Hillyard in Spokane in Spokane County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

1950 Automotive Switcher Davenport 3239

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 2, 2025

1. 1950 Automotive Switcher Davenport 3239 Marker

Inscription.
A switcher is a small railroad locomotive used to assemble trains ready for a road locomotive to take over, disassemble a train that has been brought in and generally move railroad cars around a process usually known as switching in the United States. Switchers may also make short transfer runs.

The typical switcher is optimized for its job, being relatively low-powered but with a high starting effort for getting heavy cars rolling quickly. Switchers are geared to produce high torque but are restricted to low top speeds and have small diameter driving wheels. The switcher employed a gasoline powered inline six cylinder engine, with a manual transmission which is connected to the wheels by a chain drive.

This switcher was made by the Davenport Locomotive Works of Davenport, Iowa. It bears Builder's No. 3239, built in 1950. It was used for above ground mining and mill operations.

It has been repainted in Great Northern colors.

The switcher is 15 feet long and weighs 10,000 pounds.

The locomotive switcher was donated to the Spokane Fire Station Museum dba Fire and Rail Museum in 1991 from Atlas Mine & Mill Supply.

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It was maintained, operated and under the care and ownership of the Fire and Rail Museum from 1991 to 2015. On October 1, 2015, ownership was transferred to the Hillyard Heritage Museum Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1950.

Location. 47° 42.26′ N, 117° 21.854′ W. Marker is in Spokane, Washington, in Spokane County. It is in Hillyard. It is on East Queen Avenue, on the left when traveling east. This marker is on the grounds of the Hillyard Heritage Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3111 E Queen Avenue, Spokane WA 99217, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Not So Little Train That Could...And Did (a few steps from this marker); Hillyard Heritage Museum (a few steps

1950 Automotive Switcher Davenport 3239 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 2, 2025

2. 1950 Automotive Switcher Davenport 3239

from this marker); Maintenance of Way (MOW) Bunk Car Union Pacific 9060161 (within shouting distance of this marker); 1937 Caboose Great Northern X176 / Burlington Northern 11470 (within shouting distance of this marker); 1948 Box Car Great Northern 11330 / Burlington Nothern 951310 (within shouting distance of this marker); James J Hill - "The Empire Builder" (within shouting distance of this marker); 1942 American Navy Pullman Passendger Car Union Pacific 906065 (within shouting distance of this marker); Staff Sgt. Jesse Ray Drowley (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spokane.

1950 Automotive Switcher Davenport 3239 and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 2, 2025

3. 1950 Automotive Switcher Davenport 3239 and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. This page has been viewed 76 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 1, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.