Here the 700 has stopped and the damage is being assessed. (768x512
89.8K jpg)
Last updated 04/29/01
The Spokane, Portland and Seattle #700 is one of three E1 class 4-8-4s built for the SP&S by Baldwin in 1938. The E1s differed from parent railroad Northern Pacific's A3 class by burning oil instead of coal. The SP&S put their E1s to work pulling the Portland sections of NP's North Coast Limited and GN's Empire Builder.
The 700's last run for the SP&S was in May 1956 pulling a special "Farewell to Steam" excursion. In January 1958, the 700 was moved to Portland's Oaks Park with Union Pacific 4-6-2 #3203. The two locomotives were joined 3 months later by the 4449. The only other steam survivor from the SP&S is 2-8-2 #539 which had been donated to the City of Vancouver and was placed on display in in Esther Short park.
In late 1977, the 700 was finally moved from Oaks Park to the Brooklyn Roundhouse for extensive repairs. In May of 1990, a fire was lit in the 700's firebox for the first time in 24 years.
The following pictures were taken on August 22, 1998. The day started off okay, but about 4 miles into the first run, the 700's right valve seized. In the photo's below you can see the discoloration of the metal of the radius rod were it was forced to bend back and forth while the locomotive was still moving. While the day was a disappointment to all who were present, the problem with the valve was fixed, a new radius rod was fabricated, and the 700 was back in service a few weeks later. For more information and photos, visit The SP&S 700 Radius Rod Project.
I hope that you'll agree with me that the 700 is every bit as attractive as it's much better known stable mate, the 4449. I hope we will be seeing more of the 700 in the years to come. The SP&S 700 homepage has more information on the locomotive.
Here the 700 has stopped and the damage is being assessed. (768x512
89.8K jpg)
(768x512 88.9K jpg)
(768x512 107.6K jpg)
The 700 and train were pulled backward a couple of miles so that the 700 could
be spotted on this siding and the main line openned up again. The rest
of the weekend's excursions were pulled by a borrowed Portland and Western
(P&W) diesel locomotive. (768x512 101.7K jpg)
This was a "quick" shot. I only had a momement to frame the shot before
someone else stepped accross the mainline and into my picture. I missed
the lens flare and forgot to compensate for the strong back lighting.
(768x512 73K jpg)
A close up of the damaged radius rod suspended "out of the way". (768x512
59.3K jpg)