GARIBALDI, Ore. — Two locomotives will return to steam as part of a unique agreement between West Coast preservation groups in which a California tourist line will trade a three truck Heisler to an Oregon tourist road for boiler work on another engine.

The agreement, reached earlier this month after two years of negotiations, is between the Pacific Locomotive Association, which runs the Niles Canyon Railway near the Bay Area of California, and the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad in Garibaldi.

In return for boiler work to return the association’s Sierra Railway 2-6-2 No. 30 to operation, Oregon Coast will take ownership of 85-ton Sunset Timber Co. Heisler No. 1. The 1913 engine was last operated by the Pickering Lumber Co. of Standard, Calif., and sold to an individual who partially dismantled the engine and moved it to Monterey, Calif., then donated the engine to the association. The association moved the engine to Fremont, Calif., where it has been in storage.

Besides operating a two-truck 55-ton Heisler on the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad, the Oregon Coast has two non-operational Heislers and the remains of the world’s oldest surviving Shay locomotive. Each of these locomotives is under restoration under Chief Mechanical Officer Scott Wickert.

The PLA has operated steam locomotives since it was organized in 1961, and its operating fleet consists of two Alco 2-6-2Ts. The association is also restoring to operation a 2-6-6-2 T logging Mallet under the direction of CMO Alan Siegwarth.

The boiler and the Heisler will move to Chehalis, Wash., later this fall. — Martin E. Hansen

For more on Oregon Train Rides, visit:
http://www.scenicrailexcursions.com/oregon_trainrides.php

For more on California Train Rides, visit:

http://www.scenicrailexcursions.com/california_trainrides.php