The 5057 Project is moving again – literally!
After years of waiting for an opening to continue restoration work at the Pend Oreille Valley Railroad (POVA) shop in Usk, WA, we are moving the 5057 to another shop.
The locomotive left Usk for the Columbia Rail shop in Richland, WA, on Tuesday, May 27. BNSF picked it up at Sandpoint on Thursday, and by Friday morning, it was in Pasco. It was delivered to Columbia Rail on Tuesday, June 3. The 5057 is on private property. Please do not trespass to view the locomotive.
Milwaukee Road 5057 at Usk, WA being prepared to move. Jonathan Fischer photo, May 27, 2025
We had hoped to finish the work at POVA. They do excellent work, and it felt like “home” for the 5057 since POVA operates the former Milwaukee Road Metaline Falls branch. However, it became clear that there would not be an opportunity to bring the 5057 into their shop again for years, given their steady backlog of work for commercial customers.
Given the prospect of waiting additional years to get the 5057 into the POVA shop, we asked Columbia Rail if they could perform the cosmetic restoration. They began using their Richland shop to perform locomotive work for customers a few years ago, and also produce excellent work. They are enthusiastic about the project and can start on the 5057 this summer.
Once the Columbia Rail team closely inspects the locomotive, we will finalize the scope of work and negotiate a new cost estimate. Then, we will know how much more money we will need to complete the restoration work. Our fundraising activities for the locomotive have been on hold until we can show progress on the project. We will restart fundraising once work on the locomotive resumes.
We appreciate the assistance POVA has provided, along with the safe storage of the locomotive, and we look forward to a productive relationship with Columbia Rail.
Milwaukee Road 5057 at Newport, WA on May 28, 2025. Jonathan Fischer photo
Milwaukee Road 5057 waiting to be picked up by BNSF at Sandpoint, ID on May 29, 2025. Jonathan Fischer photo
