OREGON COAST SCENIC RAILROAD: Monahan Family donates Cabin Creek Lumber #1

(October 22, 2024, Garibaldi, OR)– Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad is pleased to announce that it has received the major donation of Cabin Creek Lumber Company #1, the only surviving standard gauge Class A Climax locomotive in the world. The locomotive was donated by the family of the late Victor C. Monahan of Cabin Creek, near the town of Easton in Washington State, who have preserved the rare locomotive since the 1940s. The locomotive made its historic journey from Cabin Creek, WA to Tillamook, OR on Wednesday October 16. It was the first time the engine had traveled outside of the Cascade Mountains since 1907. While other classes (types B and C) of Climax locomotive survive, there is only one other Class A: a 36” narrow gauge locomotive in Corry, Pennsylvania that is under restoration by Corry Rail & Industrial Legacy Society & Museum, who are being consulted with as a part of the Cabin Creek Lumber #1 restoration. In total, only 21 Climax locomotives are known to survive.

The locomotive was built in 1907 by the Climax Locomotive Works of Corry, PA as shop number 804. Weighing in at only 20-tons, the Class A design utilized a wooden frame, 2-truck design, originally powered by a wood fired tee style boiler and two-cylinder vertical engine set. Class A Climax locomotives also featured a unique two speed transmission where the engineer could shift between two different gears. The locomotive was originally built for the Cascade Lumber Company of Easton, WA, as their #1, and later sold to the Cabin Creek Lumber Company. In the early 1940’s the boiler and steam engine were removed, and a White truck engine installed in its place, which helped keep the locomotive in service until the early 1970s. After the mill shut down, a small portion of the railroad was saved and the locomotive spared the fate met by nearly every other Class A Climax. Some restoration work was performed on the engine including the rebuilding of the wood frame.

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad (OCSR) is a 501 c3 non-profit heritage railroad dedicated to the preservation, restoration and educating about the logging railroad heritage of the Pacific Northwest. This engine tells the story of a nearly forgotten part of Pacific Northwest logging history. Furthermore, OCSR already has a Shay and multiple Heisler locomotives, and this Climax fills the void of having the final of the three major geared steam locomotive manufacturers represented in the collection. OCSR intends to restore the locomotive to operating condition in its original form as a steam locomotive.

The railroad already possesses the key components to make this restoration possible, including a suitable boiler and importantly Class Climax A steam locomotive engine set that was originally returned to the United States from New Zealand. Due to the locomotive’s small size, it is hoped that the engine will be a travelling exhibit for OCSR, representing it at events across the country.

OCSR Chief Mechanical Officer and Founder Scott Wickert stated that, “Today is a day that has been more than two decades in the making for me. When I acquired the Climax A engine set from Richard Dunn years ago, I knew I had to get this engine to unite the two together. I am very excited about this.”

OCSR would like to thank Burden’s Towing of Tillamook, OR for safely moving the locomotive to its new home. OCSR also wishes to recognize Richard Dunn, one of the authors of the 2002 book, The Climax Locomotive who first rescued the Class A engine set from New Zealand. The engine set itself is a rarity, with only two known to exist. Without this key component, it would be nearly impossible to return Cabin Creek #1 to steam power.

Most importantly though, thank you to the Monahan family for their foresight and effort in preserving this invaluable piece of logging railroad history. Without the work of multiple generations of their family, it is unlikely that the locomotive would be in existence today. OCSR is honored to have been entrusted with this artifact that is legendary in the railfan community and a family heirloom for the Monahan’s.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Samuel Aldridge at (503)-842-7972 or email superintendent@oregoncoastscenic.org. For more about Oregon Coast Scenice Railroad, go to www.oregoncoastscenic.org