Steam & Excursion > Even The Big Steam Railroads Had Small Jobs To Do At Times!

Not all mainline steam on the major railroads was mile long freights or speeding passenger varnish.  There were the endless work trains that had to be run to keep the line in order. We see just such a work train here.

The date is 1939 and AT&SF 2-8-0 #999 has been given a short work train of hoppers as her consist as she passes through Emeryville, California.  In the background are a string of Key System cars to round out the scene.

While this is light duty for #999 and her crew it was necessary to the operations of the AT&SF.

Martin



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/19/18 03:06 by LoggerHogger.

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Those look like SP-lettered hoppers, which seems odd for a Santa Fe work train. 

Santa Fe wasn't widely known as a builder of locomotives, but the ten members of the 990-class 2-8-0's were built in the company's the Topeka Shops in 1900-01.   In 1939, the 999 was on its last legs - it was cut up at Calwa (Fresno, CA) that December. 

Espee fans, for whatever reason, love to point out that Santa Fe's "Oakland" station at 40th and San Pablo was actually in Emeryville.  The train, about a block west of the station and facing eastbound toward Richmond, is also technically in Emeryville, but only just.  Oakland begins at the Hollis St. grade crossing visible in the background.  The Key units are standing outside that company's Emeryville Shops, which straddled the city limits.

They look to be SP ballast hoppers. 

Which track is the main?

Posted from Android

What is that large protrusion on the tender deck, just forward of the headlight?

Looks like the cover to the cistern was left open.  My wife sometimes complains about the same condition being prevalent in our bathroom.
Someone left the lid up.

timz Wrote:
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> Which track is the main?
>
> Posted from Android

As Evan stated the main track ended at the 40th and San Pablo passenger station; the rest of the tracks were a yard that ultimately connected with the SP and later the Oakland Terminal.  Evan gets a star for using "its" as the possessive and not the contraction for same, a rare (and correct) sight on these pages.  Anyway the train pictured is probably a 5th or 6th Oakland Local.

Hose reeler, used on many tenders. wag216

Outstanding photo!

wmfa2303 Wrote:
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> Looks like the cover to the cistern was left
> open.  My wife sometimes complains about the same
> condition being prevalent in our bathroom.
> Someone left the lid up.

Good one!

Key Route Ken would have loved this picture.
 

pennsy3750 Wrote:

> What is that large protrusion on the tender deck,
> just forward of the headlight?

As Art said, it's a hose reel.  A few tenders behind preserved Santa Fe steam locomotives still have them, such as:

2-8-0 #762 in Chanute, KS: https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,3122393,3122413#3122413
2-8-0 #811 in Atchison, KS: https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,3543228,3543317#3543317
2-6-2 #1079 in Coffeyville, KS: https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,3122393,3122409#3122409

As I understand it, the 1079 never actually ran in service with that particular tender, but was paired with it when pulled from the deadline for donation to Coffeyville.

Too often those of us who model look over the work trains, too. They provide lots of room for unique and creative builds. Thanks, Martin.

Posted from Android

I like the side door caboose at the end of the train also.