Steam & Excursion > From Any Angle This Was One Impressive Steam Locomotive!

While the Southern Pacific may be famous for their fleet of unique Cab-Forward locomotives, it was their small fleet of 12 cab-in-the-rear articulated engines that are called the most stunning engines on their roster.

The famous AC-9 Class articulated beasts that roamed first in SP's Texas region and later on the Modoc Line were simply striking for their size and modest amount of streamlining. 

The beauty of these huge engines is well demonstrated in this fine photo taken by L.L. Bonney on May 8, 1954 of SP #3809 at Wendell, California.  The engine is freshly painted and polished for her role as the only AC-9 ever selected to power a Railfan excursion train.

The shear size of the engine was underscored by the warning painted on the front Cylinders of each AC-9 on the Modoc which read; "Warning-This Engine Excessive Width".

What a beauty.


Martin



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 03/27/15 13:28 by LoggerHogger.

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Proving once more--Baldwin and American built locomotives. Lima built time-pieces!

Jim Leonard
Cheyenne, WY 

Would they have been any wider than a cab forward? Curious about the warning plaque. Let me guess Martin, you have one hanging on your wall?

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Was there a Wendell, NV?  Or is this Wendel, CA?  I don't recall a railroad embankment that high in Wendel, CA.

Beautiful machine!!!

Stan

The solarium coupled behind the locomotive isn't bad either!

Gordon

A great photo, Martin.  To have seen one of those locomotives in action.....Wow.  Thanks for posting.

Sorry, Martin, IMO, the front end ruins it. Just my opinion, not that it matters.

Beautiful.
TAH

sagehen Wrote:

> Was there a Wendell, NV?  Or is this Wendel, CA?
>  I don't recall a railroad embankment that high
> in Wendel, CA.

My guess is this is the photo stop at Sutcliffe, NV.  Compare the photo Vic DuBrutz took at that stop - the angle is different, but the light and dark ballast patches seem to line up, and the road, embankment, maintenance of way boxcar, and telegraph pole are in the right places.

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the AC-9 is one of my favorite SP steam locomotives.  not overly well known with SP railfans,  is one of the reasons i really enjoy it like Rio grande standard guage large steam.  today only hardcore steam enthusiasts know about them.  thanks for sharing this unique piece of SP history.  shame SP scrapped most of their large simple articluateds.  including all 12 ac-9's

Will Hemb
Flower Mound, TX



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 03/28/15 13:44 by texaswestern70mac.

Just my opinion.......it is the finest looking locomotive of all time, any continent!

Ed

Auburn_Ed Wrote:
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> Just my opinion.......it is the finest looking
> locomotive of all time, any continent!
>
> Ed

Don't hold back, Ed.  Tell us what you Really Mean!  :-)

I'm strongly with ya - It IS the best of SP's power, for sure.

-LD

Some, or all, of the AC9s received tenders from ex-, ex-UP, ex-C&O 2-8-8-2s after World War II.  What were the reasons for this.  In before-and-after photos that I have seen, it doesn't appear that there would have been a great difference in coal and water capacities. 

lynnpowell Wrote:
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> Some, or all, of the AC9s received tenders from
> ex-, ex-UP, ex-C&O 2-8-8-2s after World War II. 
> What were the reasons for this.  In
> before-and-after photos that I have seen, it
> doesn't appear that there would have been a great
> difference in coal and water capacities. 

Lynn, back in May, 2007, I asked about the tenders that the SP mated to the AC-9's, when they were converted to oil burners.  Read through the following thread to see John Sweetser's replies to my query.

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?10,1401282,1401622#msg-1401622

Bob Callahan
Monticello, IN