Look, Listen And Live! SP&S 700 Rail Safety Faire in Salem on Saturday

In May 2005, a similar event drew more than 4,000 rail fans to the siding area adjacent to the park to experience one of America's biggest pieces of rail history up close.

Train Locomotive SP&S 700

(SALEM) - The 2nd Annual SP&S 700 Rail Safety Faire takes place at Salem's Riverfront Park Saturday, September 2nd.

Several thousand train buffs are expected to line the tracks to watch the big steam engine's trip south.

In January, the engine was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The SP&S 700 received this honor because it is a working example of the peak of proven steam and rail technology as it was at the end of the Age of Steam.

The 700, unmodified during its service from 1938 to 1956, is restored, maintained and operated as it was originally. It is a 4-8-4 Northern built by Baldwin in 1938 and steamed in mainline service until 1956.

Owned by the City of Portland, this behemoth piece of historic transportation power has been lovingly restored by the Pacific Railroad Preservation Association (PRPA).

The PRPA is co-hosting the Rail Safety Faire along with the Oregon Department of Transportation's Operation Lifesaver unit.

Grant funds from the City of Salem's Transient Occupancy Tax will help defray the hefty price tag of bringing this giant to town.

Over 110 feet long and almost 17 feet tall, the 700 will be pulling a vintage passenger car, the Plum Creek, (formerly a passenger car on the Great Northern railroad) and a former GN Caboose.

The train leaves Portland Friday, September 1st and will overnight in Tigard.

Saturday morning, it will proceed south to Salem, allowing train fans along the route exceptional photo opportunities.

The big engine will steam into downtown Salem, then back onto the siding adjacent to Salem's Riverfront Park at approximately 10:00 AM, Saturday.

You'll know it's coming when you hear the steam whistle and see the towering plume. Free cab tours will be offered and there will be plenty of photo opportunities both in Salem and along the route from Brooklyn Yard in Portland to the Salem stop.

Rail safety information and demonstrations by the City of Salem Fire Department will be going on between 10 AM and 4 PM.

Tickets to board the engine are free at the Operation Lifesaver booth.

Also happening in Riverfront Park the same day is the 15th Annual Carousel Cruise-In.

It will feature nearly 300 vintage vehicles from all over the northwest.

The two events worked together to create one huge event that will draw similar audiences.