ONW Finale

The last northbound full train on the Oregon & Northwestern from March 1, 1984.The following week on March 6, a caboose hop was run to Seneca to collect the remaining equipment there including the cars shown on this northbound run.

Story and Photos by Rich Frey

    My first visit to the Oregon & Northwestern was in June of 1983. The road had ceased log haulage in 1979 with the depletion of the timber reserves to the north, so they were down to a single unit hauling traffic once per week to the Hines Lumber owned mill at Seneca, Oregon. On arrival at the mill at Hines, I was informed that the weekly run had taken place the previous day. Feeling denied, I resolved to return at my earliest opportunity.

    In early February 1984, I learned that the ONW's existence was threatened by the flooding of Malheur Lake on UP's Oregon Eastern branch. This would sever the ONW's only connection to the outside world. I called the railroad and was informed that the last run would occur either on March 1 or March 8, depending on the UP's ability to effect interchange. Arrangements were made, and I showed up in Hines early in the morning March 1, 1984.

    After signing a release, I was granted access for photos. The crew had just come on duty, and pulled #4 out of the enginehouse to warm up. The genial shop forces allowed my entry to the shop for some interior views of the balance of the roster.

Pulling out of the shop

Warming up

Engine 3 with former SP light fairings

Engine 3 builder's plate

Engine 1 - former BLH demonstrator

Engine 2 coated in dust

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continued on page 2 ☞

The copyrights for all photos are assumed to rest with the photographers.

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