Oregon & North Western 2-8-2 "Mikado" Locomotives in the USA

Class 26 (Locobase 15491)

Data from DeGolyer, Vol 80, pp. 422. See also "Oregon & Northwestern Railroad, Edward Hines Lumber Company" located at Trainweb's [], last accessed on 17 October 2013. Works number was 60834 in May 1929.

Bought by the Edward Hines Western Pine Company, this engine had good proportions with a decent amount of superheating surface area, 61.5 sq ft in two Nicholson thermic syphons to contribute to direct heating surface area, and 12" (305 mm) piston valves.

The EHWPC bid successfully for the Bear Valley concession being offered by the US Forest Service in 1928 and began concentrating its resources to exploit it. The website cited above outlines the difficulties the company would encounter, but notes that the 51 miles (82 km) from Hines, where the sawmill was, to Seneca at the southern end of Bear Valley, was completed in 1929.

The 26 served the O&NW for almost two decades. Most of its operation involved pulling log cars south from Seneca to Hines, although the line was a common carrier. 26's career came to an end on 29 January 1947 when it wrecked and was scrapped.