FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Press contact: Will Pickering (cell) (360) 904-0204 Please contact: Chelatchie Prairie RR Assoc. PO BOX 1271 Battle Ground, WA 98604 U.S.A. (360) 686-3559 (360) 750-0451 fax |
Steam Locomotive Acquisition
The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Association, operating as the Battle Ground, Yacolt & Chelatchie Prairie Railroad (BYCX) is pleased to announce the acquisition of two steam locomotives for future use on its passenger excursions. The BYCX currently operates summer passenger excursion service in North Clark County, departing from Yacolt Washington. Trip choices include a six mile round trip to Moulton Falls Park or a 12 mile round trip to the former International Paper mill site at Chelatchie Prairie, Washington.
The two oil fired saddle tank engines commonly referred to, as “Minarets” A type of locomotive first built for the “Minarets & Western Railroad in California. Our two locomotives comprise two of the remaining six locomotives out of a total of 21 built in this configuration by the American Locomotive Company. This class of locomotive could be found operating on the historic Chelatchie Prairie Railroad up until the early 1960’s. Designed for conditions found on Northwest logging railroads they could operate equally well forwards or backwards and easily could operate over the light rail, tight curves and steep grades found on the logging lines. Having side rods instead of being gear driven allowed for higher track speeds enabling the engines to operate over a greater distance each day. Specifications are as follows:
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Manufacture
American Locomotive Company ·
Wheel configuration 2-8-2T
(Mikado Tank) ·
Operating Weight 80
Tons ·
Steam Pressure 200psi
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Cylinder bore/stroke 18”x24”
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Tractive Effort 30,000
Pounds ·
Fuel Oil Capacity 1,000
Gal. ·
Water Tank Capacity 2,000
Gal ·
Driving Wheels Diameter 44”
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Length 38’
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#803 Getting pulled onto
flatcar & #16 waiting to load (Shelton, WA) |
The first locomotive; #16 of Hammond Lumber Company (Built 1929) will be leased from owner/railfan Pete Replinger president of Locomotives Northwest Ltd. Of Shelton, WA. This locomotive last operated in 1997 during Shelton’s Forest festival. The locomotive will be brought back to operating status after the necessary boiler certification is complete. Operation is planned for the 2004-operating season. Restoration will start immediately after the locomotive arrives in Chelatchie. (Click for detailed roster info)
Several members of the BYCX organization have purchased the second locomotive #803 of Long Bell Lumber Company (Built 1925) from Pete Replinger. This locomotive will be a long range project, spanning several years which will be necessary to build the missing pieces that were “borrowed” to make the #16 operational several years ago. Since the two locomotives are similar in design any missing pieces can be duplicated and remanufactured during our restoration of the #16. The #803 after retiring from the International Paper Company was pressed into service as a stationary boiler, providing steam for a lumber mill in Longview, Washington. The Locomotive has been stored in Shelton since 1970. (Click for detailed roster info)
The two locomotives were loaded onto railroad flatcars on January 15, 2003 by BYCX volunteer crews for shipment via rail to the BYCX locomotive shop in Chelatchie. The locomotives traveled 175 miles by rail on flatcars to reach their destination. Pulled by Puget Sound & Pacific Railroad from Shelton to Centralia. The Burlington Northern Railroad handled the loads from Centralia to Vancouver and finally Lewis & Clark Railway delivered them from Vancouver to Chelatchie Prairie, Washington on Friday January, 24 and were unloaded by volunteer crews over the following weekend.
The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Association is an all-volunteer non-profit
501(3) C organization. Our
organization is actively seeking new volunteers who would be willing to help
restore these exciting pieces of equipment. Tool and machinery donations will be gladly accepted as
well. For more information please
visit our web site at www.BYCX.com
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#16 Ready for Shipment |
#803 Ready
for Shipment |
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Arriving at Rye Junction –
Vancouver, WA 1/23/2003 |
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