SP&S 700



Seattle, Portland & Seattle #700 is a preserved and scrapped 4-8-4.

History
The engine was built in 1938 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the SP&S. After only 18 years of service, the 700 pulled the final excursion train for the SP&S. Slated to be scrapped, the SP&S decided to donate the 700 to Oaks Park for display.

After 21 years, volunteers began a restoration for the locomotive in 1975. The restoration was completed in 1990, and the engine returned to operation for excursions.

Scrapping
700 is currently stored in the Oregon Rail Heritage Center in Portland, Oregon. It made its last run on April 27th, 1992 and has been stored since due to mechanical issues. SP&S officially retired 700 from excursion service in November 1998, citing 700's poor mechanical condition and that operating three steam locomotives was too much for the heritage fleet team as reasons. SP&S moved No. 700 to the Reading Railroad's Harrisburg Yard in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Around this time, the Reading Lines as on the verge of the Norfolk Southern and in October of 2000, No. 700 Was sold to Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad Yard of Portland, who asked SP&S to relocate the 700 so they could build a new car shop where it stood. Unfortunately, the locomotive had been vandalized over the years to the point where it was unsafe to move. BNSF told SP&S that he could move it to a nearby connection with the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad but they would've assist him in moving it. In failing health, SP&S was unable to do so and took BNSF to court. The judge ruled that if SP&S couldn't move it, BNSF would be allowed to scrap it.

Word of the 700's endangerment spread through the local railroad community. Several groups including the Illinois Railway Museum and the Oregon Rail Heritage Center stepped in to try and save it, but soon realized it would be too costly since it could no longer move on its own wheels. Knowing that the locomotive was indeed going to be scrapped, SP&S and his friends took parts off of it and gave them to local railfans. Many of these pieces, including the bell and headlight, survive today in private collections around the country.

BNSF contracted with the Erman-Howell Division of the Luria Brothers scrap company to dispose of No. 700. Scrapping began on March 29, 2002 and was completed by April 1, 2002. After the scrapping, it was discovered that some of the vandalism done to the locomotive was done by BNSF employees. As a result, thirteen employees were fired from BNSF and SP&S filed a lawsuit, but lost.