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Fields of Green: POTB motive power boost, page 3

Seven units down, three to go. Then a long drought set in. For a while, it seemed that they may never move. Meanwhile, back at the ranch (or engine house, as it may be..) the Port's small mechanical staff was busying itself taking advantage of a roster that had suddenly doubled in size.

6139 did solo duty on the coast switch for a while, but was joined by the 4406 (en-route to Batterson to rejoin the freight consist) on a particularly sizable train March 26. The train is headed out of Garibaldi with 38 cars in tow. Photo by Jody Moore.	A few hours later, low clouds and a quick downpour almost completely obscure the trailing cars (upper left) as the train winds through a set of curves at MP 830. Photo by Jody Moore.
None of the units were operational when they arrived, and some were in worse shape than others. Still, every bit as important as the units that have been pressed into service are the units that may never be used. 6157 donated wheelsets to the 4432 to get it running again. It was decided that swapping trucks and all would be easier. (Note the silver truck on the front.) Photo by Jody Moore.	POTB 6116 was first used on March 23. It was found on the point of the hill train on April 2 in Timber, along with the 4406, 4405 and 6114. Photo by Jody Moore.
A few days later, after almost a week of warm summery weather, the hill train climbed east toward Cochran amidst a surprise snow flurry. 6116 and 6114 are in consist, trailing the 4405 and 4406 as the train climbs the nearly 3% grade near MP 800.7. Photo by Jody Moore.	About a week later - with the snows only a memory - the 6139 and 4432 replaced the 6116 and 6114 on the hill. The train is near MP 807 on the 6139's first trip over the mountain. Photo by Jody Moore.
On April 13 — nearly two months after the previous units arrived — the 6156 finally made its way into Banks. The morning is still young as the freight hooks into the 6156 and readies for a pre-sunrise departure from Banks. The final two units, 6164 and BNSF 6124, were both in Washington. Photo by Jody Moore.	6139 leads the freight as it starts into the downgrade at Cochran with the 6156 in tow. Despite the fact that the head end is headed down, the power is pulling to get the remainder of the train over the crest. Photo by Jody Moore.

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