On the dark side with Sumpter's "Stump Dodger." Sumpter Valley Railway's 65-ton Alco Mikado #19 highballs east out of Sumpter Oregon, headed for Baker City with a fresh load of logs. Back in its heyday, this railroad was known as the "Stump Dodger" because numerous logging operations grew up around it. Hauling timber was the lifeblood of this operation, and clear-cuts were a regular part of the scenery.
With a tractive effort of 23,700 lbs, this 65-ton wood-burner, was acquired fresh from the American Locomotive works in 1920. She served the Sumpter Valley for 21 years until the line acquired a pair of Uintah Railway 2-6-6-2s with twice the tractive effort. With diminishing traffic, the line began selling off its legacy power, including the 19. She and her sister, the #20, were sold to the White Pass & Yukon, where she became WPY #81. After being converted to burn oil, this engine served the White Pass until 1957, when she was retired from service and stored on a deadline in Skagway. In 1977, she was sold back to the rebuilt Sumpter Valley Railroad (tourist operation), but it would be nearly 20 years before she could be restored to operation. She now operates regularly, hauling tourists on the 5 mile restored line.
