Last week, the city of Wishram celebrated the return of Great Northern steam locomotive No. 2507. On Oct. 10, there was a public dedication of the venerable steamer at its new home in Wishram Railroad Park, adjacent to the Amtrak station.
The locomotive was built in 1923 and pulled passenger trains and freight trains through the mid-Columbia River Gorge for decades until it was retired. In 1966, No. 2507 was donated to Klickitat County by John Budd, president of the Great Northern Railway. Bringing it to Wishram has long been a goal of the Wishram Community Council, and those who worked for many months to bring this historic machinery to a permanent display in Wishram deserve recognition and praise.
The list of those who invested time and effort is long:
The Klickitat County Board of Commissioners, and County Commissioner Joan Frey in particular. Frey made the return of No. 2507 to Klickitat County a personal crusade, and her guidance and determination was instrumental in making this dream a reality.
The Klickitat County Economic Development Department and the Klickitat County Public Works Department, both of which played huge roles in the coordination and "nuts and bolts" of the relocation project.
The Wishram Community Council, which recognized the historical importance and economic value of No. 2507 and set its return as a key community goal.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, and especially Gus Melonas, the railroad's director of community relations in Seattle. BNSF partnered with the county and the community to facilitate the return of the Great Northern engine. BNSF hauled No. 2507 from Pasco to Wishram for free, and also supplied crews to help move the locomotive onto the display track.
The magnificently-refurbished locomotive is likely to provide a boost for the economy of the community of Wishram, as tourists will be coming in to see the locomotive. Signs still need to be placed on the highway to let motorists know there is a new attraction in the area, but that will be taken care of relatively soon.
Bringing in the locomotive was a natural for Wishram, which is rich in railroad heritage. For almost 100 years, Wishram has been a key railroad station. Wishram has an important yard facility, and for many decades was a crew-change point for east-west trains. It also serves as a vital junction point for growing levels of traffic moving to and from California. This project puts an exclamation point on that history.
Placing the locomotive in Wishram will add a unique element in Klickitat County's ability to attract tourists. Travelers coming to see Maryhill Museum or the area wineries will now have an excellent reason to include Wishram in their scenic, sightseeing loop. More tourists, of course, means more dollars coming into Wishram.
All those who worked to make this idea a reality did a wonderful job. Bravo.
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