Winter Steam 2006
The PRPA was asked to pull a short series of small excursions
for the Oregon Pacific Railroad. This took place on Dec 22 and 23, 2006
following the successful Holiday Express benefit for ORHF on the previous
two weekends in December.
The center of these excursions was a VIP run each day
for OPR's shippers and other interested persons.
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.
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