Chaski Railfan

Thank you for that detailed report, John. Looking forward to the future of this engine.

It looks great. 5415 would be a J-3, and as originally built would have Scullin Disc or Boxpok drivers, not the spoked ones. (nit pick). I hope all of you have a Merry Christmas. Ours will be different. My wife Sharon just got home from a five day stay at OHSU hospital in Portland, with vascular dis...

Bob, thank you. Millhouse is the one who posted the video, and both of us thank him. I just commented.

Sorry to hear that, Mark, but I understand when the time comes, you just gotta do it. I certainly enjoyed your hosting me the times I made it to 261 operations and I know they will miss you and your machining and other skills. Glad we had a chance to meet face to face a few times.

It sure looks good, and new. Hope it all comes together well.

Been in use for years and years. I remember them going off on the NYC when I was a kid, and I'll be 79 next week.

Here is the photo, courtesy of, and permission of photographer Thomas Schultz. Thanks, man.

Skookum ran under steam this past weekend at the Oregon Coast Scenic. There is a photo on Trainorders of Skookum, McCloud 25 and Polson Logging 2 all three steamed up for the Pete Lerro photo charter. I am so bummed that I am no longer able to just zoom up there for these events.

She's getting closer to operating. Some serious painting done, as seen in another Martin Hansen photo.

I have a couple of shots of her steamup, but they are Martin's and I haven't asked him if I can use them yet. Pete Lerro's charter fees for the OCSR operations are about double what Martin charges for his.
EDIT: Here are the two I was speaking of, with approval of Martin Hansen, photographer.

Martin Hansen posted an article on TO Steam board today. Skookum was fired up yesterday, 9-20 for the first time in 63 years. I sure hope they will run her some on the OCSR before sending her to CA.

It will soon become operational again, as it is being completely overhauled at the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad in Garibaldi, OR. I have been keeping track of the progress and sure hope I can get a ride up there for its first outings. I try to photograph it when I visit there but it's stuck back in ...

There is a video posted today on Trainorders, by Mary McPherson, showing 6988 with train running at various locations.

Interesting, Mark, and not many people today have the knowledge or machine skills that you have to create tools to do the job and then do it. Good job.

OK, thanks, that's what I was afraid of. Can't just include one from your own computer, it must be resident somewhere on the net such as at YouTube. Oh well, you'll have to take my word for the comparison. I don't do YouTube nor any social media.