Spokane, Portland and Seattle class A1
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The SP&S Class A-1 steam locomotives were a group of five identical locomotives. They were used in the rail yards at Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, from 1907 to 1952. They were replaced with diesel-electric switch locomotives.
Background
[edit]In 1907, the new SP&S needed equipment for regular operations. Company officials wanted 25 freight locomotives and two switch locomotives to start with.[2] The president of the Great Northern Railway advised SP&S officials that his railroad could contribute excess engines.[2] Because of this, only five switch locomotives were purchased for use in the terminal yards in Portland and Vancouver.[2]
Construction history
[edit]All five locomotives in Class A-1 were built by the Manchester plant of American Locomotive Company. Because of the availability of spare parts from the Northern Pacific Railway in Portland, OR, and Pasco and Vancouver, WA,[2] these locomotives were identical to Northern Pacific class L-9 switch locomotives.[3]
Operational history
[edit]All five locomotives were delivered to the SP&S in February 1908.[4] They were initially used in work service completing the North Bank line from Portland to Spokane.[4] Upon completion of the main line, these locomotives were transferred to the terminals for switching service. In late 1942 and early 1943 all 5 locomotives were assigned to the Portland Terminal yards as switch locomotives.[5] In 1946 locomotive number 2 was sold to the City of Prineville Railway.[1] With the arrival of SW9 switch engines 43-45 in 1951,[6] the remaining A-1 class steamers were retired in 1952.
Numbering
[edit]These locomotives were numbered 1 to 5
Disposition
[edit]Locomotive number 1 was scrapped April 25, 1952. Locomotive number 2 was sold to the City of Prineville Railway and renumbered as their number 7 on July 31, 1946. Locomotive number 3 was scrapped January 24, 1952. Locomotive number 4 was scrapped April 25, 1951. Locomotive number 5 was scrapped January 24, 1952.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Gartner 1990, p. 206.
- 1 2 3 4 Gartner 1990, p. 14.
- ↑ Wood & Wood 1974, p. 151.
- 1 2 Gartner 1990, p. 16.
- ↑ The Northwest's own Railway. Vol. 3 and 4. The Spokane Portland and Seattle Railway Historical Society. 1998. p. 9.
- ↑ Gartner 1990, p. 70.
- Gartner, John T (1990). North Bank Road, The Spokane Portland and Seattle Railway. WSU Press.
- Wood, Charles R; Wood, Dorothy (1974). Spokane Portland and Seattle Railway. Superior Publishing Co. p. 151.