Ventura County No 2 at OERM 12-9-06
Ventura County Railway No. 2 pouring it on around the curve from Carhouse Four towards the main platform at OERM, Perris. December 9, 2006. This was during the period where it was running with a centered headlight on the smokebox.
No. 2 was originally built as No. 107 for the Cascade Timber Company at Reliance, Washington, where it hauled lumber and supplies until 1942. The outbreak of World War II brought the locomotive to Southern California’s Ventura County Railway, a six-mile line linking the Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees) at Port Hueneme with the Southern Pacific Railroad at Oxnard. Throughout World War II, No. 2 hauled supplies needed for construction activities in the Pacific. After the Ventura County Railway replaced its steam locomotives with diesels in the late 1950’s, No. 2 was stored in serviceable condition and used occasionally for fan trips. It was sold to the Museum in 1972 and first operated in 1978, and has been maintained in operating condition ever since.
Ventura County No 2 at OERM 12-9-06
Ventura County Railway No. 2 pouring it on around the curve from Carhouse Four towards the main platform at OERM, Perris. December 9, 2006. This was during the period where it was running with a centered headlight on the smokebox.
No. 2 was originally built as No. 107 for the Cascade Timber Company at Reliance, Washington, where it hauled lumber and supplies until 1942. The outbreak of World War II brought the locomotive to Southern California’s Ventura County Railway, a six-mile line linking the Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees) at Port Hueneme with the Southern Pacific Railroad at Oxnard. Throughout World War II, No. 2 hauled supplies needed for construction activities in the Pacific. After the Ventura County Railway replaced its steam locomotives with diesels in the late 1950’s, No. 2 was stored in serviceable condition and used occasionally for fan trips. It was sold to the Museum in 1972 and first operated in 1978, and has been maintained in operating condition ever since.