Steam & Excursion > SP Steam Info Needed

My great grandfather worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad in Arizona as a signal maintainer. He has long since passed but his son (my great uncle) has these three photographs of Southern Pacific steam locomotives that my great grandfather gave him. My great uncle was hoping I could find some information about these photos. Being a modern railroad guy, I have about as much knowledge as a common person on these photos. So any information on these would be great. What kind of steam locomotives were they? Why were they used in Arizona? Any idea why he would have taken these photographs? Any kind of information is welcome as long as its constructive.

Thanks for any or all help you can give me!

Jake Miille
Chico, CA
Jake Miille Photography

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All three photos are of SP 2-8-0 "Consolidation" locomotives. Eventually Southern Pacific owned 544 of these 2-8-0s and used them everywhere on their system,including Arizona. I'd guess your great grandfather took the first two photos because he knew the people in the locomotive cabs. Perhaps he knew the man on the boiler in the third photo.

As for locomotive history...
SP2554 built by Baldwin in March 1907, vacated from he roster 9/9/1957 at Fresno. Sold for scrap 3/27/59 to Luria Bros. Los Angeles

SP2555 built by Baldwin in March 1907. Leased to the SP de Mexico 4/4/1951. Sold to FdelP #619 on 12/12/1951. Disposition unknown.

SP2782 built by Baldwin in April 1905. Vacated from roster 9/2/54 at Roseville. Sold for scrap 1/13/1955 to Luria Bros, Los Angeles



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/13/13 07:07 by TonyJ.

Very interesting. Thank you for that info.

Jake Miille
Chico, CA
Jake Miille Photography