The MRSR's Easter Bunny "Eggspress" ran on Saturday. Originally the motive power was to be newly restored #70, but they decided to run with different power. So they rounded up every operating Willamette type geared locomotive in existence, and put 'em all on the point!

http://www.pnwphotos.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4101

('All of them" of course being one, since #2 is the only Willamette currently operating.)

Nice weather and good crowds made for a good day.

Nice shots Bob, always good to see the families out for a ride! Can't wait to visit when I do the NRHS convention in June.

In keeping with the "always subject to change" motif, what are the chances the 70 will be on the regular trains by then?

Dave

#70 is scheduled to be our regular engine by then. Current plans call for her to make her first revenue runs in two weeks on the Mother's Day runs.

Willamette #2, as shown in the shots I linked to, is scheduled to be on the point for the NRHS trip, presumably since it's much rarer than a 2-8-2. She puts on a great show, and has a wonderful bark, so folks should really enjoy it.

That said, I'm pretty certain the #70 will at least be pulled out of the enginehouse for the NRHS folks to see, and I wouldn't be too surprised if the GM has it steamed up in the yard to do a runby or two as well. That's only a guess, I haven't actually heard anything official to that effect, but since they just finished restoring the locomotive, I don't think it's too unreasonable to expect he'll want to show her off a little.