This Space for Rent

The Polar Express Oops!


It may be one of Santa's elves, but this is not a steam locomotive

Since the 4449 and the 700 were going to be doubleheading one of the Polar Expresses today, we arranged to be down near OMSI when one of the trains was scheduled to come back. But when we got there, it was quiet, and we didn't hear any steam engines. We waited a tiny amount of time, then walked up the Springwater trail a little way, and encountered a railfan who was walking back. We were informed that there had been a bit of a derailment and both 4449 and 700 had left the tracks, and that furthermore the 700 may have broken a non-driving wheel.

Oops. I guess there will be no pictures of double-headed engines this winter, particularly if the doubleheaders end up killing the Portland Traction mainline.