Oregon Pacific Railroad 187
Last Update:  October 9, 2011
Oregon Pacific Railroad No. 187
Number 187 in storage at Milwualkie
Photos: Jan. 2005
The OPR No. 187 is a EMD NW5.   One of only 3 or 4 known to still exist.   A total of only 13 were built.  This makes the OPR
187 a fairly rare locomotive.   This particular unit was one of 10 that was built in December, 1946 for the Great Northern
Railroad, Serial No. 3480, frame No. E687-2.   It looks like a switcher, but is actually a road engine.

The NW5 is basically an NW2 switcher with additional hood to house a steam generator used to heat passenger cars.  The
frame was extended to house larger road fuel tanks and water tanks.   The 187's steam generator was later removed and the
water tanks converted to hold extra diesel fuel.

In 1970 the Great Northern merged with Burlington Northern and at some point the 187 was repainted in Green BN colors and
later renumbered BN 987.

The then 987 was sold by BN to Pacific Transportation Services sometime after 1982 and Numbered 1001.  It was later sold
to Pete Replinger and renumbered back to its original 187.    Mr. Samuels purchased it in the early 1990s with the intention of
running it on the Molalla division.  

The original diesel prime mover was an EMD 12-567A making 1000 h.p.    Because the 12-567A  was worn out and not
economical to rebuild, being an A block engine, he installed a rebuilt EMD 8-567B, that makes 800 h.p.  

However, the restoration of the 187 has stalled due to other projects.   Other locomotives were purchased and put into use on
the Molalla Branch, which meant that the 187's restoration was not immediately needed for freight service.

The 187 appears to be in poor condition cosmetically, but in fact, mechanically it is in good shape, including a rebuilt engine,
roller bearings and good wheels and is a good candidate for a full restoration.

Plans are to potentially restore the 187 once the No. 802 is restored and repainted.   It will likely be a few years, before the
OPR crew can attend to the 187.  It currently resides in storage in a fenced compound at Golf Junction.

Another NW5 known to survive was the Great Northern No. 192, which is currently in service with the North Shore Scenic
Railroad.

Here is a older photo of the 187 while serving with the Great Northern.


Reference these pages for more general information on EMD NW5s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_NW5

http://yardlimit.railfan.net/emd/nw5/index.html

More photos of the North Shore Scenic Railroad 192 for reference.  01, 02, 03, 03, 04

Also a photo of the 3rd NW5 known to exist operated by the Mass Central Railroad.
Thanks to James Draper for this link
This is an EMD builder photo of the 187 taken upon delivery to the Great Northern in 1946.
Number 187 in storage at Milwualkie
Photos: June, 2007
Cab of the 187
Photos:  Oct. 2007
Number 187 in storage at Milwualkie
Photos: Oct. 2007
This is the former steam generator compartment that is the short hood of the NW5.   Once the steam generator was removed, this compartment
was left empty.  Mr. Samuels built battery boxes to store the starter batteries in here when in use.
Photos: Oct. 2007
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Brian McCamish
In Search of History Expeditions
Active & Abandoned Railroads of the Northwest
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Photos of the 187 on display near the shops in June, 2009
Photos:  June 2009
Photos of the 187 when it was working as No. 987 for the BN, at Westminster, BC in April, 1981.
Photo courtesy of Mark (dieselman on Trainorders.com)
FOR SALE

The 187 is now for sale.   Restoration was begun a number of years ago, including a newer engine.
However it was never finished and this locomotive does not currently fit in the fleet needs of the
OPR.    It is hoped that an owner can be found to take the locomotive as a whole.   However, if no
buyers are found, the locomotive will likely be parted out and scrapped.

Serious Inquiries Only Please

503-659-5452