Columbia River Belt Line 7, also known as "Skookum", is a preserved 2-4-4-2 Mallet-type steam locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1909.
It was used to pull logging trains in the Pacific Northwest, until 1955, when the locomotive fell on its side, and it was abandoned.
Several decades and ownership changes later, No. 7 was restored to operating condition in 2018.
(mpetach, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)
OREGON COAST SCENIC RAILROAD
The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad (OCSR) is a heritage railroad, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, operating in Oregon, US, primarily between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach, with additional special trips to Wheeler, Nehalem River and into the Salmonberry River canyon. The railroad travels on tracks that pass along the edge of Tillamook Bay and the Oregon Coast, and through thick forest along the Nehalem River. The OCSR runs its collection of vintage rail equipment over 46 miles (74 km) of former Southern Pacific Transportation Company track under a lease from the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad (POTB), an entity distinct from the OCSR. Garibaldi Station is the only station on the system equipped with a wheelchair lift.
Railroad operations
The railroad currently operates two steam locomotives in regular service. One of these is the former McCloud Railway No. 25, a 2-6-2 type made by the American Locomotive Company. The 25 was used in the movie Stand by Me. It was originally used in the early 20th century for logging.
Operating Diesel locomotives include the Great Northern Railway No. 274 EMD F7, former POTB EMD SD9 No. 6139, and former POTB EMD GP9, No. 101.
Excursions
Excursions are seasonal, and do not run all year round. Travel on some excursions where alcohol is served are age restricted. Current details are on the railroad's Web site.
Oregon Coastal Excursion is a 90 minute round trip between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach and return. (Or between Rockaway Beach and Garibaldi and return.) It is 30 minutes each direction with a 30 minute layover. Passengers may stay longer and take any available return trip.
Moonlight Excursion is a romantic, steam-powered train ride from Garibaldi to Wheeler and back. Alcohol is served on this train, so this ride is for adults 21 and over ONLY.
Fall Splendor Excursion and Spring Splendor Excursion are 2-1/4 hour round trips between Rockaway Beach and Wheeler.
Halloween Coast Train is a 60 minute round trip between Rockaway Beach and Garibaldi.
Candy Cane Express is a 60 minutes round trip between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach.
Dinner Train This service was discontinued after the 2023 season. There are currently no plans to reintroduce this service in the near future.
Additional Seasonal Trains are offered at various times, including:
- Spring Break Excursion (similar to the 'Oregon Coastal Excursion')
- St. Patrick's Pub Train
- Easter Eggstravaganza Train
- Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular
- Trains do not run every day, except at the height of the summer season.
Projects
As of 2015, several steam locomotive restoration/reconstruction projects are planned or underway. Among them is the complete restoration of the Deep River No. 7 "Skookum", a 2-4-4-2 Mallet locomotive. This restoration was completed in 2019. Another restoration project is for the former Sunset Timber No. 1, a 3-truck Heisler locomotive that was moved to Tillamook in 2015.
Salmonberry River
During 2014 the OCSR has been in a series of legal challenges with the State of Oregon over their attempts to reconstruct track in the Salmonberry River corridor that had been damaged in winter storms of 2007. The central issue was the OCSR's work included placing rock fill on the bank of the river, for which they had not obtained state permits, potentially impacting native salmon and steelhead. OCSR's position was that as a railroad, federal law exempted them from state environmental regulations. In March 2015, a decision was reported that exempted the OCSR from the state regulations.
Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad GP9 No. 101, the "Moo". July 2013. (Bill Morrow, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)
Great Northern No. 274 at Garibaldi, Oregon in June of 2015. (Rich gitsch, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)
McCloud No 25. (Rich gitsch, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)
Craig Mountain 2-Truck Heisler No. 3 at Tillamook, OR. (Rich gitsch, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)
Polson Logging No. 90. (Eli Duke, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)
Locomotives
| Number | Builder | Type | Works Number | Built | Acquired | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 25 | American Locomotive Company | 2-6-2 | 66435 | 1925 | 2011 | Operational | Built for the McCloud Railway |
| No. 3 | Heisler Locomotive Works | 2-truck Heisler | 1364 | 1917 | 2016 | Operational | Built for Craig Mountain Lumber Co. Acquired from Rio Grande Scenic Railroad |
| No. 2 | Heisler Locomotive Works | 2-truck Heisler | 1198 | 1910 | 2003 | Undergoing maintenance | Built for The Curtiss Lumber Co. of Mill City, OR |
| No. 7 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 2-4-4-2 Mallet locomotive | 33463 | 1909 | Operational | Built for the Little River Railroad (Tennessee) No. 126, later Deep River Logging Co. No. 7, also known as "The Skookum", in service at the Niles Canyon Railway on loan from the Roots of Motive Power Museum in Willits, California | |
| No. 1 | Heisler Locomotive Works | 85 Ton 3-truck Heisler | 1272 | 1913 | 2015 | Stored, awaiting restoration | Built for the Sunset Timber Company of Raymond, Wash. |
| No. 23 | Lima Locomotive Works | 28 ton 2-Truck Shay locomotive | 169 | 1887 | 1998 | Stored, awaiting restoration to continue | Built for the Stimson Lumber Company |
| No. 5 | Heisler Locomotive Works | 62 Ton 2-truck Heisler | 1462 | 1922 | 2002 | Stored, awaiting restoration | Built for the Buffelen Lumber Company of Tacoma, Washington. Was in service for only four years before crashing into the Tacoma City Watershed, Eagle Gorge, WA. Recovered in 2002. |
| No. 8 | Lima Locomotive Works | 90 ton 3-Truck Shay locomotive | 3254 | 1924 | 2021 | Stored, awaiting restoration in Tillamook | Built For: Cascade Timber Co. No. 108 at Reliance, Washington, ex: Long-Bell Lumber Company No. 1008, Pickering Lumber Co. No. 8 (2nd) at Standard, California. Previously owned by Fred M. Kepner and sold to the Oregon Coast Scenic following his death. |
| No. 38 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 2-6-6-2 Mallet locomotive | 61781 | 1934 | 2021 | Stored in pieces, awaiting move and restoration | Built for Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. Sold to the Sierra Railroad and renumbered to No. 38 in 1952, to Rayonier Incorporated in 1955, to Fred M. Kepner in 1984, to the Oregon Coast Scenic following his death. |
| No. 90 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 2-8-2 | 59071 | 1926 | 2019 | Stored, awaiting restoration | Built for Polson Logging Company which later became Rayonier Incorporated. Sold to the Oregon Memorial Steam Train Association in 1964. |
| No. 1 | Climax Locomotive Works | 20-ton Class A Climax locomotive | 804 | 1907 | 2024 | Stored, awaiting restoration | Built for the Cascade Lumber Company and later served the Cabin Creek Lumber Company. Came under private ownership by Victor C. Monahan after the locomotive was retired in the 1970s. Later donated to OCSR in 2024 by his family. Notable for being the world's only surviving standard gauge Class A Climax steam locomotive. |
| No. 1 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 2-6-2T Tank locomotive | 58206 | 1925 | 2021 | Stored, awaiting move and restoration | Built for the Anderson & Middleton Lumber Company, acquired by the Oregon, Pacific and Eastern Railway, to Fred M. Kepner in 1984, to the Oregon Coast Scenic following his death. Appeared in Emperor of the North Pole. |
| Nos. 104 & 105 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 2-6-2 & 2-6-2T Tank locomotive | 56851 & 58193 | 1923 & 1925 | 2021 | Stored, awaiting move and restoration | Built for Oregon-American Lumber Company, sold to Long-Bell Lumber Company, sold to International Paper, both went though multiple private owners (105 was shortly used by the Vernonia, South Park & Sunset Steam Railroad) including Fred M. Kepner, sold to the Oregon Coast Scenic following his death. |
| No. 274 | General Motors Electro-Motive Division | EMD F7 diesel-electric | 11066 | 1950 | 2010 | Operational | Built for the Great Northern Railway; EMD 567 engine with 645 Power Blocks, Currently operable |
| No. 101 | General Motors Electro-Motive Division | EMD GP9 diesel-electric | 21703 | 1956 | 2006 | Operational | Built for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, No. 6606; also known as "The Moo" |
| No. 6139 | General Motors Electro-Motive Division | EMD SD9 diesel-electric | 20121 | 1954 | 2006 | Operational | Built for the Chicago Burlington & Quincy as No. 337 |
- All of the railroad's locomotives are serviced at the locomotive shops in Garibaldi, Oregon, Tillamook, Oregon and Centralia, Washington. Restoration work happens between Tillamook & Centralia.
Overview
Headquarters: Garibaldi, Oregon
Locale: Tillamook County, Oregon, US
Dates of operation: 2003–present
Technical
Track gauge: 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Length: 46 miles (74 km)
Other
Website: oregoncoastscenic.org
Phone: (503) 842-7972
Email: info@oregoncoastscenic.org
Address: 306 American Avenue, Garibaldi, OR 97118
