Medco locomotive No. 4 is a Willamette locomotive (it looks like a Lima Shay but it isn't) built originally for the Owen-Oregon Lumber Co. This is a rare piece of railroad equipment. Willamette Iron and Steel only built 33 locomotives. Medco No. 4 is one of only six Willamette locomotives that have escaped the cutting torch.
MEDCO #4
The No. 4 began and ended it's career in the forests of the Cascade Mountains around the town of Butte Falls, east of Medford Oregon. It became the Medford Corporation (Medco) locomotive No. 4 in 1932 after the financially troubled Owen-Oregon Lumber went into receivership and was reorganized by the creditors as the Medford Corporation.
In 1959 the No. 4 was retired by the Medford Corporation and donated to the City of Medford. It was moved to Jackson Park were it was turned into a piece of playground equipment by Medford City Parks. By 1976 the locomotive had
deteriorated considerably. It had settled into the dirt and was in danger of tipping over. The City of Medford considered the locomotive a liability and was prepared to give it to a museum group in Portland. Some local rail fans that were to become the founding members of the SO Rail successfully made an appeal to the city to retain the locomotive in Southern Oregon. The Chapter became custodians of the No. 4. It was rolled off its base which was then leveled and ballasted. After the No. 4 was replaced on its base it was fenced by the city to reduce vandalism and the risk of liability.
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In September, 1997 the Society acquired the No. 4 from the City of Medford with intent of restoring it to operating condition. During the time that the locomotive sat unprotected in Jackson Park most of the smaller, removable, and collectable parts were removed by collectors and vandals.
Today Medco #4 is undergoing a complete restoration at Medford RR Park & is about 90% complete as seen in the photo to the left.
Copyright 2023 by the Southern Oregon Railway Historical Society
Photo: Jerry Hellinga
Medco #4 working in the forest belived to be near Camp 4.
Photo: Collection of Jerry Hellinga
Medco #4 at Camp 4.
Southern Oregon Railway Historical Society
A Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society
