About 25 years ago, he leased Union Pacific property in Merrill and moved the bulk, but not all, of the collection there. It remains there today. 38) remained on a leased piece of track at McCloud.ĭuring the 1980s and early 1990s, Kepner added a few more locomotives. In the late 1980s a change in McCloud management put an end to that plan and Kepner had to find a new home for his collection. He moved some of the collection to Chiloquin, Ore., and some (like Sierra No. 25 on the McCloud, he began moving his collection there to launch an operating railroad museum. 25 to operation as part of this plan in 1983. As he started running No. He started the Great Western Railroad Museum with hopes of operating on California’s McCloud Railroad. He restored McCloud River 2-6-2 No. After that, he worked odd jobs on and off while he collected locomotives. Kepner worked for a time at a tourist railroad in New Jersey. Queries about purchasing locomotives in the collection should be directed to Oregon Coast Scenic General Counsel Martin E. The final list of what will be available is in the works. Proceeds from the sale of the locomotives not moved to the Oregon Coast Scenic will be used to pay to relocate the locomotives moved from Merrill to Tillamook, about 330 miles. 25 and three Harriman coaches that Kepner previously owned. The locomotives to be moved to Tillamook County will form the Fred Kepner Memorial Collection in a museum setting, in addition to existing excursions. 1305 “Logger Special,” 1925, in Jamestown, Calif. 74814, in Klamath Falls, Ore., with coach 101, Baldwin DS4-4-750 diesel Construction No. He also owned the following at off-site locations: 100, 2-8-2, standard gauge, Baldwin 1925, Construction No. 8, 3-truck Shay, 1924, Lima, Construction No. 1246, 2-8-0, standard gauge, Baldwin 1907, Construction No. Some of the rolling stock will go to Oregon Coast Scenic and some will be sold. 1 is one of the locomotives in the Kepner collection. 1, 2-6-2T, standard gauge, Baldwin 1925, Construction No. 4, 2-6-2, standard gauge, Baldwin 1907, Construction No. 104, 2-6-2T, standard gauge, Baldwin 1923, Construction No. 105, 2-6-2, standard gauge with tender, Baldwin 1925, Construction No. Twelve of the engines are stored in Merrill, Ore., and others are stored off-site.Īt his passing, Kepner owned the following at Merrill: He had spent his life collecting steam locomotives, starting in the 1970s. I’m personally thrilled to be able help preserve Fred’s legacy and make sure the locomotives find good homes.” “The locomotives that we are bringing home will provide more diversity to our collection. “We are all very excited at the opportunity to expand our equipment roster and vision for the future of our organization,” says Oregon Coast Scenic Chief Mechanical Officer Scott Wickert. The rest will be sold to other appropriate preservation organizations. Some of the collection will be retained by Oregon Coast Scenic and shipped to its facilities in Tillamook County, Ore. Kepner collection of 14 steam locomotives and other railroad equipment has been purchased by the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad in Garibaldi. What is perhaps the single largest private collection of steam locomotives, mostly from the western U.S., has been sold and will soon be dispersed following the death of its long-time owner. Over his lifetime, Fred Kepner quietly amassed a collection of 14 steam locomotives, with 12 of them stored at Merrill, Ore.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |