Steam & Excursion > Photobomb - NWP - SP Style - L.A. General Shops 1949!

The modern term "Photobomb" refers to a picture taken of a main subject but something appears in the background that steals our attention away. That term fits perfectly this image taken by Stan Kistler.

Stan was at the L.A. General shops of the Southern Pacific in February 1949 and he came across SP #4411 being readied for another run. He set up his camera and captured the scene beautifully as Stan is known to do.

When we see the image now though, we see that lurking just behind #4411 is North Western Pacific 4-4-0 #23! #23 was the last 4-4-0 to operate on the NWP and she had pulled several railfan trips over the past several years. Unfortunately, #23 was not at the General Shops to receive any servicing. As her empty headlight and number boards attest, she is on her way to the scrap yard.

Still, for this one last time, #23 manages to steal our attention from those live engines around her. We will miss her.

Martin



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/25/13 04:26 by LoggerHogger.

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#23 looks like a toy next to 4411.

AL Bayer



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/25/13 05:20 by althewelder.

althewelder Wrote:
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> #23 looks like a toy next to 4411.

A beautiful example of evolution.

Cheers,
Jacj

Photobomb - like it!

Steve Mitchell
http://www.yardgoatimages.com

Those single headlight Daylight engines looked nice!

coach Wrote:
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> Those single headlight Daylight engines looked
> nice!


That would be a GS-2 I believe. GS-4 had the doubles.

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

The pair of roller bearing equipped GS5s also had dual headlights.

Harlock Wrote:
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> coach Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Those single headlight Daylight engines looked
> > nice!
>
>
> That would be a GS-2 I believe. GS-4 had the
> doubles.

I don't have Church's book handy, but if memory serves, the GS-1's and GS-2's were non-streamlined. The #4411 would therefore be a GS-3.

Brian

Nope, my bad. Only the GS-1's were non-streamlined. #4410-#4415 were GS-2's.

Brian

Brian, you're right about the GS-1's but this is definitely a GS-2.

Scott

I beleive one of the "headlights" was a Mars light.

Every few years some wise guy will propose swapping the smokebox doors of 4449 and 4460 so we can have an "operating GS-3" (the all-weather cab and other details notwithstanding) for a season. The idea always goes over like a lead balloon.

As well it should.

Martin

I think Mr. Kistler deliberately framed a photo of 4411 AND NWP #23, and the latter is not a background object at all but rather one of the foreground subjects. No bomb, just good photography.

Best regards,

Rob L.

Has the 4411 been painted black at this point but retained its streamlined skirting? Was that common for a former daylight painted black to retain its skirting?

-Alex

Answer to your first question is: Yes. Answer to your second question is: Not to my knowledge. When the engines went in for repair or maintenance (at this point in their careers) then the engine was USUALLY painted black with the skirts removed for easier maintenance. Of course there are exceptions to every rule.

JDE



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/28/13 20:39 by Steamjocky.