First, a little bit of history. Let's take a look through the chronology of the 700, and its significance in the world of steam locomotive preservation!
The 700’s historic significance is an interesting story. The 700 was one of three Northern (4-8-4) type locomotives ordered by the SP&S to support its first class passenger trains that were operated in conjunction with owner/partners Great Northern and Northern Pacific. The locomotives were ordered in conjunction with a Northern Pacific order for the A-3 class Northerns. The SP&S versions were converted from coal to oil as a fuel source during production. This group of locomotives became known as the SP&S E-1 class, and the 700, 701 and 702 were the result of this order. They were used in passenger service until the early 1950’s until the two partners GN and NP dieselized their passenger trains. The SP&S replaced its first class passenger locomotive fleet with diesels as well, moving the 700 series to its secondary passenger trains. Eventually the 700’s were moved to freight service and the end of steam on the SP&S occurred in 1955, with the 700 pulling the historic last run to Wishram on a special excursion. The SP&S eventually donated the 700 to the City of Portland, and the city placed the 700, along with the 4449 from SP and the 197 from UP at Oaks Park. The locomotives all sat in neglect and disrepair for over a decade until the SP 4449 was pulled for restoration for service in the American Freedom Train in the 1970’s.
Encouraged by the successful restoration use of the 4449 in the American Freedom Train, and having learned a bit about steam restoration from his involvement in that effort, local high school student Chris McLarney and others started cleaning, oiling and painting the 700 at Oaks Park, in Portland. Eventually they formed the Pacific Railroad Preservation Association (PRPA) and this new organization was dedicated to support the restoration and operation of the 700. The effort began in the mid and late 1980’s until the 700 finally made her first movements and excursions in the Northwest in 1990. The 700 made her first long journey in almost 35 years with its trip to Steam Fest 90 in Yakima, WA. During its first decade of operation since its restoration, the 700 ran on numerous local excursions, and especially on local short line Portland and Western. The 700 had her first major rebuild, following the updated regulations administered by the FRA, in 2000. By 2001, the 700 was ready for service again, and was the first engine rebuilt to the new FRA rules. Major trips occurred throughout much of the first decade: Spokane, WA, Billings, MT and various points in between, and a high profile double header with the 4449 in 2005. In the second half of that decade, the opportunity for long excursions began to diminish, and both the 700 and the 4449 started to focus on shorter, regular, local trips, especially the ORHF sponsored Holiday Express, which is the largest source of revenue for ORHF and has been key to keeping ORHF a financially sound organization. Both the 700 and 4449 have been employed in service for these successful excursion events on the local short line Oregon Pacific.
Today, the 700 is still in service as a restored steam locomotive and is still operated by the non-profit, all volunteer PRPA. The 700 had operated in regular service for the SP&S for a mere 17 years. Last year, the 700 celebrated 25 years in service from the time of its restoration, and as operated by volunteers instead of a railroad. Most recently, the 700 was known as THE largest steam locomotive in operation anywhere, the heaviest in operation, and the longest (excepting the fact that the 4449 is longer with its booster). She also achieved status in the National Register of Historic Places last decade, and is the only remaining example of a Northern Pacific Northern steam locomotive. The 700 is one of two operating steam locomotives OWNED by a North American city.
In recent years, the 700 has regularly seen duty on the Holiday Express, boarding at Oaks Park right near where she was on display for many years. She has also been employed by BNSF for its annual Santa Trains at its Vancouver Terminal in Vancouver, WA just across the Columbia River from Portland. The 700 has also been a guest of Amtrak for National Train Day at Portland Union Station, and has been employed in several photo charters in Portland. With the passing of beloved founder Chris McLarney in late 2015, the 700 honored her dear friend and caretaker by pulling a special excursion as a memorial to Chris. The last two excursions before her boiler expiration were accomplished through the approval and support of the FRA by special Waiver, that extended the life of the 700’s boiler until the end of 2015. On January 1, 2016 the 700 was taken out of service for its 1472-day inspection.
Now the PRPA volunteers and other friends are beginning the prep work for the rebuild effort. Our next blog entry will describe the details of the PRPA’s work on the 1472 day rebuild. There will be a discussion of what work is involved, and what the timeline looks like for this effort. This blog series will document our progress and provide an up to date and close-up view of the work involved. Time to get to work!
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