I know, I know, it's a terrible job, but someone has to do it. I will be offline and out of contact Friday-Saturday-Sunday May 20-21-22, in order to attend a RailsNW sponsored special at Mt. Rainier Scenic RR. Polson Logging Co. No. 70, a 2-8-2, recently became operational after a complete 10 year long rebuild there. In addition, Heisler No. 91 and the rare Willamette No. 2 will also operate. A barbecue will be held for all passengers at Mineral Lake, and promises of several photo runbys have been made. Hopefully I will have a report to post late Sunday or sometime Monday. Some folks take their laptops on these trips and upload photos while still on the train. The last few times I was there, there is absolutely NO cell phone coverage, and I'm pretty sure that's true of all servers. :tb-biggrin: :tb-biggrin:
I have GOT to get up there some day. I am stuck in town with limited funds yet again, but have a great time. Mt. Rainier Scenic is doing some great things.
Mt Rainier has always done some great things up there. I can't wait until they get the "Skookum" up and running. For those of you that don't know about the "Skookum" it is a VERY rare 2-4-4-2 logging mallet.
I've made special arrangements with the staff there- If you don't take a ton of pictures to share with us, you will only get to ride the diesel.... Ha ha. Boxcab E50
cwwr--I remember seeing a thread over a year ago that mentioned that the Skookum is now at the Oregon Coast Scenic and undergoing restoration there. Not sure about this but I will try to find out the facts this weekend. Stathi Pappas will certainly know. :tb-confused:
I remember my first cab ride quite well. I was out at Weycos Curtis reload back in about 1981 and they were kicking some log cars around on a Saturday. Well my dad was out there cutting firewood and I was helping him out. Okay Okay so how much help can a 6 year old really do? Well I was sitting there watching the train and the engineer stops the engine by my dads pickup and got down out of the loco. He walks over to my dad and asked "Do you mind if I take the boy for a ride in the engine?" My eyes lit up like a Xmas tree. I was probablly only in the cab for maybe an hour but it felt like a lifetime. Maybe that memory is why I model the Chehalis Western..............
That's awesome!! I was only in the cab of 7012 for maybe 15 minutes, but yeah, it seemed like a 100 miles. Which engine was it?
I know it was one of the GP 7's but am not sure if it was 765 or 776. I believe it was more than likely 765 as that is the one I remember seeing at Curtis most, besides the 684 which seemed to be the main resident at Curtis. The 776 seemed to be at Vail quite a bit from what I can remember. This cab ride would have taken place in 1981 as I know it was still lettered for Weyco and NOT Chehalis Western. The GP 7s didnt get the CW logo until 1982.
Ryan- A great experience for you. Your memories of where 765 and 776 were most often seems familiar to me. Boxcab E50
I kick myself now. I had an opportunity to ride in the crummy on a run to Tacoma one time when I was in High School. I always thought, "I will do it after I graduate." Well that never happened as I graduated in 1993 and the last run was in July 1992. My dad hauled logs out of Vail ALOT back in the day and knew most of the guys out there. Well word of mouth travels fast that you have a son that is tran-a-holic. I was also offered this same offer back when I was in middle school but couldn't go during break as the Nisqually River bridge at McKenna was damaged due to a flood. I wish I could find Dr Emmit Brown and borrow his time Deloreon to go back and make that trip.
