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Montana group breaks ground on steam locomotive shelter
The 0-4-0 “fireless cookers” (there were a pair @ Somers Tie Plant, #S1 was sold and moved-out c.1985) were used entirely w/in plant property. Latter was a separate, but wholly-owned subsidiary of then-GN since c.1910. It was originally the John O’Brien Lumber Co. in 1901 (when GN blt. 10.3+mi. branch from Kalispell), w/tie plant added in 1907. The non-RR lumber manufacturing ceased in 1948, and operation remained entirely under former BN through 1986.
Plant actually ceased operating in early 1982, w/both “fireless cookers” stored inside their shed on the property. While they did move cars to/from GN/BN trackage, the local out of Whitefish to Columbia Falls and Kalispell performed set-outs and pick-ups @ plant when it ran down to Somers. Branch was “embargoed” back to a feed mill W-of U.S.No.93 crossing about midway between Kalispell and Somers in 1985, and abandoned during highway widening project five - six years later.
Did Burlington Northern ever used this steam locomotive?
Did Burlington Northern ever used this steam locomotive?
There was an article about this BN steam operation in one of the other mags, railfan perhaps? Back in the '70s.
A shelter is the best thing they could do for this (or any other) engine.