"Skookum" struts her stuff. When the very unique Columbia River Belt Line #7 "Skookum" emerged from her near total restoration in late 2018, she had issues. It was as if she enjoyed being a pile of rusty parts and was rebelling against the idea of having to work again. During her first 6 months in operation, she broke a number of parts, notably eccentric rods. She had to be diesel-dragged back to her quarters a number of times. Fortunately, by the time she left the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, the restoration crew finally seemed to have exorcised her demons. Today, she runs periodically at Niles Canyon, on temporary loan with the Pacific Locomotive Association. Crews report that she's still a bit temperamental....they call her "The Princess"....but she seems to be happy now. Here, she runs with a simulated log train at a popular photo location known as "The Spot", around MP 32.3, not so much because of the photographic possibilities, but because historically, there were saloons, gambling establishments and other nefarious activities along this section of track. I really like this shot, not only because it shows off the very colorful caboose, but also because that leaning telegraph pole looks for all the world like it's about to fall on the train.
Scenes of Clover Valley Lumber Company #4 and Columbia River Belt Line Railway #7 in action with freight and log trains, on a portion of the original Transcontinental Railroad.
