[2] The design of the Oregon portage locomotives (three were ordered at the time[4]) used a return flue boiler (with the stack projecting up from the cab roof), an outside frame, and four coupled driving wheels.

Weighing only 8 short tons (7.3 t; 7.1 long tons) and only 14 ft 6 in (4.42 m) long, the Oregon Pony arrived in Oregon in 1862[3] on the steamer Pacific, and made its initial run on May 10, 1862, with engineer Theodore A. Goffe at the throttle, who had supervised her construction and assembly.

Shortly after the Oregon Pony was put into service, canopies were added to protect the passengers and their goods from the smoke emitted down as the locomotive operated.

In 1866, OSN sold the locomotive (for $2,000) to the Steam Paddy Company and it was shipped out of Portland on the Steamship Montana on October 18, 1866.

Col. Henry Dosch of Portland worked as a timekeeper for Hewes in San Francisco and discovered the “Oregon Pony” in use there.

[3] This restoration replaced the 1904 wooden timber frame and canopy, and was thorough and complete, but did not result in an operating artifact.

[1] In February 2016, Trains Magazine reported that the Union Pacific Railroad donated $10,000 for shelter restoration for the Oregon Pony.