5057 to Washington - 11-27-2014 update

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

We're very happy to report that the 5057 was seen heading southbound through Elk Grove, CA at 11:19 PM last night, en route to the Union Pacific yard in Stockton, CA.  Transfer to the BNSF should happen within the next 48 hours.  Thanks to Phillip Brahms for passing along this information.

5057 to Washington - 11-25-2014 update

We have not received any reports of 5057 sightings since Sunday.  Evidently the computer system says that it is in Oroville, CA this morning.  We don't know if that is old information (it went through Oroville last week to get to Roseville) or if it is actually heading the opposite direction from Stockton.  We do not think BNSF currently has it.  Please let us know if you see the 5057!

A westbound Union Pacific grain train derailed in the Feather River Canyon this morning, so it won't be going through there anytime soon.

5057 to Washington - 11-23-2014 update

We have received reports today that the 5057 is currently in the east bowl of the Union Pacific yard in Roseville, CA. 

Where's the 5057???

Have you seen our U-boat? 

If you see the 5057 during it's journey to the Pend Oreille Valley Railroad shop in Usk, WA, please let us know. 

Better yet, send us a photo!

5057 to Washington - 11/19/2014 update

As we reported earlier, the 5057 left Portola, CA this morning at 6:30 a.m. on its way back to Washington.  Wayne Monger chased the train with the 5057 from Pulga, in the Feather River Canyon, to Roseville Yard near Sacramento.  Below are a few photos that Wayne sent us.

10:05 AM - East Switch of Pulga

10:45 AM - On lower level of horseshoe curve west of Tunnel #4 at James

11:05 AM - Middle of Kramm siding with Table Mountain in background

1:45 PM - 5057 has come to a stop after arriving in Union Pacific's Roseville Yard

5057 on the move - 35 years ago today

Thirty-five years ago today, on November 19, 1979, our Milwaukee Road 5057 was helping haul a train from Tacoma, WA to Bellingham, WA.

From the Cascade Rail Foundation Berntsen Collection

If you'd like to see more wheel reports like this, visit the Cascade Rail Foundation Archive web site.

Departed!

We received a report this morning that the 5057 has departed Portola!  It is en route to Roseville Yard near Sacramento right now on the first leg of its trip.  Please photograph it if you can and share it with us!

UPDATE:  The 5057 passed through Oroville, CA shortly after 11 AM this morning.

5057 to Washington - 11/17/2014 update

We received a report this morning that the Union Pacific  local train that serves Portola went through today without picking up the 5057.

The next opportunity for the 5057 to leave Portola is expected on Wednesday.

Cleared to move!

This week the Union Pacific inspected the 5057 and cleared it to be moved!  The 5057 will be returning to Washington for the first time in nearly 35 years.  It left Washington on one of the last Milwaukee Road trains out of the state in March 1980.

We do not know yet when it will move, but it could leave the Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola, CA as early as Monday, November 17.  The Union Pacific train that serves Portola typically operates on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

After it leaves Portola, the Union Pacific will take the 5057 to its large Roseville Yard near Sacramento, CA.  From there it will go on a train to Stockton, CA and be interchanged to the BNSF.  BNSF will then haul it north via the Inside Gateway route through eastern Oregon, Pasco, WA and Spokane, WA, to be interchanged with the Pend Oreille Valley Railroad at Sandpoint, ID.  The destination for this trip is the POVA shop on 'home' rails in Usk, WA.  POVA operates the former Milwaukee Road branch to Metaline Falls, WA.

If you're able to see the 5057 traveling north, please take photos and send them to us if you can!  Contact us through the Cascade Rail Foundation web site if you have photos you'd like to send us and we'll get in touch with you by email.

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Your support is needed!
Once the 5057 arrives at the POVA shop in Usk, WA, the restoration phase of the 5057 begins.  A lot of work needs to be done before it gets a fresh coat of paint!  Parts borrowed to prepare it to move need to be returned and/or replaced.  Most significantly, extensive work needs to be done to the metal exterior of the locomotive.  Rusted out metal needs to be patched or replaced.  Many of the hood doors are warped and need to be straightened.  We also plan to replace the bad traction motor on the locomotive with one we purchased with the 5057.  Fundraising for this work is ongoing, so please donate if you can.