Electric Switch Engine at Oregon Museum

By Mike Parker; posted May 19, 2009

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This 40 Ton Baldwin-Westinghouse electric switch engine, L401, also referred to as a "Freight Motor" is shown resting in the yard at the Oregon Electric Railway Museum in Brooks, OR.. The heavy duty engine once belonged to Anaconda Copper and switched ore cars at the Anaconda plant in Black Eagle, Montana, near Great Falls. It was one of a few generously donated to the Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society in 1989. This engine runs faithfully and is the museum "work horse" since it has four 600 volt electric motors and plenty of pulling power. It is taking a well deserved rest after pulling the museum rolling stock in and out of the storage barn all day during a re-arrangement. The old stripped looking streetcar on the right is PRL&P 1067, a 1907 car I rescued in 1981 and today, the only remaining trolley car built in Oregon.

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