Steam & Excursion > A Rarely Seen Steam Locomotive Found In Common Carrier Service!

While the Climax geared locomotive was one of the 3 most popular geared steam locomotives built in the U.S., they rarely were found in common carrier service, and even more rarely found in regularly scheduled passenger service.  Here is one of the few exceptions to that rule.

The San Joaquin & Eastern was the common carrier railroad built in 1912 between El Prado, California and Big Creek for the Big Creek Hydroelectric Project.  The first half of the railroad between El Prado and Auberry was level enough that typical rod-type locomotives could be used on that section.  However the grades from Auberry to Big Creek were so steep and the curves so many and so tight that only geared power could be run on this section of the railroad.

The SJ&E had a fleet of both Shays and Climax locomotives that were assigned to the upper part of the SJ&E.  At the very end of operations in March, 1933, noted Southern California railfan, Gerald Best visited the SJ&E shops at Auberry to capture on film one last time the SJ&E motive power.  He caught SJ&E's big 3-truck Climax #108 by the shops in this fine view.

The SJ&E rolling stock including their locomotives were sold at auction.  #108 and the other Climax locomotives were sold and shipped to The Philippines, never to be seen again.

Martin



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 06/22/21 11:53 by LoggerHogger.

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Another interesting story
About a locomotive
Built in Corry!

They hauled passengers behind it!

Out