One of the city of Portland’s three locomotives, the Spokane, Portland and Seattle 700 was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 25, 2006.
Built in 1938, the SP&S 700 is the only surviving specimen of the E-1 class 4-8-4 Northern type steam locomotive. It’s the third largest operating locomotive in North America. The driving wheels are 6 foot 5 inches tall.
The SP&S 700 and two other locomotives reside at the SE Portland Brooklyn Roundhouse. But they are being evicted! The Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation is working to secure a new home for these historic behemoths near OMSI.
Two years ago Heather and I had an opportunity to check out the SP&S 700 in person. Our friend Brent worked for Burlington Northern Santa Fe at the time and he invited us to a holiday visit by the locomotive to the Vancouver, Washington rail yard. Read more (and see more photos!) at Mile73.com: Visiting the Holiday Choo-Choo, and my post: The Locomotives of Portland.
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