Class Z-6 (Locobase 7574)

Data confirmed by SP&S 2 - 1953 Locomotive Diagrams supplied in May 2005 by Allen Stanley from his extensive collection. Firebox heating surface included 3 thermic syphons. Supposedly the only difference between these locomotives and those of the Northern Pacific was the use of oil for fuel although the firebox heating surface in this sextet totalled about 80 sq ft more. Works numbers were 68990-68995. Also see http://www.spshs.org/res/steam.html

Rick Bolger posted a fascinating account of the role these locomotives played on the Great Northern -- see http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=63684, accessed 20 May 2006.

Bolger says that the SP & S was jointly owned by the Northern Pacific and the Great Northern. When the GN gained trackage rights over the Spokane-Wishram and Wishram-Bend (Oregon) sections, a provision allowed them to substitute their own power for the usually provided SP & S engines. The GN and NP got into a wrangle over whether the N-2 2-8-8-0s were of equal capacity to the SP & S Z-6s - of course the NP said no, GN said yes.

"...[F]or the next two years," reports Bolger "the fur (and hot angry memos) flew ...Eventually, the GN gave in, and agreed to purchase two Z-6s ..." These were 903 and 904, according to Bolger, which came to the GN in 1939 and renumbered 4000-4001.

As they had always intended, the GN ran the two between Wishram and Bend. After World War II, they were reassigned (in part, according to Bolger) to the Klamath (Wash) division before being returned to the SP & S in 1947 and 1950, respectively.

The reunited class served until the late 1950s and all 6 went to the Southern Oregon Steel Mills for scrapping on 26 May 1960.

Class Z-8 (Locobase 7575)

Data confirmed by SP&S 2 - 1953 Locomotive Diagrams supplied in May 2005 by Allen Stanley from his extensive collection.

The firebox heating surface included 136 sq ft in eight circulators. With roller bearings on all axles and immense grates measuring 246 1/2" long, these engines served heavy freights.

This pair of Challengers (works #71333-71334) exactly duplicated the 20 supplied to the Northern Pacific except for the use of oil fuel.

Delivered in September 1944, they went together to the Southern Oregon Steel Mills for scrapping in May 1960.