Re: Sumpter Valley Number 20

I thought folks might enjoy a couple shots of #20 back in it's prime.
The first photo is a Hank Griffiths photo taken 1940 at Bates per the photo caption, but I think it may actually be at Austin, the depot being the building just behind the engine. #20 would be soon headed for Skagway.
The 2nd photo is a Walter Grande photo of #20 East bound at Larch summit.
Both photo are from the PNWChap.NRHS archive.
(Edit)I am sitting at home now reviewing my post on my wife's lap top as I so often seem to find spelling or gramataical errors in my posts after the fact and besides I just like to read my own egotistical rants. It occured to me that the Walter Grande photo which is an SVRy classic that has even been colourized by one of my freinds and smoke added for an unseen helper engine is probably unusual operationally. Generally one SVRy Mike could handle about 5 loads plus caboose to the summit. Probably there is in fact an unseen helper on the rear dispite the seeming absence of smoke to the rear in this original unphotoshopped version. The helper is not unusual, but the fact that the train has stopped on the grade is. The diverging track toward the fireman's side of the engine is the West leg of the Larch wye, which based on actual observation of the old grade today is not yet at the summit. It seems likely that the train had to stop short due to other activity at the summit or the rr/crew was good enough to pose exacty where the photographer wanted (not too likely I am thinking). I will have to study the profile map when I get a chance, but I'd take a guess that the bulk of the train is stopped on a 2+ % grade. I don't think they would stop short of the summit by choice. It would have been cool to be trackside to watch and hear them get the train moving again!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/2012 10:41PM by J.B.Bane.