Bring OE#21 Train home to Oregon
Donation protected
The Bring the 21 Home to Oregon project provides a very rare opportunity to be able to repatriate a tangible piece of Oregon history to a place that was its actual operating home over 100 years ago. And to finally have a piece of Oregon Electric Railway equipment at the Oregon Electric Railway Museum.
The above photo is sister locomotive #22 in Salem, Oregon.
The Oregon Electric Railway (OER) was one of the largest electric railways in the U.S. Opening in 1908, the 122 mile electric railway line helped develop the Willamette Valley by enabling growth of many communities and served to transport people and Oregon-produced goods. Very little of the Oregon Electric equipment exists and none of it in Oregon.
Of all the locomotives, OER #21 is one of only two that avoided being scrapped. The #21 was one of four 60-ton locomotives built by GE – ALCO in 1912 for the Oregon Electric in order to meet the demands of the growing Willamette Valley. For the next 34 years it could be found moving freight from Portland south to Eugene and west to Forest Grove.
OE21 as BCE 961 in Vancouver, BC
Loco 21 in Edmonton 2001 paint Scheme
In 1946, all four of these locomotives were sold to the British Columbia Electric Railway (BCER). Oregon Electric #21 became BCER #961 for another 34 year career of service until 1980. Saved once again from the scrapper, this unique locomotive was then purchased by the Edmonton, Alberta transit operation as their #2001. Here it began its third life and was used as a construction & maintenance locomotive throughout the transit system line until retirement in 1998. It was affectionately called “White Lightning” by the crews. It is now located at the Fraser Valley Railway Historical Society’s museum at Cloverdale, BC. The Fraser Valley group recently acquired two new interurban cars and now have more equipment than their site can accommodate. They have decided they need to sell Oregon Electric #21 and want to move it as soon as they can. Despite 86 years of service and 18 on display, the locomotive is essentially complete and certainly within the realm of restorability for OERHS.
OE21 as Edmonton Transit #2001 at work.
As a non-profit museum, they have expenses they must meet so need to sell it rather than just donate it to another group. They are offering it for what it cost them to transport it their museum ($15,000). Added to that the trucking, crane costs, stabilization and contingency bring the project cost to $40,000. However, due to financial and site availability constraints they need to have it leave by February 2017. So far we have been able to raise $25,000 via individuals, businesses and foundations. We are still actively fund raising thru tradional means, but are turning to Crowdsouring for more help.
While this is a great opportunity, it was unforeseen that this vintage locomotive would ever be able to leave Canada and therefore no budget for this project was established by the Board. Further, due to the tight timeline, few applicable grant funds are available.
OE#21 as she sits today in Cloverdale, BC.
The Bring the 21 Home to Oregon project will return this important piece of our history where it can be preserve d, restored and operated for the enjoyment by the public now and in the future. Currently 40,000 people annually visit the Antique Powerland site in Brooks, Oregon – the home of the Oregon Electric Railway Museum where #21 would take up residence. Stories of how the Oregon Electric freight service helped develop valley industry can be brought to life to school groups, scout groups, Oregonians and tourists. An example could show #21 pulling a load of freshly harvested hops for use in brewing. The hops are adjacent to our site – so the locomotive performs in live context of its roles 100 years ago. Interpretation will also showcase an example of clean energy in Oregon transportation from over a century ago.
PLEASE help make this project a success:
Your donations may be considered tax-deductible as the OERHS is an IRS recognized 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.
The above photo is sister locomotive #22 in Salem, Oregon.
The Oregon Electric Railway (OER) was one of the largest electric railways in the U.S. Opening in 1908, the 122 mile electric railway line helped develop the Willamette Valley by enabling growth of many communities and served to transport people and Oregon-produced goods. Very little of the Oregon Electric equipment exists and none of it in Oregon.
Of all the locomotives, OER #21 is one of only two that avoided being scrapped. The #21 was one of four 60-ton locomotives built by GE – ALCO in 1912 for the Oregon Electric in order to meet the demands of the growing Willamette Valley. For the next 34 years it could be found moving freight from Portland south to Eugene and west to Forest Grove.
OE21 as BCE 961 in Vancouver, BC
Loco 21 in Edmonton 2001 paint Scheme
In 1946, all four of these locomotives were sold to the British Columbia Electric Railway (BCER). Oregon Electric #21 became BCER #961 for another 34 year career of service until 1980. Saved once again from the scrapper, this unique locomotive was then purchased by the Edmonton, Alberta transit operation as their #2001. Here it began its third life and was used as a construction & maintenance locomotive throughout the transit system line until retirement in 1998. It was affectionately called “White Lightning” by the crews. It is now located at the Fraser Valley Railway Historical Society’s museum at Cloverdale, BC. The Fraser Valley group recently acquired two new interurban cars and now have more equipment than their site can accommodate. They have decided they need to sell Oregon Electric #21 and want to move it as soon as they can. Despite 86 years of service and 18 on display, the locomotive is essentially complete and certainly within the realm of restorability for OERHS.
OE21 as Edmonton Transit #2001 at work.
As a non-profit museum, they have expenses they must meet so need to sell it rather than just donate it to another group. They are offering it for what it cost them to transport it their museum ($15,000). Added to that the trucking, crane costs, stabilization and contingency bring the project cost to $40,000. However, due to financial and site availability constraints they need to have it leave by February 2017. So far we have been able to raise $25,000 via individuals, businesses and foundations. We are still actively fund raising thru tradional means, but are turning to Crowdsouring for more help.
While this is a great opportunity, it was unforeseen that this vintage locomotive would ever be able to leave Canada and therefore no budget for this project was established by the Board. Further, due to the tight timeline, few applicable grant funds are available.
OE#21 as she sits today in Cloverdale, BC.
The Bring the 21 Home to Oregon project will return this important piece of our history where it can be preserve d, restored and operated for the enjoyment by the public now and in the future. Currently 40,000 people annually visit the Antique Powerland site in Brooks, Oregon – the home of the Oregon Electric Railway Museum where #21 would take up residence. Stories of how the Oregon Electric freight service helped develop valley industry can be brought to life to school groups, scout groups, Oregonians and tourists. An example could show #21 pulling a load of freshly harvested hops for use in brewing. The hops are adjacent to our site – so the locomotive performs in live context of its roles 100 years ago. Interpretation will also showcase an example of clean energy in Oregon transportation from over a century ago.
PLEASE help make this project a success:
Your donations may be considered tax-deductible as the OERHS is an IRS recognized 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.
Organizer
Mark Kavanagh
Organizer
Salem, OR