Skookum #7

[Subdeacon Joe]

 

[Red Gauntlet , SASS 60619]

"Skookum" is a Chinook word meaning 'big', 'strong', especially brave and good, etc; very positive connotation. It was a widely used slang term in the Pacific NW for a long time, and I heard it used often by older generations when I was a kid.

 

Somehow it died out. Haven't heard it for many years, and even then last from very old folks.

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

Skookum was a common term when I was a little kid in the Yakima Valley.  It also meant something was very good like "That steak was way skookum."

[Sedalia Dave]

“Lazarus Locomotive”, aka Skookum No. 7.

 

[Sedalia Dave]

Clover Valley #4, One Lucky Steam Locomotive

 

 

[Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967]

I have memories of Niles Canyon....

 

When I was a little kid in the Bay Area, we would have family outings to a "swimming hole" on Alameda Creek, which runs through the canyon.

 

While living in San Francisco, I worked in Fremont some 40+ years ago, at the southern end of the canyon.  Often a work buddy and I would head to a place appropriately called "The Spot" in the canyon - a pretty decent burger and beer place.  I do remember the railway, but honestly don't recall having ever seen a steam train chugging along.

 

Big kudos to the good folk at the Niles Canyon Railway for making this happen!