Prescott and Eastern Railroad

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Prescott & Eastern Railroad
Locale Central Arizona
Dates of operation 1897–1911
Track gauge ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge)
Headquarters Prescott, Arizona

The Prescott & Eastern Railroad (P&E) was an Arizona paper railroad and was operated by, and a non-operating subsidiary of, the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway (SFP&P). The 26.4 mile (42.5 km) common carrier railroad was built to serve the mines in the region. The railroad built from a connection with the SFP&P at Entro and extended south to Poland Junction and terminated at Mayer. At Poland Junction and Mayer the P&E connected with the Bradshaw Mountain Railroad, also a non-operating subsidiary of the SFP&P. After various mergers the P&E was merged into the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (AAR reporting marks ATSF). The line was later abandoned by the Santa Fe Railway.

Contents

[edit] History

The railroad was incorporated on September 14, 1897. It commenced grading from the SFP&P connection at Entro (northeast of Prescott) on March 10, 1898. On September 30, 1898 the 26.4 mile (42.5 km) line was completed.

On December 30, 1911, the P&E was merged into the California, Arizona and Santa Fe Railway, a non-operating subsidiary (paper railroad) of the Santa Fe Railway.

[edit] Motive Power

Although the P&E was operated by the SFP&P, the P&E did have two locomotives.

P&E #11 (builder number 3073) and #12 (builder number 3072) were Brooks Locomotive Works 4-6-0 (also known as a Chesapeake or Ten-wheeler, UIC classfication 2'C) steam locomotives with 19×24 inch cylinders and 56 inch (142 cm) drivers with a weight of 106,800 pounds (48,490 kg) and 22,270 pounds (10,110 kg) of effort. Both were built in November 1898.

P&E #11 and #12 were later SFP&P #11 and #12, then later ATSF #2431 and 2432. Both locomotives were later scrapped; #11 in October, 1927 and #12 in April, 1922.

[edit] Operating railroads

  • 1897-1912 by the Santa Fe, Prescott & Phoenix Railway
  • 1912- by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway

[edit] Route

The line was eventually abandoned by the ATSF.

  • Entro - connection with SFP&P mainline
  • Yaeger
  • Dewey
  • Humboldt
  • Poland Junction - connection with Bradshaw Mountain Railroad's Poland Branch
  • Arizona City
  • Mayer - connection with Bradshaw Mountain Railroad's line to Crown King

[edit] References

  • Robertson, Donald B. (1986). Encyclopedia of Western Railroad History: The Desert States: Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah. Caldwell, Idaho: The Caxton Printers, 97. ISBN 0-87004-305-6. 
  • Walker, Mike (1995). Steam Powered Video's Comprehensive Railroad Atlas of North America - Arizona & New Mexico. Kent, United Kingdom: Steam Powered Publishing, 15. ISBN 1-874745-04-8.