Northern Pacific 10 Wheelers
NP class S-4 #1381 at Hoquiam Washington in the early 1950's. (88k).
The Northern Pacific had a fairly large fleet of 10 wheelers, purchased in the late 1800's and early part of the new century. Comprising classes E, P, and S, most builders were represented. The S class engines lasted up until the end of steam on the NP. Being reliable, free steaming, and light enough for branch line work, the S-4 engines had a useful lifespan of over 50 years! For a more detailed look at NP classes and specifications there is a steam roster list at the NP Links Site, Terrific, It's Northern Pacific.
My own memories of the S-4's are only hazy recollections of looking out of the cab window, at age 5, crossing the Buckley Bridge. I was riding with Dad (head end brakeman at the time), on the Enumclaw local, and it seemed at least a mile to the stream below.
The Buckley Bridge, 1956
#338 is a class E-3 built by Baldwin in 1889. This is the passenger train in Moclips Washington, with engineer Albert Discoe in the early 20's. (41k)
There are several photos of P class engines in our collection. According to Railroad Magazine, May 1938, none of the engines in the following photos was still in service.
P-1, #214 involved in a wreck between Chehalis and Centralia Washington early in the century. The large low pressure cylinder can be seen in this photo. (186k)
Here, at what is believed to be Tacoma, the 215 appears to have been simpled. (76k)
Class P, #274, in Wallace Idaho. (63k)
From a postcard, #280 with train #16 leaving Missoula in 1908. (77k)
The class S-4's numbered from 1350-1389 and were built by Baldwin in 1902. Engine 1364 is presently being restored for operation by the Yakima Valley Rail and Steam Museum.
The first of the S-4's, #1350, at Kanasket about 1946. This was the assigned engine on the Kanasket-Enumclaw local. (111k)
1351 switching beet gons near the end of steam. (89k)
"The S-4, #1369, arriving at Sumner (WA) has a brakeman unloading from the engine. This would be the swing man (handles the switch list, kind of the quarterback on the crew) and he is getting in positon to make a cut to place cars to an industry. At that time there were alot of places to switch in both Sumner and Puyallup. These locals worked out of Auburn and there were a number of them." F. B. Thompson (74k)
NP 1381 on the Buckley Loop, part of the original mainline to Tacoma before the Auburn cutoff. (134k)
Northern Pacific Links
Pacific Northwest RailroadingA great place to find NP memorabilia for sale
Some great railroad photographs Somewhere West of DenverBack to Growing Up Around the NPRR