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Engine
52, originally "2", was the first locomotive to arrive
in Alaska. Built in 1881, it arrived in Skagway in 1898 where
it was given the number 52. It was last used in 1937 and for
the past several years has been on display on Skagway's 2nd Avenue
opposite the depot, just west of the old UTU railroad workers
union hall (visible on right) which is now a gift shop. This
is an early 2000 photo. |
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Engine
52 is being prepared to be taken to the Shops where it will be
restored. Whether a cosmetic or functional restoration will be
done is yet to be determined. This and all the following photos
are from September 2000. |
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"52"
is successfully loaded onto a trailer for the almost two-mile
trip to the Shops. |
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On
the move! |
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With
the help of a crane and front end loader, "52" is lifted
off the trailer and will be lowered onto tracks leading into
the old Gas Shop. Note the distortion of the loader's right front
tire! |
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Almost
on the ground. The loader's tire still shows the strain of supporting
about half the weight of the locomotive. |
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Done! |
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Due
to the asbestos present, no WP&YR workers will get to work
on "52" until the asbestos removal contractor has finished
his work. This is the old Gas Shop where the asbestos contractor
is setting up his work area. |
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"52"
and its tender were damaged by the 1969 Skagway roundhouse fire
so there's a lot of restoration work to be done here. What remains
of the tender's frame will likely only be useful as a model for
a new frame. |
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Although
not inside the roundhouse during the October 1969 Skagway roundhouse
fire, engine 52 and its tender were close enough to suffer damage.
It will take a lot of reconstruction to replace the damaged material
here. |
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Here's
Engine 52 in the yards of the Shops in June 2002 after completion
of the asbestos removal. It's awaiting further restoration. |
