Now Taylor, my good freind, I do disagree with you on a couple points. We can hash them out back channel I suppose, but first, I am reasonably sure Ore. Lbr. Co. did not own SVRy. While their BOD and stockholders were often the same, I believe you will find they were definitly independent. I believe this changed when OLC and SVRy were sold to Edward Hines Lbr. Co. in the 50's. There was a discussion on this bd. some time ago about the purpose of hoses wrapped around steam domes. It may have worked in winter to thaw ice at the water towers or perhaps frozen switches, but I think the main purpose was to deal with fires along the ROW. If you check out old photos, they definitly had them in the summer, when there was no ice. The idea of the 19 and 20 being ordered for OLC may be a myth. I remember telling you about this several years ago as a possible but not certain explanation of the numbering they came from the factory with and unless you have heard it from another source as fact, I was only specualting. As OLC had Shays numbered 101 and 102 which operated into the late 30's, I tend to doubt this expanation. Also the 19 and 20 being fairly high drivered for NG were a little slippery for drag freights of log trains. As both engines were at Baker brand new when the RH burned in Jan. 1921, it seems unlikely they ever went to OLC. Just my opinions however. Also as you know, both engines are often seen in photos with the daily pass. train as alternates to the 50. Also, FYI, the tank at McEwen is about 6000 gal. The typical oct. tanks on the SVRy were 25,000 gallon. From an article on SVRy tanks by Ron Harr, S wye was originally 9,000 gal. as were some of the other originals. S wye was replaced in the teens with the 25,000 gal. one and according to the article 5 of the tanks were eventually replace with 25,000 gal. ones. The origanal tank in the present McEwen square enclosure may have been a 9000 gal tank as there is room for a tank of larger diamater in the building and Ron Harr's article says the Bates tanks was originally an SVRy 9000 gal. tank.
While we may disagree on a few historical points, my hat is off to you and Jerry on the great work on the cars for the photo freights! Have a nice day!
