The "Cadillac" of geared steam locomotives
At the end of a day pulling freights for a 2014 Lerro Photography Charter, Rayonier Willamette #2 heads for the "House of Gears" at the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad in Mineral, Washington.
This 1929-vintage, 3-Truck Willamette is the last of 33 such engines built by the Willamette Iron & Steel Co. Although it looks for all the world like a Shay, the Willamette Co. was able to take advantage of the fact that several key patents held by Ephraim Shay expired in 1921, allowing them to produce a similar, competing locomotive, but with numerous improvements, notably superheating. Initially, the Willamette proved popular, and became known as the "Cadillac" of geared steam locomotives". Unfortunately, the competition lit a fire under the Lima and Heisler Companies, forcing them to incorporate some of the same improvements in their products and the bigger players in the business eventually won the battle for the marketplace. Of the 33 Willamettes that were built, only 6 survive today, and the engine seen here is the only operable example. She was restored in 2009 after decades of inactivity in private hands. Today, she is stored serviceable at the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad in Mineral, WA.
The "Cadillac" of geared steam locomotives
At the end of a day pulling freights for a 2014 Lerro Photography Charter, Rayonier Willamette #2 heads for the "House of Gears" at the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad in Mineral, Washington.
This 1929-vintage, 3-Truck Willamette is the last of 33 such engines built by the Willamette Iron & Steel Co. Although it looks for all the world like a Shay, the Willamette Co. was able to take advantage of the fact that several key patents held by Ephraim Shay expired in 1921, allowing them to produce a similar, competing locomotive, but with numerous improvements, notably superheating. Initially, the Willamette proved popular, and became known as the "Cadillac" of geared steam locomotives". Unfortunately, the competition lit a fire under the Lima and Heisler Companies, forcing them to incorporate some of the same improvements in their products and the bigger players in the business eventually won the battle for the marketplace. Of the 33 Willamettes that were built, only 6 survive today, and the engine seen here is the only operable example. She was restored in 2009 after decades of inactivity in private hands. Today, she is stored serviceable at the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad in Mineral, WA.