Polson Logging 2-6-2 "Prairie" Locomotives in the USA

Class 45 (Locobase 12763)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 28, p. 212. See also , last accessed 22 July 2019 at [] . (Thanks to Chris Hohl for his 31 December 2014 and 19 July 2017 emails commenting on the tender capacity.) Works number was 27311 in January 1906.

Given the size difference between this wood-burning logging Prairie and the larger 2-8-0 delivered in the previous years (Locobase 12762), Locobase suspects this engine ventured deeper into the virgin forests west of Olympia that constituted Polson's arena. The specs hint at that possibility as well as they mention 25-degree curves and 4 1/2-6% (!) grades. The summary also notes "Engine will run forward up grade pulling the load and will run backward downgrade following the cars.", which explains the double-ender setup.

Even after the Rayonier Corporation took over Polson Logging more than four decades later in 1948, 45 continued to work. A photo of the 45 at this time shows an elaborate cylindrical spark arrester mounted on the slender stack. The tender held a relatively hefty six cords of wood.

In 1961, the RC donated 45 to the City of Hoquiam, which put it on display at Last Spur Park. In 1998, Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad bought the engine with intent to cosmetically restore it, but later sold it to collector Chris Baldo. An initial approach to donate the engine to the Polson Museum in Grays Harbor, Wash in 2012 was unsuccesful as Baldo chose instead to move it to the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad's shops in Tillamook, OR for possible restoration to operation.

The Grays Harbor story reported that Tim Quigg, a Grays Harbor native pledged $100,000 toward the purchase of the engine. Negotiations by the museum's board resulted in a May 2015 purchase and the 45 was moved to Grays Harbor.