A transplanted log-hog. The former McCloud River Railroad Locomotive #25 hauls a mixed extra across the little bridge over Nehalem Bay, en route to a water stop just over a mile ahead, in downtown Wheeler. Built by the American Locomotive Company in 1925, this 65-ton, oil-burning Prairie type was purchased by the McCloud River Railroad for service on their logging operation in McCloud, California. There, she operated...off and on....for 83 years. During this time, she was retired several times and subsequently restored to service, mostly for tourist excursions. In 2008 however, the McCloud went belly-up for good, and the remaining locomotives went to tourist railroads around the western part of the US. This particular little gal has found a home on the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, joining an existing Heisler in a small stable of steam power. The OCSR operates on 46 miles of former Southern Pacific track, which currently runs from the airport in Tillamook, Oregon, north through Garibaldi and Wheeler, and on up to Salmonberry Canyon. The line runs right along the coastline for a substantial portion of its mileage, offering views of the ocean and coastal towns. On this particular occasion, the 25 was pulling a mixed extra for a Lerro Productions Photo Charter.
