Steam & Excursion > A Unique Locomotive That Is Finally Returning To Active Service!

Few steam locomotive restorations have been as universally anticipated as that of this single engine. Perhaps it is her history of being left for dead on her side in the woods where she once worked that makes her slow but steady return to steam such an interest to us all.

The famous Skookum is undergoing her final restoration in our Oregon Coast Scenic RR shops at Garibaldi, Oregon.  It is fitting that she will return to service on the Oregon Coast since it was near here that she first operated for her owner the Whitney Company.

In this view taken in April 1947, we see this famous 2-4-4-2 working the log dump at Deep River, Washington.  It was here at Deep River in February 1955 that the Skookum would derail on a short trestle and lean over on her side in the bog below.  So gentle did she lay over that not even her headlight was broken.  Unfortunately when it came time to retrieve her in 1960 she had to be completely disassembled with the use of crude tools and equipment and certain parts were damaged and went missing all together.  This made her eventual restoration even more of a challenge.

Well, our long wait is nearly over.  Later this year we hope to have Skookum back under steam and working once again.  Stay turned.

Martin



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/17 03:49 by LoggerHogger.

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That I will do as am going to make time for some steam this coming year and hope to see it along with others.

A friend of mine has a 1" scale version....

Posted from iPhone

It'll be nice to see it come in from out of the dark!

Out

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Here is a photo of her outside about a year ago. The second, I took while putting the #25 away last summer.

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She is looking much better than she did in 1955.

Martin

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Why was a 2-4-4-2 built?  Was it required by first owner due to extremely sharp curves?  Curious.

The Little River Rr for whom the Skookum was originally built had very light rail and tight curves.  That is why a 2-4-4-2 was selected.  As it turned out Skookum was to big for Little River RR and was returned to Baldwin.  Baldwin then built a smaller and lighter 2-4-4-2 for Little River and that engine worked out just fine.

Martin

Think of Skookum as a 70-ton articulated Logging Mikado....

The Shookum is the best named cutest little engine

Congratulations!  There is no better feeling in the world then bringing any steam locomotive
back from the dead, and seeing her move under her own power for the first time in years!

Earl:  I was wondering why they didn't get a small mike since that essentially is what the 2-4-4-2 is.  Curves explains it..  

I sure hope to get up to the OCSR when this beauty is ready to run.  What a unique locomotive.