Support

How it works: Whenever you use your Fred Meyer rewards card, you will be helping organizations like the Wester Steam Fiends earn donations from Fred Meyer. Fred Meyer customers can link their rewards card to an organization of their choice by going to fredmeyer.com and following the enroll instructions provided. Once your card is linked, you can continue to shop and use your card as you do while still earning your points, rebates, and fuel points while helping out a non-profit organization.

Don't have a Fred Meyers rewards card? Go to your local Fred Meyer Customer Service desk and they can sign you up.

How it works: Visits amazonsmile.com to sign in. Select "Western Steam Fiends Association" to start giving donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. Amazon Smile will remember you selection and will result in a 0.5 donation to the Western Steam Fiends. As you shop, item description will include "Eligible for Amazon Smile donation."

How it works: Go to paypal.com and select an amount to wish to donate to the Western Steam Fiends Bucyrus-Erie Steam Crane. Since we are a 501(c)3 organization, there are no deductions and no fees for the transaction. After you place your donation, you will receive an "Thank you" email from our organization. You must be signed into PayPal to make a donation.

About the Bucyrus-Erie Steam Crane: The Bucyrus-Erie Steam Crane is located on the grounds of Powerland Heritage Park in Brooks, Oregon. The crane is owned by the Western Steam Fiends Association, Incorporated since September 2000. This historic steam crane was constructed on September 11, 1928. The crane was delivered to the Southern Pacific at Ogden, Utah. The crane is believed to have been bought specifically for the use by the Shasta Division in the Dunsmuir, California area. Its larger capacity and longer boom were helpful in pulling wreckage from the Sacramento River and many deep canyons in the area. It is known to have been stationed in Dunsmuir in 1939. In that year, it was tipped on its side while attempting to re-rail a steam locomotive at the Cantera Loop. The locomotive's engineer refused to drain the water from the locomotive to lighten it, and during the lift, soft ground failed under the outriggers of the crane, causing it to fall on its side. It had to be dismantled and hauled out of the canyon to be repaired and rebuilt. Railroad Crane 7005 undoubtedly saw much action around the Cantera Loop, which remains a trouble spot to this day. In 1949, 7005's boiler was converted from coal to oil firing, allowing much easier operation overall.

The Bucyrus-Erie Steam Crane is normally in operation during the two weekends of the Great Oregon Steam-up, which is held annually the last full weekend of July and the first full weekend of August. The crane is operated by a group of steam enthusiast who spend hours repairing, fixing, and maintaining the machine. Today, the Western Steam Fiends Association, Incorporated is making a request for funds to re-tube this historic steam crane boiler.

We have created a PayPal Giving Fund with the hope that we can reach a world-wide audience. Our small association has come together to rescue this steam crane from the scrap yard, which we are passionate about restoring. The project is an inspiration from an association to work together to see this historic boiler in operation again!

Whether you are able to offer a gift of $5 or $5,000, or more, together we can complete the re-tubing of the Bucyrus-Erie Steam Crane within the next couple of years and realize the dreams of so many friends.

The first step of this process is to raise the necessary funds needed to re-tube the Bucyrus-Erie Steam Crane. Then the remaining work of removing the old tubes, preparing the tube sheet for the new tubes, and installing the new boiler tubes. All requiring hours of trained volunteers and contracted machinists to help make parts for the crane boiler. Upon the completion of this project, the community and the Western Steam Fiends Association, Incorporated can enjoy the Steam Crane for many years to come! This project also shows a great source of community pride. Visitors near and far will always be welcome!

How it works: By including the Western Steam Fiends Association Inc. in your estate planning, you can help insure the completion and continued operation of the museum by using the following text:

I herby bequeath to the Western Steam Fiends Association Inc. at 3995 Brooklake Rd. NE, Brooks, OR 97303, 501(c)3 a tax-exempt organization with IRS tax identification number 93-1194599, (enter percentage of dollar amount here) to be used for (enter program of choice here) or as determined by the board of directors.

How it works: Want to become a sponsor of the Western Steam Fiends? Download and fill out our Sponsorship Information Packet below and return to Laurie Boyce at mrascal06@gmail.com.