I remember the Chehalis Centralia railroad pulling 2-8-0 #25 out of a park in 2009 or 10. Since then I heard she was pushed to the way back of their shop and is undergoing a gradual restoration. All I know is that she had her tubes and flues removed and had a Ultrasound done and she was found to be in good shape. Has any other work been done to her besides this?

I live right up the road from this operation. I am just as curious as everyone as to what is happening with the #25.

I do know that at its prior location in the park, it was subject to numerous floods of the Chehalis River so there are going to be some running gear issues to be sorted out.

The folks in charge of this operation do not ask for donations, nor do they solicit volunteers. They aren't even very open to questions. So I assume they have the situation well in hand to suit their style.

I hope to see the #25 out on the rails within the decade.

I too, would lile to see this locomotive under steam again someday. I'd also like to see her pitted against sister 15 in a pulling contest.
Although t.e. on the two is nearly the same, the Consolidation offers more weight on the drivers and my money would be on her. Just my two cents. Glad to learn about some progress, thanks.

They're dealing with a "very slow but steady" way of handling the engine at this time. I pop in there from time to time and always walk ito the shed where 25 is. You can tell that work IS being done but they're not breaking any records. They have a dedicated but very small volunteer base there. As they're doing well with #15, I don't see a pressing need to get another engine running right now.
I have bene told that they feel that 25 is in good shape all things considered and is quite restorable.

Glad to see enthusiasm in 25! I wish people had photos of her since then. Only photo i've seen is of her outside the shop.

You mean photos of her sitting inside the Chehalis shop? I think I have photos from earlier this summer, but you can't really tell much as it's really flippin' dark in there...

[quote="p51"]As they're doing well with #15, I don't see a pressing need to get another engine running right now.quote]

To the contrary...the #15 is due for her Form 4 work either this year or sometime next. It's likely to be down for an extended period of time while that work gets done.

I always understood they got the #25 with the intentions of having it running by the time the #15 expired, but that appears like it won't happen. While on a swing through the area in July I heard tell that the group is looking for a GE 80-ton diesel or equivalent to handle operations between the time the #15 goes down and when either it or the #25 returns to service.

They are selling #25 number plate pins in their gift shop, with the proceeds advertised to go towards the restoration.

Jeff Moore
Elko, NV

Yeah in the shop. I think she will look fantastic when done! If its so dark how do they do work?