Steam & Excursion > Steam loco on the move

John Shaw emailed me that last Monday he happened to see a small steam locomotive on a truck being moved in NE Calif. He later emailed me that Martin Hansen had filled him in that it was the former Sacramento Valley & Eastern #2, a 2-6-2T. Apparently, the loco is headed to Redding, CA.
This engine sat for years in the Davidson yard in Stockton, CA. I took some photos of her over a fence back in 1970, before she was moved. Keeping her company in the same lot in Stockton were the former Yosemite Lbr. Co. 3T Shay 4 & a Vulcan 0-6-0 that once worked for the State Belt in SF. The latter engine was acquired by GGRM & they have done considerable work to her. The Shay saw very limited operation in Utah in the mid 70's on the Heeber Creeper. She now is a planned attraction at a new logging museum on Hwy 4 near Arnold, CA.
My notes on the 2-6-2T show her as Baldwin 32651, built in 1908 with 17" by 24" cylinders, 44" drivers & a t.e. of 22,800 lbs.
This info from J. David Conrad's Directory.

Tom

Here is a Bert Ward photo of the 2-6-2T #2 in San Leandro, CA on 4-22-44 lettered for GEXCo.
This is the SV&E #2 that was returned last week to Redding, CA.

Martin

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Nitehostler Wrote:
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> John Shaw emailed me that last Monday he happened
> to see a small steam locomotive on a truck being
> moved in NE Calif. He later emailed me that
> Martin Hansen had filled him in that it was the
> former Sacramento Valley & Eastern #2, a 2-6-2T.
> Apparently, the loco is headed to Redding, CA.

Are you guys sure about this? John saw the locomotive heading south on CA 139 between Adin and Susanville. If the SV&E tank engine is going to Redding, that's sure an odd route.

- gb -

They were trying to beat the snow.

Martin

Steaming Home

No. 2 steam engine returns to the north state

By Christy Lochrie, Record Searchlight
March 26, 2006

Some homecomings take longer than others. For the No. 2, a trip home to the north state took 60 years, included an 1,100-mile piggyback ride, an unplanned weekend in Reno, Nev., a crane lift and finally a touchdown in a Mountain Gate RV park.

"Yeah! Yeah! If I could dance, I'd dance," said Jim Arbuckle, a former president of the Shasta Cascade Rail Preservation Society, when the 68-ton locomotive was finally set on tracks at Fawndale Oaks RV Park in Mountain Gate.

Arbuckle, who worked nine years with the Shasta Cascade Preservation Society to see the No. 2 roll into the north state, braved two days of see-your-breath cold and drizzly weather to greet the train's arrival at its temporary home.

Just over the hill, brimming Shasta Lake, is the No. 2's original home, Bully Hill Mine, where the engine hauled copper ore along 15 miles of the Sacramento Valley & Eastern Railway tracks.

"If you're on Shasta Lake, it's right about where Squaw Creek flows into the Pitt River arm of the Lake," said Dottie Smith, Shasta College historian.

Copper mining was a mainstay to the turn-of-the century economy in Shasta County, accounting for $3.4 million of the $4.9 million made in mining (including gold and silver) in 1904, according to a 1905 article in The Free Press, a Redding newspaper.

And the Bully Hill Mine was among the top three copper mines in Shasta County, employing some 300 to 400 men, Smith said. Like other mines in the region, its name -- and minerals mined -- changed with its owners.

"There would be a boom town and it would be here today and gone tomorrow," Smith said.

Chuck Hornbeck compiled a history of the No. 2 for the Shasta Cascade Rail Preservation Society. In 1907 the Sacramento Valley & Eastern Railroad built a standard-gauge railroad to work the Bully Hill Mine. That's when they ordered the No. 2, a Baldwin Locomotive Works steam locomotive, which was delivered in 1908.

The No. 2's use waxed and waned over the years as Federal officials, concerned with air pollution from copper smelting, regulated the industry. The Depression later affected its use by rocking the economy.

By 1937, the No. 2 was stilled in an engine house. Later it was restored by a Stockton scrap dealer. By the 1970s, it became a museum relic at the Heber Valley Railroad Museum in Utah. And in 1994 the No. 2 headed to the Nevada State Railroad Museum. The society bought the oil-burning locomotive in 2002 for $23,500, which it raised with a McConnell Foundation grant of $15,000 and through various other fundraisers. But without transportation funds -- quotes came in at $13,500 -- the engine stayed in the Nevada desert.

Shannon and Cary Park own the 42-acre RV park, fronted by Interstate 5. The railroad fans proposed their park as a temporary housing site, until the society finds its own set of tracks. But they weren't expecting the nearly 100-year-old train this early.

About a month ago the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City, Nev., planned a locomotive move with a 60-tire flatbed truck. The society piggybacked on that trek, snagging an early ride for the No. 2 at a $3,000 fare reduction. The earlier-than-planned trip also meant the rail buffs had to brave soggy weather to lay down a set of tracks.

Snow delayed the journey, stalling the No. 2 in Reno. But by Monday, the journey was on and the truck, locomotive and flashing-light escort, were caravaning at 40 mph along back-roads into Redding.

Once in Redding, the locomotive's fans grew, following behind like the rail cars that the No. 2 likely pulled.

Bill Harter was among those waiting for the locomotive's arrival at the RV park. The 89-year-old Redding man grew up in Washington, where he remembers steam engine trains hauling cars of felled logs.

"Those engines could really play a tune," Harter said, his green felt hat tipped to the side.

Harter, also a Shasta Dam builder, grinned at the sight of the locomotive. He was among dozens of mostly old-timers gathered in the drizzling chill to watch the No. 2 touch tracks again in the north state.

For a few hours in the
mushy weather, chains clanked against steel as men, clad in hard hats and muddy work boots, muscled and edged the train in place.

Bragg Crane Service in Anderson donated a crane, charging the society its costs of $3,000, rather than the going rate of $10,000. By midmorning, the crane hoisted the train and it finally settled onto the north state tracks in the RV park.

It will stay there until the society finds a home for a railroad park, which has no timetable. The engine, meanwhile, will take some 10 years and $600,00 to completely restore, Shuman estimates. He hopes to fund the restoration with grants and donations.

"This is my dream come true," Arbuckle repeated again and again.

Thanks to all, especially ShastaLake, who were able to add to this bit of news.

Tom

I too would like to thank the folks that shed light on this move. A co-worker of mine called me a week or so ago to tell me he'd spotted a 2-6-2 tank engine on the move north between Carson City and Reno, NV. He is a railfan of sorts and will be interested in hearing the details as listed here.

Jimmy B

Here is a shot of #2 on her way from Nevada to California last week.

Martin

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Here she is loaded while the transport rig fuels up.

Martin

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Seeing a Steam Lokie move by truck does not happen every day. Here is what startled many drivers last week.

Martin

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Daaaaaaang, that sure woulda freaked me out !!! LOL :)