Steam & Excursion > SP&S #700 to Salem

Can anyone point out some viewing points along the P&W for viewing the #700 on it's way to Salem. I've never been familiar with this line. I don't want to motorcade so easy access is not necessary. I'll be coming down from Seattle and would like to see the engine in motion, not just on display.

TIA
Ed Burggraf

Got a DeLorme???

Here are four where the power line isn't in the way.

(1) The Wilsonville exit, 283. Go west to the track. Don't cross but turn south on the last road before the track. Go south and locate an open area. You "might" be able to hear a detector here for just a little bit of warning.

(2) Exit west past the truck stop at 278. Cross the tracks and turn south on Butteville road. "I think" Fellers is the road from the east that you want. Cross the tracks and look back north. You might be able to back up under a couple trees and let the branches frame the top of the shot.

(3) My DeLorme has an error here in not showing the P&W track. Go south on I-5 to exit 260. Going southbound this is just after crossing Lake Labish. As you cross Lake Labish you will see the flashing sign at the ball park on the west. To the east you can see the SP trestle over Lake Labish and to the west is the OE trestle. At 260, exit west and turn back to the ballpark before you cross the tracks. At the ballpark turn west to the tracks and park. Walk the tracks north to the trestle and then back toward the freeway.

I have done (1) and (2) with a slow freight but I don't think you could do it if the 700 has any speed. Because of the short hike I don't think you could do (3) with either of the others.

(2) would be good for video because the track is a long tangent and with the grade crossing the engineer (Jim700 ?) should be making liberal use of the whistle.

If you were to exit at 278 you can watch it just before you cross the track and might be able to get back on I-5 and get down to Salem and see it a second time.

All four should have good sun (Oops! Sun in Oregon?) until at least noon.

jb

PS I'll probably be at (2).

Ed, in addition to John's suggestions check out the sixth post (the first one with a picture) at http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?10,913999 for a few more ideas.

John, yesterday crew chief Linda Vanderbeck insisted that Greg and I not wait until Saturday morning to roll the dice so we decided that Greg will run Saturday and I'll run Sunday. It just works out the best that way since Monday is my rest day on Amtrak and Greg is due at work on the BNSF Camas Turn early Monday morning. If we should encounter any delays on the return trip then Greg won't have to worry about being legally rested for Monday morning. Of course I had to kid him saying one just can't expect an old guy like him to get all stove up from running the engine backward from Salem to Tigard.

As a flight attendant for a major (bankrupt) airline, I know the benefits of planning crew rest. Thanks for the tips.
I first started chasing steam in 1957. Since then, it hase become obvious that 'chasing" is not a realistic option. So, just one good location to watch is all I look for. Thanks.++

Ed

I think Jim's photo suggestions would probably give a more dramatic photo but will only be able to see it for a short time. (2) will let you watch it for a fairly long period of time.

Jim. Why not operate to Salem similar to the Cascades? You could pull some other steam engine south and then if it was powerful enough it could pull you north. Instead of pull/push it could be pull/pull.

jb

What kind of an average speed do we expect? Will it be in the 30-35MPH range or something slower?
(I have no idea what kind of shape that track is in...)

jdb Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Jim. Why not operate to Salem similar to the
> Cascades? You could pull some other steam engine
> south and then if it was powerful enough it could
> pull you north. Instead of pull/push it could be
> pull/pull.
>
> jb

You bet, John. Both Greg and I would vote for the Oregon-American Lumber Co. #105 (January 1925) but unfortunately Fred Kepner hasn't kept it in a "state of good repair" (to quote the Cascades top boss).

dcautley Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What kind of an average speed do we expect? Will
> it be in the 30-35MPH range or something slower?
> (I have no idea what kind of shape that track is
> in...)
>


I don't have a W&P timetable but suspect the speed is lower than the historical Oregon Electric freight speed in the diesel days of 35MPH. I've e-mailed roustabout for the info and I'll reply when I see it. He'll likely be my pilot engineer on Sunday.

Jim700 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> dcautley Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What kind of an average speed do we expect?
> Will
> > it be in the 30-35MPH range or something
> slower?
> > (I have no idea what kind of shape that track
> is
> > in...)
> >
>
>
> I don't have a W&P timetable but suspect the
> speed is lower than the historical Oregon Electric
> freight speed in the diesel days of 35MPH. I've
> e-mailed roustabout for the info and I'll reply
> when I see it. He'll likely be my pilot engineer
> on Sunday.
>

I've got a PNWR timetable at the office, but I'm out of the office, as usual. I would say, however, that the speed limit will be whatever Larry says it is! When I was on the whatever something unit (has anybody seen a PNWR/WPRR unit with a little white football helmet type thing on the cab, by the way?) it seemed track speed was in the 25 mph range.