January 2007

Between errands today I ran up north of town to Yacolt, WA to shot some photos of the ‘Return of Steam’ excursion put on by the Battle Ground, Yacolt & Chelatchie Prairie (BYCX) using Crossett Western Co. #10 on Portland & Vancouver Jct. Railway tracks. Never heard of the #10? I found some nice history and discussions of the 10 and its restoration by doing some Google work. If you’ve ever been to Mt. Rainier Scenic and watched the Hammond Lumber Co. #17, this engine will look familiar because they are sisters. Just like the 17, 10 has a nice sounding exhaust and a sweet whistle. She was definitely fun to photograph and listen to!

Today their operating plan had them backing out of the BYCX depot in Yacolt, through the Moulton Falls station and tunnel, across the Lewis River and up to the station sign at Lucia. 10 was on the north end of an open air car, a coach, and a caboose where the rear brakeman took up residence for the reverse move. I applaud their choice of plans as this is the most scenic portion of this line and provides the paying passengers the best view of the line’s features.

Crossett Western Co. 10 pulls its excursion train north across the Lewis River between Moulton Falls and Lucia.

I hope more excursions can be run with the 10, especially in the summer when more people would be interesting in riding in an open air car (though plenty did anyway). Its a good sounding engine and if it is as powerful as 17, it would be a good puller on the reasonable grades on this line.

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