Sierra Railway 28
| Sierra Railway 28 | |
|---|---|
|
28 at Railtown | |
| Type and origin | |
| Power type | Steam |
| Builder | Baldwin Locomotive Works |
| Serial number | 55254 |
| Model | January 1922 |
| Specifications | |
| Configuration | 2-8-0 |
| UIC classification | 1′D n2G |
| Driver diameter | 48 in (1,219 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 50.17 ft (15 m) |
| Weight on drivers | 127,600 lb (57.9 tonnes) |
| Locomotive weight | 142,000 lb (64.4 tonnes) |
| Fuel type | Oil |
| Fuel capacity | 2,000 US gallons (7,600 litres; 1,700 imperial gallons) |
| Water capacity | 4,000 US gal (15,000 l; 3,300 imp gal) |
| Boiler pressure | 180 psi (1.24 MPa) |
| Cylinders | Two, outside |
| Cylinder size | 19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm) |
| Valve gear | Walschaerts |
| Valve type | Piston |
| Performance figures | |
| Tractive effort | 30,750 lbf (136.8 kN) |
| Factor of adhesion | 4.26 |
| Career | |
| Operator(s) | Sierra Railroad |
| Locale | Central California |
| First run | 7 March 1922 |
| Current owner | Railtown 1897 State Historic Park |
| Disposition | Restoration |
History
2-8-0 Consolidation number 28 was built in January 1922 for the Sierra Railroad by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was built in response to the increase of freight traffic on the Sierra with the construction of the Don Pedro and O'Shaughnessy Dams requiring carloads of rock and cement.[1] After the dam projects were finished, the 28 was assigned to freight traffic on the Sierra's lower division between Oakdale and Jamestown, California.[2]
In the mid 30's, the 28 was used in the upgrade of the O'Shaughnessy Dam and frequently ran on the Hetch Hetchy Railroad, which was operated by the Sierra Railway under contract from the city of San Francisco. The 28 also ran mixed freights between Oakdale and Tuolumne until 31 August 1938 when passenger service on the Sierra Railway was discontinued.[1]
By the 1940s, the 28 was one of only six remaining locomotives on the Sierra's roster and continued to handle freight and railfan excursions until 1955 when the Sierra dieselized. However, the Sierra kept the 28 along with 4-6-0 number 3, 2-8-0 number 18, 2-8-2 number 34 and 2-8-2 number 36 for occasional railfan trips and movie work. The railfan excursions were ended in October 1963 after the 28 derailed in the Jamestown yard.[1]
The 28 also made a few brief cameo appearances in several movies and TV show during this time including, Overland Trail, Nichols, Little House on the Prairie, Bound for Glory and The World's Greatest Lover.[1]
In 1971, the Sierra Railway opened its Jamestown shops and yards to the public in the form of Railtown 1897. The 28 quickly became the workhorse of this new tourist operation. In 1979, Crocker Industries, which owned the Sierra Railroad and Railtown 1897 decided to sell Railtown 1897 and all of its assets, including the 28, to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, which reorganized Railtown 1897 as Railtown 1897 State Historic Park.[1]
After the State of California took over Railtown's operations, 28 continued to serve as its locomotive, operating seasonally. In February 2009, the 28 was taken out of service after her crown sheet and other parts of her firebox were found to be too thin for legal operation. 28 sat stored in public view in the Jamestown roundhouse awaiting funds until August 2013 when it was torn down for repairs to its firebox along with new flues and Staybolts.
See also
Sierra No. 3, a 4-6-0 also owned by Railtown 1897
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Sierra No. 28 Repair Project: A History of the No. 28 | Railtown 1897 State Historic Park". railtown1897.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
- ↑ "Legacy - The History of Sierra Railway #28 - YouTube". youtube.com. Retrieved 2014-01-26.