Distinctly Montana Magazine

50 D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A M A G A Z I N E • FA L L 2 0 2 5 camps that turns bloody. The studio had No. 7 repaired and put back into service so it could be used in several scenes. Since the Anaconda's own logging rail lines had been ripped up, the stu- dio filmed the locomotive on track owned by the Chicago, Mil- waukee, St. Paul & Pacific, better known as the Milwaukee Road. Timberjack was released in 1955. After filming, the locomotive was displayed in front of the lumber mill in Bonner, where it re- mained for the next 30 years. In 1987, the lumber company do- nated the locomotive to the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, where Larry Ingold discovered it a few years ago. Before moving to Montana, Ingold worked for the Sierra Railroad in California, where he did everything from rebuilding track to operating steam engines. After retiring about a decade ago, In- gold settled in the Bitterroot Valley, where he took on various house projects and worked on a 7.5-inch gauge replica of a big Southern Pacific steam locomotive. But eventually, that wasn't enough to pass the time. "My wife told me that I needed a project to stay busy, and I think she meant for me to paint the bathroom or fix the railings on the back porch," he said. "But instead, I began restoring a full-size steam locomotive." Ingold approached the museum a few years ago about giving the locomotive a fresh coat of paint and sprucing it up. But as he and a small group of volunteers began working on the project, they realized the locomotive — despite being stored outside for de- cades — was still in good shape. Most notably, it was only miss- ing a few small pieces. That's when Ingold realized that it might be possible to make the locomotive run again. Over the last few years, Ingold and his crew have taken everything apart, cleaned it up, and made repairs when necessary. They are also working with a contractor to repair the boiler (something that has to be done by certified professionals with what is called an "R Stamp"). Ingold said a number of old-timers claimed that there were issues with the locomotive that would permanently render it inopera- ble. But so far, those have just been old rumors, and there's noth- ing stopping them from completing a full restoration. Having been involved with numerous steam locomotive resto- rations over the years, Ingold said such projects can take years, so he's not providing a specific timeline for when people will see the locomotive run. However, he's confident it will happen with- in the next few years. Currently, there is a short stretch of track at the museum for the engine to be moved on, and if successful, (406) 224-8450 YellowstoneTipis.com 50 Jardine Road Gardiner, Montana BEST RUSTIC HOTEL IN MONTANA BEST GLAMPING IN MONTANA YELLOWSTONE TIPIS ACCEPTING 2026 RESERVATIONS NOW! Removing the crank COURTESY OF LARRY INGOLD

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