NRHS Western Star Excursion, an SP&S 700 and SP 4449 doubleheader, July 6, 2005. Part 2
During the NRHS National Convention in Portland, OR, hosted by the
Pacific Northwest Chapter, one of the key events was something
they billed as the Western Star Excursion running on the 6th from Portland
to Wishram and back. Little information was provided about this excursion,
but just as nature abhores a vacuum, the internet abhores an information
vacuum and rushes in to fill it. That naturally occurring phenomenon
was further stimulated by the fact that there really were
complications arising in the final weeks prior to the excursion.
But every obstacle was dealt with and the excursion came off just like
it was meant to be. If you missed it, the photos here and on www.sp4449.com
will have to suffice, because who knows when or if such a thing will happen again.
An exhausted NRHS chapter member, asked when the PNWC might host
a national convention again, replied, "Not in my lifetime."
The PRPA expresses our thanks to NRHS Pacific Northwest Chapter, Amtrak, and BNSF for making this possible.
We are sure the Friends of the 4449 feel the same.
Also, thanks to Ken Storey and Dan Schwanz for permission to use their great photos.
Leaving Union Staton.
Photo by Ken Storey.
Leaving Vancouver.
Photo by Ken Storey.
Probably at the west end of the pre-CTC siding named
Hood, at the east end of which is the old Broughton
Lumber Company resaw mill at the lower end of
the famous lumber flume.
Photo by Dan Schwanz.
Photo by Dan Schwanz.
Photo by Ken Storey.
Probably at Avery.
Photo by Ken Storey.
Arrival in Wishram.
On arriving in Wishram, the first task was to detrain the passengers
for their lunch, catered by Buster's Barbeque. However, many chose to shoot
photos first, and eat later.
Photo by Terry Thompson.
Fireman Pat Tracy and Engineer Doyle McCormack on the SP 4449.
Photo by Terry Thompson.
Turning on the wye.
Photo by Ken Storey.
After turning around.
Photo by Ken Storey.
The entire train has been turned on the wye.
The next task is to swap engines, putting the SP 4449 in the lead for the return leg. At this
point, the SP&S 700 has already pulled away to get on another track.
Photo by Terry Thompson.
Now the SP 4449 pulls away also.
Photo by Matt Baccitich.
Photo by Matt Baccitich.
The SP&S 700 backs up to couple on to the train. The SP Daylight
colored car it will join is the auxiliary tender. By swapping
positions, each locomotive used its own tender for one leg
of the trip and then used the combination of its own tender
plus the aux tender for the other leg, avoiding the need
to take on water at Wishram.
Photo by Terry Thompson.
Now the 4449 backs in to make the join.
Photo by Terry Thompson.
SP&S 700 service crew. Linda Vanderbeck, Dan Sandor,
Jon LaTendresse, and Matt Baccitich.
Photo by Terry Thompson.
Amtrak confab. Left to right, Amtrak Portland engineer Jim Abney
(also one of PRPA's two engineers for the SP&S 700), Amtrak Portland
Transportation Manager / Road Foreman Dick Schneider, Amtrak Portland
engineer George Landrock, Amtrak Portland conductor Tom Matlock.
Photo by Terry Thompson.
Shooting the rods.
Photo by Terry Thompson.
Sample view of the Columbia River Gorge from the train.
Photo by Matt Baccitich.
Detraining at Union Station
Photo by Matt Baccitich.
Return to Brooklyn
Both engines move slowly on the curved track by the roundhouse.
Photo by Terry Thompson.
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