> Perhaps Brian Fritz knows the answer, but
> there is supposedly an NP S-4 4-6-0 being
> rebuilt in Yakima, WA. The website of the
> Yakima group hasn't been updated or touched
> for over a year. I'm curious if anyone knows
> the fate of this engine. The S-4 class would
> make great excursion engines as they are
> easy to operate and thrifty for
> "branch" type operations. I
> believe this engine was once at Point
> Defiance Park and has been disassembled
> since 1975 or so. Anyone know anything?
I wasn't aware there was one in Yakima, or at least I don't remember it from my 1990 visit doing the 700 and 4449 up there. You are right about this class. They (NP) used #1372 on some of the final excursions out of Seattle on the North Bend line in 56-57, before scrapping the engine later. We were fortunate enough to get some footage of these runs on 16mm from a Seattle area resident. Also a few glimpses of the Timken engine (first 4-8-4 with roller bearings) #2626.
Image below shows 1372(Painting)in freight service.
I saw another S-4 in 1999 at the depot in Helena. It was sister 1382. Would like to have seen it tackle Mullan Pass with a passenger train!
Steamingly,
Greg Scholl
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