Backing off the turntable the morning of Dec 22. Photo by David Thompson.

Matt Baccitich moves the caboose onto the turntable. Photo by David Thompson.

Jim Vanderbeck spins the caboose on the turntable. Photo by David Thompson.

The SP&S 700 at the station by Oaks Park on the Oregon Pacific Railroad. Photo by David Thompson.

Photo by David Thompson.

In the left foreground are speeders, which made runs between the 700 runs. Photo by David Thompson.

Matt Baccitich was conductor for this move. Photo by David Thompson.

Photo by David Thompson.

Photo by David Thompson.

Photo by David Thompson.

Photo by David Thompson.

On Dec 23, on the 11:00 VIP run, the 700 derailed on the outbound leg (going backwards) near the site where it and the SP 4449 derailed last year. After about 50 runs by the 700 and 4449 in the prior weeks in December, apparently some spikes were loosened enough for the rail on the side nearest the Springwater Trail to roll out. After last year, the Oregon Pacific Railroad replaced some ties on the curves with hardwood ties; this spot was on tangent track between two of the curves with hardwood ties. The 700's trailing truck, driver #4, and the front truck derailed. In this photo, you can see all but the trailing truck. Photo by David Thompson.

Dick Samuels, of the Oregon Pacific Railroad, directed the rerailing operation. A joint in the rail was between the tender and trailing truck. The plate on the joint was removed and the rear section of the rail was chained to keep it in gauge when the trailing truck reached it, and wood wedges were used to make ramps. In this photo, Jim Vanderbeck is attaching one side of the chain clamp. Photo by David Thompson.

Back on the rails just shortly after 4pm. The remaining trips for the day were cancelled. Photo by David Thompson.

Back to the turntable the evening of the 23rd. Photo by David Thompson.