Re: Maps of SVRy, Baker, Oregon

Actually the first SVRR shop building was constructed in N.W. Baker near the UP tracks. At the time there was a short spur off the UP there where the No. 3 was unloaded from a flat car. The shop was located a short distance from this spur and a temporary track laid to it. When restoration was complete #3 was steamed up and ran aboard a truck, under it's own power, for the trip to McEwen. The Shop was constructed in such a way that it could be dismantled in sections and was also hauled to McEwen.

At one time we considered trying to acquire the S. Baker engine house to use for future restoration projects, but decided the cost of getting and restoring the building was beyond our means. Fortunately the building was eventually restored, but the owners removed the rails and filled in the service pits.

When I first joined the group in 1976 there were still a few switch parts and rails at S. Baker, but these have been also moved to McEwen. These were located a short distance North (railroad East) from the old engine house. In the map above this would be in the log pond S.E. of the shop building.