The 'Skookum' Steam Locomotive Returns

The "Skookum" is a very unique 2-4-4-2 articulated locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1909. It spent most of its working career in the Pacific Northwest pulling log trains for two different railroads. While working for its second owner, the Columbia River Belt Line Railway, it received the name Skookum, a Chinook word meaning brave or strong. In 1955, the locomotive was involved in a serious derailment. Wrecked in the woods, it was left abandoned for a year before a railroad enthusiast saved the locomotive and removed it from the wreck sight. Fast forward several decades and two owners later, Skookum was moved to the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad in Garibaldi, Oregon for a complete restoration to working condition. Now, 15 years later, the Skookum is once again ready to roll. In this video, we will see the Skookum running in March of 2019 on a recreated empty log train. Watch Skookum rolling along the scenic Oregon Pacific Ocean coastline and through the forests of the coastal mountains. We'll also see the McCloud River Railway locomotive 25 pulling trains in October of 2018. All aboard!

Videos were recorded as part of a Trains Magazine photo event. Static videos of Skookum and videos of McCloud 25 were filmed as part of a Lerro Productions photo event.

[sydspoak]

I think the world as a whole misses the iconic steam whistle. What an amazing sound.

[gingerbread]

I can’t say enough about how cool they are, especially all three setting there. Beautiful.

[mackpines]

Awesome seeing Skookum on my favorite railroad. The #25 is one of my top 5 favorite locomotives. Just down the line where the passenger trains don't operate they have a fantastic "Railriders" organization that people use pedal powered vehicles that go to Tillamook. That whistle salute at the end was fantastic.

[royreynolds]

It is great to see her back in operation. There are not many compounds operating. If I remember correctly she was built for the Little River RR in Townsend, TN and was too big for them and went to the Pacific coast of Oregon. This is a favorite locomotive.

[ArkansasLocomotiveWorks]

I’ve never heard of this gal until now. It looks absolutely incredible

[owenmeschter]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I wasn't able to see her in action, but your excellent camera got just what I wanted to see, and you had some excellent shots. I loved that ending too, a very soothing and slow ending. Amazing job, your videos are fantastic and show how awesome railroading is

[CentralPennRailProductions]

Great to see this locomotive running again! I just watched James Parfrey's video yesterday as well. Great videos from you both!

[steamgent]

Awesome little articulated and definitely a early Baldwin catalog engine. What a EBT articulated would have looked like IF they went larger than their Mikados. Definitely a timeless classic and slide valve too!

[wallikaterwilli]

Wunderschönes Video mit tollen Loks und herrlichen da schlägt jedes Eisenbahnerherz höher...

[rgmrails]

Beautiful steam locomotive!
There’s also some homes by the tracks too?
God the kids must love waking up by the sound of steam!

[maddennis]

A great video of a unique locomotive! And a one-of-a-kind! A great lead-in to what is coming in just a few weeks.
Hundreds of videos of the first runs of UP 4014

[nathancorcoran]

It's a great video. Seeing a locomotive that is returning to opperate is the most amazing thing to see.

[Thomasboi]

Love shookun is my favorite articulated locomotives! Love the baldwin 3 chime.

[trainern]

Spectacular video! You always do a great job and this is no exception! Thank you for providing such a great look at these locomotives.

[cnichting]

Its nice to see another steam locomotive up and running again

[bcgrittner]

I read a magazine article about this locomotive and how it fell off a low trestle and sat on its side for years. That was one fine restoration. Great video.

[loco]

Thanks for posting. I didn't realize there was a 2-4-4-2 operating and am glad to see the video. Thanks.

[phillipbonner]

Thanks Mike for sharing that with us that was very cool.

[coppercruz]

Awesome Video:) I can't wait to see Skookum at Niles Canyon!!!

[Chuckish]

Nice to all those steam engines live again.