Got a great comment yesterday from someone who remembers V&T Engine #29 from when it was still working on a logging railroad in Oregon. I want to bubble this up to the top so people can see it:
It is quite a thrill to see the train again. The last time I saw this train was in the early 1950’s when it was pulling logs and lumber from the Grand Ronde,Oregon area.I remember when I was at my Grandfather’s home, near the trestle which crossed over the South Yamhill River; I would wait,and listen for the steam locomotive to leave Grand Ronde and come our way.You could hear the whistle and the train as it gained speed on it’s way to Willamina and beyond.As it would start to pass my Grandfather’s home, I would run as fast as I could and foot race the locomotive.The engineer would always blow the whistle and wave as it went by. I will never forget the sounds and the sight of the smoke it bellowed out from it’s stack. What a sight for an eight year old kid. In the near future, I would like to visit Virgina City and see this train that had given me so many fond memories of my youth.
Thanks for posting this, Scott!
For people who want more info on the #29, Ted Wurm’s “Rebirth of the Virginia and Truckee” is a cheap little book that tells the story of how the #29 was moved from Oregon to Virginia City. It involves a circuitous route and several blown truck tires!
in 1975 or 76 i had a chip haul out of oregon american lumber, heading back to the mill one day lo and behold someone pulled 29 out of a single engine house by grande ronde. two trucks behind me and i pulled over and we got to inspect it real good. i even swiped a boiler inspection certificate for an inspection done in the early 60’s. now that i live south of reno, what a thrill to find it in virgina city a few years ago.