Steam Locomotives |
® | Southern Pacific |
In April of 1925 the Southern Pacific took delivery of an unusual locomotive built by Alco (Schenectady). The locomotive was a three-cylinder 4-10-2, #5000! Purchased specifically for fast freight and passenger service between Roseville CA and Sparks NV, the SP was inpressed enough to order a total of 49 of these "haulers". Named the "Southern Pacific" type, these were impressive in their glossy black boilers, graphite smokeboxes and white-rimmed wheels. All 49 were assigned the the Pacific Coast Line. They could pull anything tied onto their tails, but they were pretty tough on the track they rode. Amazingly, the "5000"s, were eventually found on every division, except the Sacramento division the were bought for. The "5000"s would up in helper service and all were retired in the early 1950s. Only #5021 is preserved, on display at the Los Angeles Couny Fairgrounds.
Described as "good steamers", all the SPs wound up with 16,000-gallon six-axle Vandy tenders. Additional starting power was provided by a C-2 trailing truck booster. The Division Point and Boo-Rim will offer this LIMITED EDITION project in different numbers - with only 105 pieces to be produced!
As usual, we are indebted to those folks who publish the information and photos we need. We urge you to buy their books and photos. |
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