Out to Pasture: Spokane, Portland and Seattle 2-8-2 #539, former Northern Pacific #1762, was built by Alco in 1917. The SP&S donated the engine to the city of Vancouver, WA in 1957. In the early 1990's, a group formed in Battleground, WA with the intent to restore her to operation. The engine was no longer wanted in Vancouver and was donated in 1997. Efforts to restore her withered and eventually a gentleman by the name of Brian Fleming acquired the engine with hopes of running it in Montana. When that plan dissolved, the engine was traded to the Grand Canyon in a deal which saw it's smaller 2-8-0's #18 and #20 (via a short stint at the Mount Hood Railway) end up on the Rio Grande Scenic. Unfortunately, the new owners of the Grand Canyon establishment decided not to invest in the rebuild of SP&S #539 and she sits - out to pasture, awaiting a new home and possible second career. Apparently she's in great shape, having a bunch of work done just prior to being retired. $100,000.00 and she's all yours! Discount for cash in hand!
