947 for the Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway as #701. It came to the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum before the locomotive.

SP&S #700 in Beaverton in July 1999

In July 1999, my dad and I were in Beaverton, Oregon, trying to photograph an excursion train pulled by Spokane, Portland & Seattle steam locomotive #700 on the Willamette & Pacific line. While we waited for the steam train, a group of four Willamette & Pacific diesels passed through. The lead locomotive was Willamette & Pacific #2317, Tigard, a 2,300-horsepower GP39-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in 1974 as Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe #3616. It is one of a group of 17 GP39-2s Willamette & Pacific acquired from the Santa Fe in 1993.

Spokane, Portland & Seattle #700 is one of three 4-8-4s built for the SP&S in 1938 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. These locomotives were identical to A-3 class locomotives then being delivered to SP&S's parent, the Northern Pacific Railway, except that the SP&S locomotives burned oil instead of coal. By 1955, the SP&S had completed dieselization and was ready to retire the last of its steam locomotives. After pulling 1,400 passengers on a 21-car Farewell to Steam Excursion between Portland and Wishram, Washington on May 20, 1956, #700 joined the rest of SP&S's steam locomotives in a scrap line. After the Union Pacific offered the City of Portland 4-6-2 Pacific #3203 to display in a park, SP&S donated #700 on January 13, 1958, and would be the only SP&S or NP Northern to survive; in fact only one other SP&S steam locomotive survived.

SP&S #700 was put on static display at Oaks Amusement Park along with UP ##203 and SP #4449. After SP #4449's restoration to pull the American Freedom Train in 1976,15-year-old Chris McLarney founded the Pacific Railroad Preservation Association in 1977 to restore #700. The locomotive returned to operation in 1990.

On this particular July weekend in 1999, SP&S #700 was pulling a series of short round-trip excursions out of Beaverton as part of the "Taste of Beaverton" festival.

SP #4449 & SP&S #700 at the Portland Union Station Centennial

At the 100th Anniversary of Union Station in Portland, Oregon, on May 11, 1996, Portland's two operating mainline steam locomotives, Southern Pacific #4449 and Spokane, Portland & Seattle #700, were displayed side-by-side. Both are 4-8-4-type locomotives. #4449 is a GS-4 class locomotive, built by the Lima Locomotive Works in 1941 for glamorous service pulling Southern Pacific's premier Daylight streamlined passenger trains in Southern California. It was replaced by diesels and retired on October 2, 1957. #700 in one of three 4-8-4s built for the SP&S in 1938 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. These locomotives were identical to A-3 class locomotives then being delivered to SP&S's parent, the Northern Pacific Railway, except that the SP&S locomotives burned oil instead of coal. By 1955, the SP&S had completed dieselization and was ready to retire the last of its steam locomotives. After pulling 1,400 passengers on a 21-car Farewell to Steam Excursion between Portland and Wishram, Washington on May 20, 1956, #700 joined the rest of SP&S's steam locomotives in a scrap line. After the Union Pacific offered the City of Portland 4-6-2 Pacific #3203 to display in a park, SP&S donated #700 on January 13, 1958, and would be the only SP&S or NP Northern to survive; in fact only one other SP&S steam locomotive survived. Southern Pacific donated #4449 to the City of Portland on April 24, 1958. All three locomotives were put on static display at Oaks Amusement Park. On December 14, 1974, #4449 was removed from Oaks Park and moved to Burlington Northern's Hoyt Street Roundhouse near Union Station for restoration to pull the American Freedom Train, a museum train of American artifacts that traveled the country in celebration of the Bicentennial in 1976. #4449's boiler was put to steam on April 18, 1975 for the first time since 1957. She moved under her own power on April 21, and was christened on May 16. She left Portland on June 20 to take over the Freedom Train in Chicago on August 4. #4449 pulled the Freedom Train for the rest of its tour until it ended in Miami on December 31, 1976. #4449 returned to Portland by pulling a series of "Amtrak Transcontinental Steam Excursions" across the South and West in April, 1977, still in its Freedom Train paint but with the "Amtrak" name added to the tender. #4449 arrived in Portland on May 1, having visited at least 30 states (many more than once) during its Freedom Train and Amtrak Excursion travels, and was placed in indoor storage. In 1981, #4449 emerged, restored to the post-WWII version of its Daylight paint. After #4449's restoration, 15-year-old Chris McLarney founded the Pacific Railroad Preservation Association in 1977 to restore #700. The locomotive returned to operation in 1990.

Puget Sound Railway Historical Association in 1994

In 1994, we stopped by the Puget Sound Railway Historical Association (now the Northwest Railway Museum) in Snoqualmie, Washington. I photographed the equipment by the depot, even though most of it was in the shade.

Spokane, Portland & Seattle combine #272 was built by Barney & Smith in 1915 as a coach. It was converted to a combine in 1955. The Spokane, Portland & Seattle was merged into Burlington Northern in March 1970. The museum purchased the car from Burlington Northern in 1977.

45-Tonner #7320 was built by General Electric in 1941. It was originally used in the construction of the Elwood Ordinance Plant in Wilmington, Illinois by contractors Sanderson & Porter. It was later transferred to the U.S. Army Transportation Corps and became #7320. It was transferred to the U.S. Navy around 1956 for use at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. After it was retired, the museum leased it from Washington State Parks in 1976.

U.S. Army Ambulance Kitchen Car #89601 was built by St. Louis Car Co. in 1953. It was originally built to provide meal service for ambulance trains carrying injured troops, but soon after it was built, aircraft became the Army’s primary means of transporting troops. It was stored at Fort Lewis for over 20 years without ever being placed in service. After retirement, it was sold to the Kennecott Copper Company to be converted to a tool car at a Utah mine, however the mine was shut down before the car was converted. It was donated by Kennecott Copper Company in 1987.

Great Northern baggage car #485 was built by Pullman in 1921 as a 12 Section - 1 Drawing Room sleeping car named Epicurus. It became Tourist Sleeper #1056 in 1941. It was retired in 1948 and sold to Great Northern and rebuilt as baggage car #485. The Great Northern was merged into Burlington Northern in March 1970. After Amtrak took over passenger service in 1971, Burlington Northern assigned the car to maintenance of way service as #950190. It was purchased from Burlington Northern in 1986.

This Kershaw Ballast Regulator was built in 1963 for Great Northern.

This former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy caboose is in the yard of a home in Snoqualmie near the depot, but is not part of the museum.

Spokane, Portland & Seattle coach #276 was built by Barney & Smith in 1915. The Spokane, Portland & Seattle was merged into Burlington Northern in March 1970. It was purchased from Burlington Northern in 1972.

Spokane, Portland & Seattle coach #213 was built by Barney & Smith in 1912. The wooden car was retired by 1950. The museum purchased it from a private owner in 1977.

Kennecott Copper Company #201 is an RSD-4 built by the American Locomotive Company (Alco) in 1951. A total of 36 RSD-4s were built from 1951 to 1952, compared to 204 RSD-5s built from 1952 to 1956, which were identical except for the main generator. This was the only RSD-4 purchased by Kennecott Copper and is the only remaining RSD-4 in existence. It was donated to the museum in 1983.

The Snoqualmie Depot was built in 1890 by the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railway. In 1896, the railroad was reorganized as the Seattle International Railway, and it was taken over by the Northern Pacific Railway in 1901. The Northern Pacific was merged into the Burlington Northern in March, 1970, and by the mid-1970s, freight trains to Snoqualmie were being routed over the Milwaukee Road line. The Burlington Northern abandoned the line in 1975, donating the Snoqualmie depot and several miles of track to the Puget Sound Railway Historical Association. In 1981, the depot was restored to its 1890s appearance.

National Train Day 2010 in Portland, Oregon: Conclusion

I originally posted this on my old website on the PORTLAND PLACES: Portland Union Station page on May 16, 2010.

Continued from Amtrak Cascades Talgo Tour…

Also on display were a couple of motorcars, or speeders, displayed by members of the North American Railcar Operators Society, a group of private motorcar owners that arrange to operator their vehicles on railroad lines.

Speeder at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on May 8, 2010

This Tamper TMC2 named "Sophia" was built in 1984 for the Southern Pacific Railroad. It is powered by an 18-horsepower 2-cylinder Briggs & Stratton engine with a snowmobile-style automatic transmission. Current owners Kay and Guy Howard of Junction City, Oregon restored it to operation in 2006.

Speeder at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on May 8, 2010

This Fairmont MT-14-M was built in May 1986 for the Union Pacific Railroad. It was last stationed in Pocatello, Idaho and was numbered #2615. It is powered by a 20-horsepower 2-cylinder Onan engine with a 2-speed transmission and has a top speed of over 40 miles per hour.

SP #4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on May 8, 2010

Here are some additional photographs of #4449, the Mount Hood, Oregon Pacific #1202 and the Union Pacific caboose as they were rearranged at the end of the event to return home.

OPR #1202 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on May 8, 2010

UP #25198 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on May 8, 2010

SP #4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on May 8, 2010

Here is #4449 positioning itself to lead the consist back towards Brooklyn Yard.

SP #4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on May 8, 2010

UP #25198 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on May 8, 2010

Here is the train starting over the Steel Bridge.

UP #25198 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on May 8, 2010

The Oregon Pacific diesel and Union Pacific caboose would be set off at East Portland Yard to return to Milwaukie while #4449 and the Mount Hood would continue back to the Brooklyn Roundhouse.

UP #25198 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on May 8, 2010

The following video shows #4449 departing Union Station at the end of the day, and Oregon Pacific #1202 returning to Milwaukie with with Union Pacific caboose.

4449 departing Portland Union Station after National Train Day 2010.

PNWC #600 Mount Hood at National Train Day 2010

I originally posted this on my old website on the PORTLAND PLACES: Portland Union Station page on May 16, 2010.

…Continued from National Train Day 2010 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon.

Mount Hood at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on May 8, 2010

The Mount Hood, SP&S #600, is one of two sleeper-lounge cars ordered from the Pullman-Standard Manufacturing Company of Chicago in September 1946 by the Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway for the Portland section of Great Northern's Empire Builder. It was delivered in February 1950 and was refurbished by Pullman in 1968 as the company's last project before exiting the sleeping car business. When the SP&S became part of Burlington Northern in 1970, the Mount Hood was assigned #1205, and it was leased by Amtrak from May 1, 1971 until early 1972. The Mount Hood logged almost 5.3 million miles between Spokane and Portland on SP&S, Burlington Northern and Amtrak passenger trains.

Mount Hood at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on May 8, 2010

In 1972, Burlington Northern donated the car to the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. In 1981, the Mount Hood was painted in Southern Pacific Daylight colors to accompany #4449 to the opening of the California State Railroad Museum and on the 7,477-mile 51-day excursion to the Louisiana Worlds Fair in New Orleans in 1984. It was repainted into its original colors, which it still wears today, for the 1985 AARPCO/Union Station neon sign celebration. Mount Hood's sister car Mount St. Helens still exists and is being restored by owner Michael Gelhaus in Spokane.

Corridor inside the Mount Hood

The Mount Hood's sleeping accommodations include six single-person roomettes and three larger 2-person double bedrooms. Here is the corridor between the roomettes.

Roomette inside the Mount Hood

This is one of the roomettes, configured for daytime use.

Roomette inside the Mount Hood

The small room features a chair and a toilet.

Roomette inside the Mount Hood

Here is another roomette configured for nighttime use, with the bed folded down out of the wall above the chair to fill the small space.

Roomette inside the Mount Hood

The toilet is covered by the bed; in order to use the toilet at night, the bed must be folded back up into the wall.

Double Bedrooms inside the Mount Hood

Here are two of the three large 2-person double bedrooms. This pair of compartments can be opened up to form a 4-person room as shown here. A partition divided the space when used as separate accommodations. Each double bedroom features a sink and a folding toilet in the cabinet beneath it.

Double Bedroom inside the Mount Hood

Here are some additional views of the double bedrooms. The left side is configured for nighttime use and the right side for daytime use. In both cases the upper berth is folded up into the wall.

Double Bedroom inside the Mount Hood

The Mount Hood's third double bedroom is similar but can only be used as a single two-person accommodation.

Kitchen inside the Mount Hood

This is the small kitchen for the Mount Hood's lounge section.

Lounge inside the Mount Hood

This is the Mount Hood's 20-seat lounge section with the original Farnsworth radio.

Lounge inside the Mount Hood

Farnsworth Radio in the Lounge of the Mount Hood

Continue to Union Pacific Caboose #25198…

PNWC #600 Mount Hood at ORHF Holiday Express 2009

I originally posted this on my old website on February 13, 2010.

…Continued from Southern Pacific #4449.

PNWC Sleeper-Lounge #600 Mount Hood on December 4, 2009

The Mount Hood, SP&S #600, was ordered from the Pullman-Standard Manufacturing Company of Chicago in September, 1946 by the Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway for the Portland section of Great Northern's Empire Builder. It was delivered in February 1950. It and sister car Mount St. Helens are sleeper-lounge cars with a small kitchen and 20-seat lounge with a Farnsworth radio, six single-person roomettes and three large 2-person compartments, two of which can opened up to form a 4-person room. The Mount Hood was refurbished by Pullman in 1968 as the company's last project before exiting the sleeping car business. When the SP&S became part of Burlington Northern in 1970, the Mount Hood was assigned #1205, and it was leased by Amtrak from May 1, 1971 until early 1972. The Mount Hood logged almost 5.3 million miles between Spokane and Portland on SP&S, Burlington Northern and Amtrak passenger trains.

PNWC Sleeper-Lounge #600 Mount Hood on December 11, 2009

In 1972, Burlington Northern donated the car to the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. In 1981, the Mount Hood was painted in Southern Pacific Daylight colors to accompany #4449 to the opening of the California State Railroad Museum and on the 7,477-mile 51-day excursion to the Louisiana Worlds Fair in New Orleans in 1984. It was repainted into its original colors, which it still wears today, for the 1985 AARPCO/Union Station neon sign celebration. Mount Hood's sister car Mount St. Helens still exists and is being restored by owner Michael Gelhaus in Spokane.

Continue to DLMX #1210 Plum Creek…

SP&S #700 at ORHF Holiday Express 2009

I originally posted this on my old website on February 13, 2010.

…Continued from ORHF Holiday Express 2009.

Spokane, Portland & Seattle 4-8-4 #700 on December 4, 2009

Spokane, Portland & Seattle Baldwin E-1 Class 4-8-4 #700 is one of three 4-8-4s built for the SP&S in 1938 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Spokane, Portland & Seattle 4-8-4 #700 on December 4, 2009

These locomotives were identical to A-3 class locomotives then being delivered to SP&S's parent, the Northern Pacific Railway, except that the SP&S locomotives burned oil instead of coal.

Spokane, Portland & Seattle 4-8-4 #700 on December 4, 2009

By 1955, the SP&S had completed dieselization and was ready to retire the last of its steam locomotives.

Spokane, Portland & Seattle 4-8-4 #700 on December 5, 2009

After pulling 1,400 passengers on a 21-car Farewell to Steam Excursion between Portland and Wishram, Washington on May 20, 1956, #700 joined the rest of SP&S's steam locomotives in a scrap line.

Spokane, Portland & Seattle 4-8-4 #700 on December 5, 2009

SP&S donated #700 to the City of Portland on January 13, 1958, and it was put on static display at Oaks Amusement Park.

Spokane, Portland & Seattle 4-8-4 #700 on December 5, 2009

It is the only SP&S or NP Northern and one of only two SP&S steam locomotives to survive.

Spokane, Portland & Seattle 4-8-4 #700 on December 5, 2009

15-year-old Chris McLarney founded the Pacific Railroad Preservation Association in 1977 to restore #700, which came to Brooklyn in 1986 & returned to operation in 1990.

Spokane, Portland & Seattle 4-8-4 #700 on December 5, 2009

Spokane, Portland & Seattle 4-8-4 #700 on December 5, 2009

Spokane, Portland & Seattle 4-8-4 #700 on December 5, 2009

Spokane, Portland & Seattle 4-8-4 #700 on December 5, 2009

Spokane, Portland & Seattle 4-8-4 #700 on December 5, 2009

Continue to Southern Pacific #4449…