The Little Engine that Did!

Santa Maria Valley #205 pulls a revenue freight for the Albany and Eastern Railroad on the Mill City Branch.
On July 3rd, 2023, a steam whistle drifted through the Willamette Valley near Lebanon, Oregon, but this was not an excursion train full of passengers, or a photo special for rail enthusiasts. This was the Albany and Eastern's regular run up the Mill City Branch consisting of three box cars--only this time it was powered by a 1924 Baldwin steam locomotive nicknamed "Porky."
A freight train pulled by steam in 2023? Yes!

[@CSXRailfanBrony-ChessieDayligh]

This summer was truly memorable. Several days ago, UP Big Boy 4014 rescued a stalled freight over Blair Hill in Nebraska. Now, our little "Porky" gets his turn pulling a revenue freight. This year was getting better with each railroad history being made.

[@jimmyhook4852]

Got that right :D

[@7ideaproductions]

Absolutely!

[@LevinCrawford]

I wonder what else this year will bring? 🤔

[@jimmyhook4852]

@@LevinCrawford Maybe of course... announcing that Frisco 1522 will run again? :3 Die hard 1522 fan right here btw. ^^

[@CSXRailfanBrony-ChessieDayligh]

@@LevinCrawford Who knows. I'm looking forward for CP 2816 and N&W 611 hit on the main line this year, as well as more heritage units from CSX. I'm excited for the L&N and Conrail ones.

[@eageraurora879]

"Dispatch, is that a steam excursion on our line?" "No, it is your freight delivery."

[@petesopenrailsvideos]

Wow. A steam loco and a graffiti covered boxcar. There's a great contrast between the modern world and the old days. Great job!

[@Db--jt7bt]

Engine 204 was built two years before the first patent for spraypaint was filed. It existed when graffiti was only done with chalk and paintbrushes.

[@EMDSD14R]

It's pretty cool to see. On the Strasburg Railroad in Pennsylvania they pull revenue freight with steam often. It's also the oldest common carrier railroad in the country. It's truly a sight to see.

[@MRBenchwork]

Just goes to show there's a prototype for Everything.

[@therandomytchannel4318]

Awesome video to show how steam 🚂 is still being used in the 21st century, really cool to see! There is another tourist railroad using an old GM F3 for freight services, forgot which railroad that was.

[@nareshmehta8118]

Ylitguuiiu😊😊😊

[@a.z.pantera5577]

What a wild time that steam engines are being used in revenue services again. Even if they are comparatively small jobs. Not to mention, Big Boy pulling a 'Super Rescue' over in Nebraska. We have new-built steam engines in the works to boot. Even if it's baby steps, it really feels like steam is making a comeback.

[@spartanv220]

Is it true that steam locomotives are being built

[@roseroserose588]

​@@spartanv220 Yes absolutely, there are a number of new mainline steam locomotives being built in the UK! Tornado, an A1 class was completed as recently as 2008 with another P2 class well on the way.

[@spartanv220]

But none in the United States of America

[@WardenWolf]

Steam locomotives have always had a lot more power for their size than diesels, but they are also a lot more complex. I would imagine, though, with modern machining the maintenance costs could be a lot less.

[@timrankin8737]

Western Marylands 1309 was just restored and put back in service. A 2662. I think.

[@TheIronweed-vx5lg]

Boxcar height used to be no taller than the cab of that little Prairie. Now we have boxes twice the size of that little engine. Crazy!

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

This is absolutely mind-blowing! That shot at 5:26 is my favorite. Incredible work, as always. Definitely one of my biggest inspirations. -Drayton

[@7ideaproductions]

Thank you very much Drayton! I'm just glad I got the chance to film this. Albany and Eastern is an awesome railroad.

[@LevinCrawford]

The Steam Engine, the original way to transport people and goods. It’s nice to see these old engines still earning their keep.

[@7ideaproductions]

Far better than sitting cold in a museum.

[@LevinCrawford]

@@7ideaproductions You said that just right!

[@adamfritz2856]

I mean, the horse and carriage was the original means of transporting people and goods, but yeah.

[@JAdg75oo00]

I feel I was put on this earth to be an advocate for it 😄

[@rogerhuber3133]

Great video. I never knew this railroad existed. Glad they have Porky earning her keep. A very handsome locomotive in her pretty green dress! More please!

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

What an outstanding video. Great action by a steamer and the cool scenery with a step back in time. Enjoyed watching and have a wonderful upcoming weekend.(Steve)

[@7ideaproductions]

Thank you Steve. You too!

[@KouuToriProductions]

She's earned her Christmas gift: an auxiliary water tender.

[@MervynBarnes-gr6yk]

Hi from Sydney,Australia..it looks like an easy effort for the loco..well done to whoever thought of it, and to the crew who probably had a blast!!

[@TheRailfanDan]

Too good Aaron! So glad you could make it out there and even better you could stick around for the whole one way trip to Mill City! What a special thing we got to witness!

[@7ideaproductions]

Thanks Dan! It was good to see you too. Looking forward to watching what you did as soon as you get it on your channel. What a great opportunity this was!

[@berkshire4607]

This was one heck of a year for railroads. Flying Scotsman turning 100, Sir Nigel Gresley returning to steam, a UP Challenger and 2-10-2 being announced to be restored back to working order, Big Boy 4014 reenacting 1 of Wilbert Audrey's greatest stories (Super Rescue), and now Porkey pulling a revenue train. This is a great year for railfans

[@PereMarquette1223]

2-10-2

[@berkshire4607]

@@PereMarquette1223 thanks. It's fixed

[@BryanPhillips-dt7gd]

I love it, ❤️ I just wish my father could see this

[@BryanPhillips-dt7gd]

And there still manages to be a diseasel in the video

[@BryanPhillips-dt7gd]

I hear a little rod noise

[@e-train765]

I had no idea of this shortline or this charming Prairie!! So wonderful to see steam on modern revenue frieght!!! Sure it's always incredible seeing large locomotives (i.e 4014, 844 etc) pull modern revenue freights but little locomotives like 205 and/or Everett RR no. 11 pulling modern freight just feels much more special.

[@kristoffermangila]

What a show by this petite Prairie! You can't help but admire the contrast between #SantaMariaValley205 and the modern cars it pulled. The SP bay window caboose was a bonus to boot! Great video!

[@BryanPhillips-dt7gd]

I used to wave ecstatically and say "boose!"

[@dhall4363]

That was a excellent video. The fireman new his job, hardly any smoke at all. Just the right sort of line for that sort of work. Can`t see why it could not be done more often.

[@7ideaproductions]

Agreed. Not trying to show off for camera, just working as it should.

[@williamcochell9889]

Wow again memories! Sorry to be redundant I think I mentioned this before! I was the regular engineer on the mill turn out of Albany, we took empties up and loaded log flats back! Also held the local freight out of Lebanon for a long time!

[@robingilmore1444]

Man I'd love to make a pot of coffee and have a visit with you. Just an old truck driver we called hwy 22 the outlaw trail I remember trains clear east to the desert. I really miss those days. The train always answered my horn.

[@wafflesnfalafel1]

super nice vid - love the '87 rail bit, (holy cow, I had no idea...)

[@johnkanicsar8248]

Nothing like a real railroad doing real things to drive prototype train modeler’s nuts. This is awesome.

[@LouT1501]

Absolutely gorgeous videography, Aaron! Thanks for putting this together and posting it here. It sure was a fun day chasing Porky and yacking with you and everyone else. Wow, almost 4,000 views in only 3 hours.

[@7ideaproductions]

It was good seeing you Lou! Along with Lloyd, Al, and the gang. I almost didn't come since I was having company that afternoon. Sure glad I made it. YT is telling me 6k now. Looks like we have a hit on our hands!

[@LouT1501]

@@7ideaproductions If this turns into a DVD/blueray, I'll buy two!

[@coopercovelo]

@@7ideaproductions Set up a video screen at antique powerland for this. I think it deserves a place there!

[@allanegleston4931]

i bet everyone who wasn't a rail fan was in a state of shock seeing this beauty.

[@JohnGeorgeBauerBuis]

Even if they’d seen the locomotive before, seeing it on a freight train would certainly be unexpected.

[@henryjewell3900]

Thank You for a thoroughly enjoyable video.

[@7ideaproductions]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@harrisonofcolorado8886]

The real life little engine that could

[@eventhorizon2218]

Cannot figure out while you do not have millions of subscribers. So much quality content. !'m a kid of the sixties, maybe that is the reason. To much tech today. I still have all my old train sets from those days. Keep up with your amazing videos!

[@7ideaproductions]

Thank you for your kind words! I hope to get there - one video at a time.

[@SimonTog]

Wonderful video, big thumbs up :)

[@7ideaproductions]

Thank you!

[@davidwhiting1761]

It's hilarious to see how tiny Porky is compared to contemporary hi cube boxcars. He's absolutely dwarfed by them! But despite how small that engine is, it is likely still nowhere near tonnage for that little engine. On the flat at least, anyway. I'd link very to know just how and why the engine got this apparently unusual assignment that day.

[@7ideaproductions]

It looked a little out of place with those hi cubes, but it got the job done!

[@LouT1501]

It was more a matter of the engineer wanting to exercise it on a freight and it being warm from usage the days prior. It also ran on the 4th with a fireworks special to the City of Lebanon's fireworks show. Porky may be petite but she sure is pretty and a charmer.

[@robertheinkel6225]

Even the caboose was dwarfed by those cars.

[@coopercovelo]

@@LouT1501 So it was that the engine was warm from the weekend, and needed to be used on a Tuesday. If they were going to spend the energy to fire it back up, may as well run some freight with it. I fully approve!

[@LouT1501]

@@coopercovelo And I think their engineer wanted to take it out to Mill City.

[@scotth4760]

Excellent video wonderful seeing the steamer doing what it was built to do

[@Mr.Rogers143]

Dude, your voice is nostalgic! You sound just like the narrators on the train videos and documentaries I watched as a kid in the 80s and 90s.

[@7ideaproductions]

Yeah it's the only voice I have. I'm definitely an old school radio guy. 😁

[@allenra530]

My parents had a house a short distance from that branch line and I used to watch the SP trains running out to the lumber mill in Mill City. There are farms in the area that grow grass seed for the landscaping industry and the bags of seed are loaded onto boxcars from the seed cleaning and packaging sheds along the line. I worked for Oregon DOT at the highway maintenance at Santiam Junction, plowing snow in winter and keeping the road repaired in summer. The remains of an extension of this railroad over Santiam Pass, which was begun but never completed, are still visible on the mountainside north of the highway, west of the summit.

[@getube9]

Absolutey beautiful video! Shot well, edited and produced well, and great VO with NO AI!!!

[@user-AZ-phil]

Oh boy! A real working steam locomotive, hauling a revenue train! Can you believe it! Not a foto op train! It's fantastic to see her doing what she was built to do, today. I wish I could have been there to see it!

[@SD40Fan_Jason]

Seeing that little teakettle actively switching, a flood of memories hit me. One thing's for sure, you'll never get a diesel to change directions that fast today. Instead it's flip the reverser, pull on the throttle, release the independent brake, go have lunch and maybe we'll start shoving on these cars in a moment... I had a pair of GP7s that had a really good response time to switching but they're probably at the bottom of some scrap pile, or who knows... They're probably a wal-mart shopping buggy by now. But now, switching with Steam, you could really get some work done in a yard! I only got to handle revenue freight one time with steam and it was just a switching move. Pull out a string of tanks, set out the empty, put the string of tanks back, spotting up the bottom one to the nozzle. But it sure was cool!

[@haroldalexis4200]

That's amazing that sized engine can still do it even after retirement. Those 3 TTX cars & SOUTHERN PACIFIC caboose & lumber racks modern equipment & a classic steam engine. I love this now i want a model of this in HO scale. Great entertaining video. 🎥👍⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@jazzridez]

Uncategorically BEAUTIFUL.

[@timbukh3]

What a fine engine perfectly complimented with the pig perched on the headlight.

[@Padfoot78]

It's nice to see a train without a diesel engine behind it, makes it really authentic

[@kompst_tu]

Loved every second of it.

[@FrogandFlangeVideo]

Wow ! That was just terrific to watch. Thank for sharing it. James.

[@7ideaproductions]

Glad you enjoyed it! It was a last minute change of plans for us to film it. Sure glad we did!

[@FrogandFlangeVideo]

@@7ideaproductions I am glad as well !

[@foellerd]

I bet some companies are happy to pay extra to have their goods shipped by steam train, it’s neat. I’d be a little impressed to know that’s how I ended up with something I purchased.

[@mylesspear]

Now that you mentioned the pig on top of the headlight, I can’t stop looking at it. 😂

[@shaunaustin7848]

I bet the crew had a blast on this day, it would really be something special to take part in. That engine sure looks good!

[@FQP-7024]

the Big Boy helping a stalled train and now #205 pulls revenue service, what a time to be alive.

[@royzug2847]

It was fun to see a steam engine working like the old days. Thanks for posting.

[@davidmorris7696]

Great video !

[@7ideaproductions]

Thank you!

[@organist660]

love these trains.

[@ronalddevine9587]

More of the same, PLEASE. Very enjoyable 😊

[@7ideaproductions]

Thank you! Will do my best!

[@eventhorizon2218]

@@7ideaproductions Your videos are outstanding. Memories if simpler times. Best of times.

[@stuff___idontknow2610]

A steam train pulling freight in 2023 Awesome !!!!!!

[@randyhale4181]

That was pretty amazing👍🏼👍🏼

[@trackside8279]

As always , 7idea always produces top shelf videos.

[@7ideaproductions]

Thank you!

[@eggballo4490]

This summer, steam engines have proven to everyone something that I've always believed. Steam engines are still very capable of doing real work in the 21st century and should do it on a regular basis.

[@SirLANsalot]

As cool as steam is, it is more expensive to run vs a diesel engine. You need at least 3 man crew vs only 2, and usually with steam it was 5 people to run the train. Not to mention the extra cost of fuel sources depending on locomotive and the need to stop at key points for water. Not saying it isn't possible to run a steam based railroad, today, just that there would be some obstacles to overcome to make it run efficient and profitable.

[@jimbelcher6877]

@@SirLANsalot Not to mention maintenance headaches.

[@pauljensen5699]

One word. Coal. . . . . . I am all for mining coal, but it has fallen out of political favor. Having any real number of steam locomotives around just wouldn't work. Lowly Bunker C is in the same boat.

[@eggballo4490]

@@pauljensen5699 Two Words, oil burner.

[@macosx10.7lion4]

@@jimbelcher6877over ninety percent of maintenance costs (boiler corrosion) can be reduced using the Porta treatment of boiler water and the GPCS (Gas Producing Combustion System).

[@elgoog-the-third]

Last year, there was a train in Germany where a full-length train was pulled by an old steam engine.

[@kingkoopa64]

It is like seeing a good old cabover semi hauling a modern trailer. There isn't much, but the job done great.

[@matthewrinehart9514]

Great story and video.

[@7ideaproductions]

Thank you!

[@davecruzen9352]

Great video. Brings back memories of yore.😊

[@nyotamwuaji6484]

she looks so happy pulling that cargo train, even if its small. probably thinking "fuck yes, a chance to stretch my pistons!

[@AndreaJingling]

Absolutely a wonderful show, glad to see 205 is getting it's dues in. Beautiful engine, beautiful line, and a wonderful piece of history. With Polson Logging #2 soon to be under the care of this railroad from what I've understood, hopefully the two get a chance to shine together. And maybe, just maybe, the little lady around 45 miles to the west in Toledo gets her chance to ride rails once more. cmon One Spot baby let's see you steam.

[@cdavid8139]

fantastic video work

[@agwrr71productions79]

What impressive scenery! It makes me think of Stand By Me. The locomotive is even a Prairie!

[@sebastianbarthel2393]

Imagine some train engineer from that loco's era travel into the future and watch this train with those high cubes. I bet he would think: "What the heck are those giants?"😅

[@Slipperyisimproving]

Santa Maria Valley 2-6-2 #205 on the Albany and Eastern Railroad. This engine may be small but it gets the job done

[@toddschmidt206]

Great sound from the engine when hooked up to the add freight wheel slip and all. Hope to see more of this

[@overpoweredsteamproduction513]

Now this is what I wanna see! I’ll bet that 205 handled that train better than ever thanks to the new roller bearings on those cars

[@arcraventree]

Well that certainty gives me some inspiration for something different on my layout. 😆 That’s so cool to see!

[@STICKGUYMB]

I hope this becomes a trend of smaller railroads having steam locos haul some trains once in a while. Even from a business standpoint, it's smart because it would bring positive attention/advertising to their company.

[@francisdoss8642]

Oh Wow...absolutely romantic...I recall the first time we went on the Heritage Train from Mettupalayam to Ootacamund (India), we almost got stuck in a tunnel: choking on the smoke...All open windows! The engine crew did their best and slowly but surely chugged us out of the tunnel close to Coonoor and of course the locomotive needed the much needed WATER...! Thanks folks for this video...!🚂🚂🚂

[@crystalrock18]

This right here is is making me into one giant foamer. I’ll admit this foamer footage at its finest, but that’s okay I’m a foamer too. Awesome footage of American history still making history today.

[@caseyvillemodelrailroad3877]

Great vidio, and great ta see steam hauling a payload.Thanks for the morning coffee...

[@joshualawn8721]

Good ole Porky! Such a cool railroad.

[@Sapper201D]

That's old time railroading indeed. Note the timeless, have a nice day salute @13:58. Choo choo mutha funka!😂

[@darinhassett4708]

I would have loved to been at a mill and seen this beautiful engine.. plus the amazing echo coming off the hills

[@donh6416]

Great to see steam still active in the Northwest. There was a time when steam pulled a majority of the lumber out of the NW forests to the coastal ports to be sent by ship to San Francisco, Southern Calif and the east coast.

[@MySteamChannel]

Awesome! Greets from Australia.

[@austinstitzel]

Love that steam locomotive!

[@daveschobersr5950]

Gotta love the sounds a steam locomotive makes

[@Tom-zo2rc]

That locomotive originated near my hometown here in Oakdale California. Part of the Stockton to Visalia railroad mentioned. It's definitely a small world

[@dennisrankin325]

Steam, as close as any machine can have a soul. Well shot and nicely edited giving full feeling for this pretty wee prairie. Thank You!!

[@pauljensen5699]

As long as can make 90 psi air pressure on the rear of the train, it's good to go!😂

[@lashendawest7509]

Great video

[@7ideaproductions]

Thank you!

[@apricotandwesternrailroad5662]

Little engines can do big things!

[@Thenniceguy101-km7wp]

A certain anthropomorphic blue E2 tank loco told you that didn't he?

[@raydunakin]

Nice camera work, great sound, and what a beautiful little loco! We don't see very many with that 2-6-2 wheel arrangement these days.

[@Celebrity_Cruise_Reborn]

Steam engines are so amazing I don’t see a train, I see a living breathing beast of beauty and power, each chuff of her funnel is her breathing and heaving the heavy load It’s a not just a train, it’s a living being listening to its masters

[@horsewoodtrains15]

I wish modern railroads still used steam engines. 😢

[@Bud-uz1bw]

one thing I think every one can agree on is how neat this little engine is

[@richharris9489]

Awesome video. The camera you guys use is very good

[@7ideaproductions]

Thank you.

[@robingilmore1444]

Riding the train in my own neighborhood, excellent day for the old guy!

[@Oregontrailblazin]

I want to be the caboose person just stand there .. ( I know he has a real job )

[@jjxtwo1]

Drinking coffee in a caboose being pulled by a steam engine... I could do that!

[@kaykaispicy]

Wow very good I like video 👍 😊

[@stephenhottle6783]

Very cool 😎

[@dannagy546]

I love seeing old steam power hauling revenue freight!

[@OregonCrow]

Hell of a video as always. cheers

[@motor2of7]

She looks quite content, out in front, doing her job. Beautiful

[@michelmoroni9865]

And as the little engine puffed up the mountain. She said, “I think I can, I think I can.”

[@SynchroScore]

Might be fun if we could get the mechanical stoker on Frisco 1630 working again to try running freight. Of course, there are two main obstacles. First the extra-wide tires can cause derailments at self-guarding frogs, if there are any. Second, our outside connection is Union Pacific, which isn't the friendliest railroad to charters and excursions.

[@iBackshift]

haha, pretty awesome. The shot of er' coming up the hill with the heavy chuffin was great.

[@MrTomb1976]

love to see this kinda content wish they used more steam yet, it was mainly phased out before my time but love the history!

[@mitchmatthews6713]

Bravo!

[@oneparticularharbor144]

Just need Lee Marvin and Keith Carradine trying to hitch a ride on that local to make it complete. ... and in Oregon too!

[@beryllium1932]

Lookatchu lil choo-choo!

[@KatyPacific382]

Thats also the first time in ages a caboose, especially a bay window caboose, is used on a revenue freight train

[@blackterminal]

Fantastic. :)