By Railfan & Railroad Staff

LEBANON, Ore. — A classy looking 2-6-2 Baldwin has found a new home in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Earlier this year, the Albany & Eastern Railroad — a short line operating on former Southern Pacific and Burlington Northern trackage — purchased Santa Maria Valley 205 for use on its Santiam Excursion Trains.

SMV 205 was built by Baldwin in 1924 and placed on display in Santa Maria, Calif., in the 1950s. The locomotive was purchased by a private owner in the 1980s who has spent the last few decades restoring it. That restoration was completed earlier this year and the locomotive was recently moved to the A&E. This week, the locomotive was being tested around Lebanon. 

The railroad said the public will have the opportunity to ride behind the locomotive before the end of the year. Visit santiamexcursiontrains.com for more information.