Just heard that privately owned SD9 #439 that had been at Mt. Rainier Scenic is on the move and possibly headed to the Yreka Western. This is ex SP SD9 #4439. Anybody got more info??? I've gotta know!
That's correct John. The SD-9 was in transit when the MRSRR found a trestle was not in safe condition to allow traffic over it. When the lead loco entered the trestle the cap reportedly sank about 8 inches. The SD-9 had to remain until repairs could be made to the structure. It should be on it's way now.
Excellent Bill!!! Was hoping you'd be on tonight. Now, ya got any history info post SP so I may be able to add her to the roster?? Here she is in on the SP:
Any pictures of her as she was painted when at MRSR? Will there be new paint applied at the YWRR? Boxcab E50
Ok, got some quick research in. Built in 1955 (b/n 20214) as SP #5436, re# to 3914, rblt and re# to SD9E #4439. Sold to Chrome Crankshaft, to TE #439, to Rail Link #439 and now on to YW.
I believe that's correct. But before that, she'd been used by the Tacoma Eastern RY operation? Boxcab E50
From what little I know...the Tacoma Eastern was a short lived operation...I believe it ran ex-Chehalis Western trackage that is now part of Tacoma Rail's Mountain Division. Rob Jacox has a photo of this unit operating on the TE posted on his Western Rails page at the following link: http://www.trainweb.org/westernrails/wa/te-439_ba.jpg The locomotive was owned by the same person that had the Lewis & Clark Railroad in Battle Ground, WA; after the TE failed or folded this unit went into storage on the LINC. Shortly before LINC lost their operating contract they sold this locomotive, along with the Lewis & Clark's small fleet of ex-SP SW-8's, to Livingston Mountail Locomotive Works. The unit moved to the MRSR at some point within the past few years; the Chehalis-Centralia group looked at the locomotive as a potential backup locomotive for their operation but passed on it. Question, Bill- is the YW leasing or purchasing this locomotive? Or do you know? Jeff Moore Elko, NV
Post-CWRR the lines went to ownership by the City of Tacoma. Tacoma Eastern RY was the first post-CW RR operator of all trackage south of Tacoma Junction. As described, the owner of that SD would have been Ed Berntsen. Boxcab E50
Jeff - I'm not sure. I don't think the YWRR purchased this SD-9. It belongs to the lady who did the boiler work on #19. I think the loco is only on a loan, or lease and is to be used for stand-by only.
