Medco #8

MEDCO #8

The Medco 8 is an S-8 switcher (cn.75481) built for the Medford Corporation (Medco) by Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton in 1952. See builders photo to the right.

Designed to move loaded log trains downhill, the No. 8 is the only Baldwin switcher equipped with dynamic braking. The No. 8 remained in regular service with Medco for less than 10 years. Medco ended its railroad operations in 1961.

Here are 2 photos of Medco #8 in service. In the second photo #8 tangled with a log truck in the forests near Butte Falls, Or. in 1954.

Following the end of Medco railroad logging in 1961, the No. 8 was sold to the Magma Arizona Railroad in 1968. As Magma Arizona Railroad No. 8, it operated out of Superior, Arizona, hauling copper ore concentrate for Magma Copper and perlite as a common carrier for 24 years. Magma Arizona Railroad made several changes to the 8 including the addition of drop steps, MU connections, additional handrails and three (out of four) sets of roller bearing axles. The 8 also received two paint jobs while in Arizona.

In September, 1992 the No. 8 suffered a catastrophic failure of the main generator and was taken out of service.

The Southern Oregon Railway Historical Society purchased the No. 8 from the Magma Arizona Railroad in July, 1995. The purchase included a used "running take out" replacement generator and a new axle and wheels. Society members made several trips to Magma to prepare the locomotive for shipment and load oversee loading it on a flat car. Southern Pacific donated the use of a flat car and gondola for the trucks and generator as well as transporataion back to Oregon. Magma Arizona Railroad donated transportation to the SP Interchange at Superior and the Willamette & Pacific donated transportation from SP Interchange in Albany to their shops.

The planned mechanical work for the restoration of the No. 8 was completed in February, 1997. After some testing in the Willamette & Pacific Albany yard a combination road test and fan trip was planned with cars provided by the the Willamette & Pacific and the No. 8 as power.

After additional repairs in Albany #8 returned to the Rogue Valley where it was repainted back into its original paint scheme. It is now stored in operating condition.

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Photo: Allen Dobney Collection

Photo: SOHS Collection

Southern Oregon Railway Historical Society

A Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society