Steam & Excursion > Meet The Mechanical Members On Our Team Skookum!

The 14 year-long restoration of Skookum took an assembled team of dedicated and talented men who were devoted to seeing Skookum run again.  While many of us played various roles in the restoration, there was a core group of steam machinists that did most of the "heavy lifting" when it came to the fabrication and refurbishment part of this herculean project.  Let's meet them.

In the first photo we see Scott Wickert in the engineer's seat of Skookum.  It was Scott and his Tillamook Locomotive Works Company that started the Skookum project single-handed in 2005.  Scott has overseen this entire project from beginning to end and deserves the larges share of credit for Skookum's rebirth.  Scott is also the founder and CMO of the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad.

Also pictured in the first photo is Luke Johnson.  We brought Luke and his Toutle Valley Locomotive Works Company in a few years ago to pick up the pace on the Skookum restoration.  Luke has a history of steam work at Mt. Rainier Scenic, Virginia & Truckee, Fillmore & Western and Chelatchie Prairie.

In the 2nd photo we see what we refer to as "The 3 Scotts" of Team Skookum.  Scott Wickert is again shown in the engineers seat.  Behind him we see Scotty Hutton.  Scotty is the CMO for the Sumpter Valley Ry Restoration and is my fellow operator of the Mount Emily Shay #1 on the City of Prineville Ry.  Scotty brings a quiet but through knowledge of machine work that was invaluable to the Skookum project.

Also shown in the second photo is the 3rd "Scott" of "The 3 Scotts.  This is Scott Gordon.  Scott literally grew up at Mt. Rainier Scenic railroad and learned the art of steam railroad from the founders of MRSRR,  Jack Anderson and Harold Borovec.  Scott has dedicated many hours away from his "day job" at Tacoma Rail to help on the Skookum project.

Finally, in the 3rd photo we see Steven Butler.  Currently, Steven is the CMO at Mt. Rainier Scenic RR.  Steven's history as CMO includes other railroads such as the Texas State Railroad and the San Luis & Rio Grande RR.  Among Steven's many talents is his extensive knowledge of Walschaerts Valve gear such as that employed on Skookum.  All of Steven's hard work paid off as he was at her throttle for much of the last day of the TRAINS Magazine Charter.

There you have the key mechanical men of Team Skookum that were ale to pull off Skookum's amazing re-birth.

Martin



Edited 7 time(s). Last edit at 03/20/19 07:40 by LoggerHogger.

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An able and worthy crew. I’m impressed with the combined resume’ of capabilities of the crew.

Also impressive, is the years of dedication and hard work that went into the restoration. Also, you can tell that a big effort was made to make the loco an historically accurate recreation that conveys competence of crew at restoration work.

The reward for the hard work is the enjoyment of operating and running of the engine that has so much of your sweat, hard work and frustration that went into the project.
Congratulations to all the workers of the worthy restoration.

W.

Posted from iPhone

LoggerHogger,

Clear-up space on your T.O. PM MailBox...

Or, send me an alternative e-mail contact.

Wes Camp
wcamp91543@AOL.com

Posted from iPhone

Martin, enjoyed meeting you and the rest of the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad this past weekend.  Had a great time and will post photos as time permits.  Thanks for hosting a great two days of steam with the PLC 2, MCRRR 25 and of course SKOOKUM.

Ronnie McCallay
Cañon City, CO

Outstanding post Martin; it's great to recognize the craftsmen that made this stellar restoration happen.  GREAT job, all of you!

-Tom