A landmark day as 201 pulls 4024 on its first movements over Snoqualmie Valley Railroad rails to Snoqualmie on June 28, 2001. NRM Collection.
For 137 years, the tracks through downtown Snoqualmie have seen trains rumbling up and down the line. Since 1975, they have been home to the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad, the Northwest Railway Museum’s interpretive railway. And though several locomotives have answered the call to pull the Museum’s trains, 25 years ago two little locomotives arrived here in the Valley to become the backbone of operations on the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad. These are, of course, the former US Army RS-4-TC locomotives #4024 & #4012.
By the late 1990s, the Museum relied on two locomotives to pull trains along the line. Former Kennecott Copper Corp. Alco RSD-4 #201 took primary duties, with ex-Weyerhaeuser Fairbanks-Morse H-12-44 #1 handling backup duties. Both locomotives were powerful pullers, but the Weyerhaeuser was in need of an overhaul and acquiring parts for the Alco was beginning to become difficult. Additionally, both locomotives were large and heavy, adding further wear and tear to the track.
Both RS-4-TC locomotives at the CRW in 2009. NRM Collection.
Realizing the need for a locomotive that would be easy to maintain yet light weight, the Museum went searching for appropriate power. This was found through the Federal Surplus Program, who had former Army units available. The Museum acquired both 4024 and 4012 in June of 2001, and had them shipped from Yakima to North Bend. The 4024 was the first to arrive on June 28th, with the 4012 arriving the next day.
Initially, 201 remained the Museum’s primary locomotive. It was not until 2002 that 4024 began to take over most train trips. 4012’s debut was also delayed, as the Army was already using it as a parts source when acquired. It was determined that not much work would be required to place it in service, and so it debuted on the Museum’s 2003 Santa Train.
Both locomotives as they look today!
Today, both locomotives have become a common sight on the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad. Their reach even goes beyond the physical, with 4012’s prime mover having been recorded for an upcoming railway video game. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of their arrival, the Museum will be posting to the blog articles from the 2002 Sounders about their arrival and history!
