It was retired from revenue service in 1955 and was donated to the City of Chehalis who preserved it for static display at [[Recreation Park Complex (Chehalis, Washington)|Recreation Park]], there, it would remain on display at the park for the next thirty-one years.<ref name=”Olympian News”/><ref name=”Steamlocomotive.com”/><ref name=”1M1L”>{{cite journal |last=Anders |first=Kurt F. |date=April 2007 |title=1 man, 1 locomotive, 70 years together! |journal=Trains |volume=67 |issue=4 |pages=56–57 |id={{ProQuest|206642817}} }}</ref>
It was retired from revenue service in 1955 and was donated to the City of Chehalis who preserved it for static display at [[Recreation Park Complex (Chehalis, Washington)|Recreation Park]], there, it would remain on display at the park for the next thirty-one years.<ref name=”Olympian News”/><ref name=”Steamlocomotive.com”/><ref name=”1M1L”>{{cite journal |last=Anders |first=Kurt F. |date=April 2007 |title=1 man, 1 locomotive, 70 years together! |journal=Trains |volume=67 |issue=4 |pages=56–57 |id={{ProQuest|206642817}} }}</ref>
In 1986, the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Association was formed and approached the City of Chehalis about restoring an operating the No. 15 for tourist excursions.<ref name=”Steamlocomotive.com”/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.steamtrainride.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/One-Page-Media-Fact-Sheet.docx.pdf |title=Chehalis – Centralia Railroad |website=Steamtrainride.com |access-date=February 9, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/washington-state-heritage-railroad-suspends-operations/ |title=Washington state heritage railroad suspends operations |website=Trains.com |date=March 7, 2022 |access-date=February 9, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Blomdahl |first1=George |title=”Mr. Sign Man” Of Chehalis To Retire |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1969/05-03/page-14 |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=[[The Chronicle (Centralia, Washington)|The Daily Chronicle]] |date=May 3, 1969}}</ref> It was eventually removed from display and moved into the [[Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad]]’s Mineral Shops for restoration.<ref name=”CTRNN”>{{cite news |last1=Kim |first1=Gina |title=Chehalis train ride nurtures nostalgic dreams of steam |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0FC5FA2AD3D7602F |access-date=January 27, 2026 |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |date=July 17, 2003 |page=G6 |id={{NewsBank text|0FC5FA2AD3D7602F}} |via=[[NewsBank]] |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name=”Steamlocomotive.com”/> It returned to steam in 1989 and began hauling excursion trains for the [[Chehalis–Centralia Railroad]] (CHTX).<ref name=”Steamlocomotive.com”/>
In 1986, the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Association was formed and approached the City of Chehalis about restoring an operating the No. 15 for tourist excursions.<ref name=”Steamlocomotive.com”/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.steamtrainride.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/One-Page-Media-Fact-Sheet.docx.pdf |title=Chehalis – Centralia Railroad |website=Steamtrainride.com |access-date=February 9, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/washington-state-heritage-railroad-suspends-operations/ |title=Washington state heritage railroad suspends operations |website=Trains.com |date=March 7, 2022 |access-date=February 9, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Blomdahl |first1=George |title=”Mr. Sign Man” Of Chehalis To Retire |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1969/05-03/page-14 |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=[[The Chronicle (Centralia, Washington)|The Daily Chronicle]] |date=May 3, 1969}}</ref> It was eventually removed from display and moved into the [[Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad]]’s Mineral Shops for restoration.<ref name=”CTRNN”>{{cite news |last1=Kim |first1=Gina |title=Chehalis train ride nurtures nostalgic dreams of steam |url=https://..com//// |access-date=January 27, 2026 |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |date=July 17, 2003 |page=G6 |id={{NewsBank text|0FC5FA2AD3D7602F}} |via=[[NewsBank]] |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name=”Steamlocomotive.com”/> It returned to steam in 1989 and began hauling excursion trains for the [[Chehalis–Centralia Railroad]] (CHTX).<ref name=”Steamlocomotive.com”/>
In 2019, No. 15 was found to have major boiler damage and could no longer be steamed safely, it was taken out of service to undergo major boiler repairs with an estimated cost of $1 million to return it to operation again.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fitzgerald |first1=Celene |title=Steam Train Still Out of Commission, Needs $150,000 in Repairs |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/steam-train-still-out-of-commission-needs-150000-in-repairs,6837 |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=The Chronicle |date=November 6, 2019}}</ref><ref name=”CCRAM”>{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Owen |title=Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum president looks back on five years of overcoming hurdles |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/chehalis-centralia-railroad-and-museum-president-looks-back-on-five-years-of-overcoming-hurdles,382840 |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=The Chronicle |date=June 18, 2025}}</ref> As of 2026, work is still underway.<ref name=”CCRAM”/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wenzelberger |first1=Jared |title=In Focus: Sparks Fly as Repairs to Engine 15 Continue in Chehalis |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/in-focus-sparks-fly-as-repairs-to-engine-15-continue-in-chehalis,275966 |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=The Chronicle |date=October 25, 2022}}</ref>
In 2019, No. 15 was found to have major boiler damage and could no longer be steamed safely, it was taken out of service to undergo major boiler repairs with an estimated cost of $1 million to return it to operation again.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fitzgerald |first1=Celene |title=Steam Train Still Out of Commission, Needs $150,000 in Repairs |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/steam-train-still-out-of-commission-needs-150000-in-repairs,6837 |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=The Chronicle |date=November 6, 2019}}</ref><ref name=”CCRAM”>{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Owen |title=Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum president looks back on five years of overcoming hurdles |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/chehalis-centralia-railroad-and-museum-president-looks-back-on-five-years-of-overcoming-hurdles,382840 |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=The Chronicle |date=June 18, 2025}}</ref> As of 2026, work is still underway.<ref name=”CCRAM”/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wenzelberger |first1=Jared |title=In Focus: Sparks Fly as Repairs to Engine 15 Continue in Chehalis |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/in-focus-sparks-fly-as-repairs-to-engine-15-continue-in-chehalis,275966 |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=The Chronicle |date=October 25, 2022}}</ref>
Preserved American 2-8-2 locomotive
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 No. 15 awaiting to depart with an excursion train, July 8, 2006 |
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Chehalis-Centralia Railroad 15 is a 2-8-2 “Mikado” type steam locomotive, built in 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Clear Lake Lumber Company. It is preserved and operated by the Chehalis–Centralia Railroad (CHTX).
No. 15 was built in 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works as No. 200 for the Clear Lake Lumber Company, were it spent many years hauling logging trains on Clear Lake’s mainline until the Clear Lake Lumber Company went bankrupt.[2][1] In 1926, it was sold to the Cowlitz, Chehalis & Cascade Railway and was renumbered to No. 15.[2]
It was retired from revenue service in 1955 and was donated to the City of Chehalis who preserved it for static display at Recreation Park, there, it would remain on display at the park for the next thirty-one years.[1][2][3]
In 1986, the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Association was formed and approached the City of Chehalis about restoring an operating the No. 15 for tourist excursions.[2][4][5][6] It was eventually removed from display and moved into the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad‘s Mineral Shops for restoration.[7][2] It returned to steam in 1989 and began hauling excursion trains for the Chehalis–Centralia Railroad (CHTX).[2]
In 2019, No. 15 was found to have major boiler damage and could no longer be steamed safely, it was taken out of service to undergo major boiler repairs with an estimated cost of $1 million to return it to operation again.[8][9] As of 2026, work is still underway.[9][10]
- ^ a b c “Happy Birthday to Engine No. 15, one of Chehalis’ oldest residents”. The Olympian News. September 12, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f “2-8-2 “Mikado” Steam Locomotives in the USA Puget Sound & Cascade”. steamlocomotive.com. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
- ^ Anders, Kurt F. (April 2007). “1 man, 1 locomotive, 70 years together!”. Trains. 67 (4): 56–57. ProQuest 206642817.
- ^ “Chehalis – Centralia Railroad” (PDF). Steamtrainride.com. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
- ^ “Washington state heritage railroad suspends operations”. Trains.com. March 7, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
- ^ Blomdahl, George (May 3, 1969). “‘Mr. Sign Man’ Of Chehalis To Retire”. The Daily Chronicle. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
- ^ Kim, Gina (July 17, 2003). “Chehalis train ride nurtures nostalgic dreams of steam”. The Seattle Times. p. G6. NewsBank 0FC5FA2AD3D7602F. Retrieved January 27, 2026 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Fitzgerald, Celene (November 6, 2019). “Steam Train Still Out of Commission, Needs $150,000 in Repairs”. The Chronicle. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
- ^ a b Sexton, Owen (June 18, 2025). “Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum president looks back on five years of overcoming hurdles”. The Chronicle. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
- ^ Wenzelberger, Jared (October 25, 2022). “In Focus: Sparks Fly as Repairs to Engine 15 Continue in Chehalis”. The Chronicle. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
