Steam on the Oregon Coast – 2014 & 2018

In October of 2014 and 2018, Pete Lerro and Lerro Productions ran a series of photo charters in the Pacific Northwest, each including a couple days on the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad – the former SP Tillamook (and later Port of Tillamook Bay) line.

Oregon Coast Scenic History

The OCSR track began life as the Pacific Railway and Navigation Company in 1906. The PR&N was technically independent, but very much a product of Harriman and Southern Pacific interests. Construction started from both ends, and Tillamook-Salmonberry became operational in 1909. The through route was finished in 1911, and in 1915 it was folded into SP.

The Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad was only ever intended to be a switching line, servicing an industrial park being developed around the US Navy’s former blimp hangers at the Tillamook Air Station. Operations slowly extended north, and in 1981 the POTB was servicing everything from Wheeler to the end of the line. By 1986, the POTB was operating the entire route to Hillsboro using trackage rights.

The Tillamook line was always a headache. It passed through narrow canyons of soft soil, and with the Coastal Ranges getting an average of 90 inches of rain a year, landslides and washouts were all too common. The SP really wanted to be rid of these expensive branches, and applied to abandon the route in 1989. After the SP fixed significant storm damage in January 1990, the POTB and State of Oregon stepped forward to purchase the entire route for $2.9M.

A change in ownership did not change the geology nor the weather. In February 1996, winter coastal storms caused significant damage, with 7 miles of track along the Salmonberry River between Enright and the summit “completely destroyed”, including the loss of two bridges. The 1996 damage ran in the $12M range, but the railroad was repaired with the help of state and federal aid monies.

The end for freight operations came on December 2-3, 2007, when what’s become known as the “Great Coastal Gale” struck the area with hurricane-force winds and torrential rainfall. Once again, the track along the Salmonberry was undermined or covered for miles, three bridges were damaged, and one tunnel was blocked with mud and debris. Repair estimates started at $30M, but when more detail was considered rose to nearly $57M. With this large looming number, the Port, still in debt from the 1996 repairs, decided to discontinue service on the line except for the OCSR operations on the coastal section.

The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad was started in 2003 by Scott and Kim Wickert. The goal was to offer steam-powered excursion runs over the coastal section between Tillamook, Garibaldi, Rockaway and Wheeler, in partnership with the POTB operations. The line started operations with Scott’s Curtiss Lumber Co. 2, a 1910 2-truck Heisler, but the operation has proven popular and continued to grow over the years, both in equipment and clientele. With the end of freight operations in 2007, the OCSR became the only user of the line, and 2012 secured a 15 year lease of the line (with a further 5 year option) for the 46 miles between Tillamook and the Salmonberry River.

That’s not to say the line’s future is perfectly secure, however. The winter season can be rough on the track structure, and there are those who would like to see the rails removed and converted to a trail. Fortunately, it looks like at least at the moment, the parties agree that it should be rail and trail over the operating section. All I can say is please support this remarkable and unique little operation. It’s a true gem for railroad enthusiasts and the local economy.

2014 Trip

The 2014 OCSR charter was actually one of a series, including other days on the Mt. Rainier, the Chelatchie Prairie, and the Oregon Pacific with the SP&S 700. It also lined up with the Sumpter Valley’s fall photo trip, scheduled for the weekend afterwards. I honestly can’t remember exactly why I decided to go on the 2014 trips, but something about it just struck me as an opportunity not to be missed.

Because of commitments here in Colorado (namely the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club’s annual banquet, of which I was still president at the time), I had to skip the Mt. Rainier charter. However, immediately following the banquet in Denver on Saturday, October 11, I traded my suit and tie for my usual jeans and black t-shirt and drove out to the airport, catching a late flight to Boise, ID. From Boise, I’d have the entire next day to drive out to Vancouver, WA, to be ready for Monday’s Chelatchie Prairie trip. Then another day of down time (which I’d spend bugging a few friends around Portland), and then out to Tillamook for the start of the OCSR trip on the 15th. I’ll cover the Chelatchie Prairie and the Sumpter Valley parts of the trip in other reports. This will purely focus on the two days (Oct 15-16, 2014) of the Oregon Coast Scenic.

Power for the trip was McCloud River Railroad #25, acquired by the OCSR in 2011, a cut of older freight and maintenance cars, and ex-SP commuter coach 2127 (now named Wilson River). On Wednesday, Oct 15, the weather was overcast and wet. Consequently, we ran straight up past Wheeler to shoot up in the Nehalem River canyon where the fog and diffuse light would work to our advantage. Thursday, Oct 16 dawned bright and blue, so for it we worked photo locations between Garibaldi and Wheeler along the coast.

POTB 101 - a GP9 built as C&O 6606 and now wearing the distinctive Holstein paint - pulls our photo freight cars into Garibaldi. — POTB 101 – a GP9 built as C&O 6606 and now wearing the distinctive Holstein paint – pulls our photo freight cars into Garibaldi.

Our first stop for the day was at Wheeler, to take water from the fire plug to top off 25's tank. — Our first stop for the day was at Wheeler, to take water from the fire plug to top off 25’s tank.

McCloud 25 crosses the Nehalem River on an 1894 truss bridge. The bridge predates this railroad - it was originally installed on the Central Pacific Transcontinental line at Verdi, NV (just west of Reno). It was brought here in 1930. — McCloud 25 crosses the Nehalem River on an 1894 truss bridge. The bridge predates this railroad – it was originally installed on the Central Pacific Transcontinental line at Verdi, NV (just west of Reno). It was brought here in 1930.

Between the Nehalem River bridge and Foss

The rancher gives our photo special a wave as 25 passes the Nehalem River Ranch.

At the Nehalem River Ranch, the barn turns out to be an old engine shed from the early days of the railroad. Note the huge (and now blocked) doors.

At the end of the line in Salmonberry, OR. The S-curve here is a diversion around where the line washed out, but this was basically the end of passable track in 2014.

MCRR 25 makes its way through the autumn leaves covering the tracks at Salmonberry.

While the pump moves water from the tank into 25's tender, the crew takes the opportunity to do a little oiling in the pouring rain — While the pump moves water from the tank into 25’s tender, the crew takes the opportunity to do a little oiling in the pouring rain

25's getting a little low on water, so we stop at Batterson in the pouring rain to pump water into the tender from the tank cars. — 25’s getting a little low on water, so we stop at Batterson in the pouring rain to pump water into the tender from the tank cars.

Our crew stops to pose for a reflection shot on Smith Lake, just south of Barview

In the afternoon sun and under clear skies, 25 heads north out of Garibaldi

Rolling through Rockaway Beach in good morning light

Something about a steam engine, log cars, and an oceanfront resort just don't quite mesh in my mind. — Something about a steam engine, log cars, and an oceanfront resort just don’t quite mesh in my mind.

Crossing the marshlands at Fishery Point

This trestle is great from a variety of angles, but the waters here are tidal. Some of these angles can't be had at high tide unless you're willing to get seriously wet. — This trestle is great from a variety of angles, but the waters here are tidal. Some of these angles can’t be had at high tide unless you’re willing to get seriously wet.

Our train on the famous trestle over the inlet to the wetlands at Fishery Point, just west of Wheeler.

Another view of the siding switch west of Wheeler

Rolling along Nehalem Bay on the Wheeler siding track.

25 and train on the causeway over Smith Lake, just north of Garibaldi.

Steam and diesel meet at the end of the day in Garibaldi.

Back in Garibaldi, 25 is done for a few hours while we have dinner and before the night shots out at Smith Lake

With our photo special done, 101 puts away the excursion cars and retrieves the regular passenger equipment

Most of the remaining POTB motors are stored down at the former blimp hangers south of Tillamook. Here's POTB 6116, former C&S SD9 #833. — Most of the remaining POTB motors are stored down at the former blimp hangers south of Tillamook. Here’s POTB 6116, former C&S SD9 #833.

One of the few remaining SP SD9s on the railroad, POTB 4406 sits by the blimp hanger. It's probably a sign it hasn't moved in a while when there's green stuff growing on the shady side of the locomotive. — One of the few remaining SP SD9s on the railroad, POTB 4406 sits by the blimp hanger. It’s probably a sign it hasn’t moved in a while when there’s green stuff growing on the shady side of the locomotive.

POTB 6139 (built as B&O 1831, later BN 6139) is still in service on the OCSR. Here it is on Thursday moving cars around.

2018 Trip

There were two 2018 OCSR trips scheduled – the first being October 16-18, and the second being October 19-20. The first sold out in less than two days, which was faster than I could actually commit myself to going. Skookum, the rare 2-4-4-2 that had been undergoing restoration at Garibaldi, OR, for years was just about ready to make her first runs. Nobody promised that Skook would be out and about for the trips, but there was always the hope that if it was finished and ran, it would make an appearance. Given my desire to photograph this rare engine out and working, I had no choice – I booked at ticket on the second trip as soon as it was announced.

Unfortunately for all of us, the hopes of seeing a 2-4-4-2 on the road were dashed at the last minute. The engine was back together and fired up when I arrived at Garibaldi, but those initial moves around the Garibaldi yard proved that Skookum still had quite a few bugs to work out. I didn’t see it personally, but apparently something in the alignment or valve gear wasn’t quite right and an eccentric rod got bent. Such are the things that happen when you’re trying to figure out how to rebuild and time a very unique locomotive constructed 100 years ago, and do so without much of the original documentation. My hat’s off to all those involved in the long restoration effort, and a huge thank you for trying. I know it was more disappointing for you than it was for us. At least it was hot and out of the engine house so we could photograph it.

(Side note: I’d finally get to see Skookum in action in early 2020, when it was up and running on the Niles Canyon Railway in California. See “Mallets in Niles Canyon” from Feb 2020.)

Thursday (Oct 19) started off completely socked in with marine layer fog, but that allowed us to work a few angles that wouldn’t have been possible with strong light. We backed the train nearly to Tillamook, photographing near the 101 overpass and the trestles of Hathaway and Stasek Sloughs. From there, we headed up to Wheeler for a few runbys hoping for (and getting) a break in the fog to take advantage of the blue sky and Nehalem Bay. Then it was back to Garibaldi for some sunset shots and night photos after dinner.

Friday dawned blue and perfect, with not a wisp of fog or cloud in sight. To take advantage of the beautiful light and skies, it was straight up to Wheeler again to catch perfect high tide at the Fishery Point bridge. Then once the sun had come over into the afternoon sky, back down to near Tillamook to work the slough trestles again, capped off with a few golden hour shots at Barview.

Upon arriving in Garibaldi on Oct 18, I found Skookum outside and fired up. Unfortunately it's first test run around the yard didn't go well. — Upon arriving in Garibaldi on Oct 18, I found Skookum outside and fired up. Unfortunately it’s first test run around the yard didn’t go well.

On Friday morning, Garibaldi was completely socked in with a very thick coastal fog.

Between Tillamook and Garibaldi, Polson #2 comes under Highway 101 and through the forest.

MCRR 25 looking right at home in the forest.

Through the morning fog, Polson #2 crosses one of the slough trestles near Tillamook.

One of the crew (conductor?) rides the rear of the log cars to protect the long shoves back for the run-bys.

MCRR 25 and her cut of log cars cross a long trestle over one of the sloughs near Tillamook. I think this is the Hathaway Slough bridge.

One thing about the OCSR blue equipment - it's vibrant. OCSR 24508 is formerly a Rock Island bay window caboose. — One thing about the OCSR blue equipment – it’s vibrant. OCSR 24508 is formerly a Rock Island bay window caboose.

Polson #2 on one of the trestles near Tillamook

Another shot a the Stasek Slough trestle

Crossing the Stasek Slough bridge near Tillamook

Another angle on the Fishery Point bridge

MCRR coming over the backwaters of Nehalem Bay on the 20th.

Back at the Fishery Point slough bridge with Polson #2

Approaching Wheeler, with one of the local kids out to meet the train.

As Polson #2 approaches Wheeler, a young railfan races the train on his bike.

25 and train cross the oft-photographed Vosberg Creek in Wheeler

McCloud 25 and Nehalem Bay on the morning of Oct 20

Columbia Belt #7 - Skookum - in some screamin' light at Garibali on Thursday afternoon — Columbia Belt #7 – Skookum – in some screamin’ light at Garibali on Thursday afternoon

Three hot steam locomotives in Garibaldi on Wednesday afternoon

Leaving Garibaldi for Barview in the evening light.

Back in Garibaldi, we do a few more run-bys out at the pier during the golden hour.

In a scene that was repeated thousands of times in logging towns throughout the west, Polson Lumber #2 heads out of town with a cut of empty log cars.

After our photo trains had cleared up, DLMX 274 deadheaded the RDCs north to Wheeler for the next day's regular runs. — After our photo trains had cleared up, DLMX 274 deadheaded the RDCs north to Wheeler for the next day’s regular runs.

MCRR 25 pulls out of Garibaldi in the late evening, with the sawmill in the background

Polson Lumber #2 at Barview in the last rays of sun.

One of the "Three Graces" - big eroded rocks out in the bay - and 25 in the evening light, just south of Barview. — One of the “Three Graces” – big eroded rocks out in the bay – and 25 in the evening light, just south of Barview.

The "Three Graces" at sunset, with birds roosting on every limb. — The “Three Graces” at sunset, with birds roosting on every limb.

Skookum steamed up at night. After the lights went out, she went back in the shop for more work.

This work is copyright 2022 by Nathan D. Holmes, but all text and images are licensed and reusable under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license. Basically you’re welcome to use any of this as long as it’s not for commercial purposes, you credit me as the source, and you share any derivative works under the same license. I’d encourage others to consider similar licenses for their works.

Nathan D. Holmes

Personal Projects, Photography, and Pointless Pontifications

Steam on the Oregon Coast – 2014 & 2018

Oregon Coast Scenic History

2014 Trip

2018 Trip

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