Central Pacific 173
Encyclopedia
The Central Pacific Railroad
number 173 was a 4-4-0
steam locomotive that was an example of a modern steam locomotive of the time. It was the prototype used for the Central Pacific's Sacramento Shops when the railroad began constructing locomotives. The engine was successful, and more engines were subsequently built to 173's design.
who had it designated "H"(the railroad had its engines lettered rather than numbered), and later became Central Pacific's #173, the "Sonoma." A train wreck involving CP's 173 and 177 occurred at Alameda Junction in 1870, and both engines were brought to the railroad's new shops in Sacramento two years later. Here, master mechanic Andrew Stevens was given the task of rebuilding the 173. Though much damage was sustained from the wreck, Stevens found the engine's boiler and parts of the chassis to be reusable, and had decided to use the 173 as a test bed for the railroad's entry into the locomotive manufacturing business. The rebuilt 173, finished in November of 1872, was well received by the railroad, and soon the shops produced twelve engines based on its design. Three of these were sold to other roads, among which was Virginia and Truckee's number 18, the "Dayton,"
which is the only preserved example of Steven's work.
In 1950, Walt Disney
began to build the Carolwood Pacific Railroad, a miniature railroad in his backyard. Walt saw a photo of 173 and decided to build a model of it for his railroad. Southern Pacific draftsman David L Joslyn located the specifications of 173 in a warehouse of SP's old records, and recreated the 173's drawings scaled down to two inches to one foot. This engine operated for a few years in Walt's backyard railroad, and when it was shut down, the 173 model was displayed in Disneyland's Main Street station for nearly fifty years, before moving to a new museum dedicated to Disney's legacy.
Central Pacific Railroad
The Central Pacific Railroad is the former name of the railroad network built between California and Utah, USA that formed part of the "First Transcontinental Railroad" in North America. It is now part of the Union Pacific Railroad. Many 19th century national proposals to build a transcontinental...
number 173 was a 4-4-0
4-4-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-4-0 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and no trailing wheels...
steam locomotive that was an example of a modern steam locomotive of the time. It was the prototype used for the Central Pacific's Sacramento Shops when the railroad began constructing locomotives. The engine was successful, and more engines were subsequently built to 173's design.
History
While the Central Pacific's records had mistakenly listed number 173 as a CP built engine, the engine was in fact built in 1863 by Norris for the Western Pacific RailroadWestern Pacific Railroad (1862–1870)
The Western Pacific Railroad was formed in December, 1862, by a group led by Timothy Dame and including Charles McLaughlin and Peter Donahue, all associated with the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad, to build a railroad from San Jose north to Vallejo's Mills , east through Niles Canyon, north to...
who had it designated "H"(the railroad had its engines lettered rather than numbered), and later became Central Pacific's #173, the "Sonoma." A train wreck involving CP's 173 and 177 occurred at Alameda Junction in 1870, and both engines were brought to the railroad's new shops in Sacramento two years later. Here, master mechanic Andrew Stevens was given the task of rebuilding the 173. Though much damage was sustained from the wreck, Stevens found the engine's boiler and parts of the chassis to be reusable, and had decided to use the 173 as a test bed for the railroad's entry into the locomotive manufacturing business. The rebuilt 173, finished in November of 1872, was well received by the railroad, and soon the shops produced twelve engines based on its design. Three of these were sold to other roads, among which was Virginia and Truckee's number 18, the "Dayton,"
Virginia and Truckee RR. Engines No. 18, The Dayton; and No. 22, The Inyo
The Virginia and Truckee Railroad Engines No. 18, The Dayton; and No. 22, The Inyo are two historic standard gauge steam locomotives. The Inyo is on display at the Nevada State Railroad Museum and the Dayton is on display in Virginia City, Nevada...
which is the only preserved example of Steven's work.
Carolwood Pacific 173
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
began to build the Carolwood Pacific Railroad, a miniature railroad in his backyard. Walt saw a photo of 173 and decided to build a model of it for his railroad. Southern Pacific draftsman David L Joslyn located the specifications of 173 in a warehouse of SP's old records, and recreated the 173's drawings scaled down to two inches to one foot. This engine operated for a few years in Walt's backyard railroad, and when it was shut down, the 173 model was displayed in Disneyland's Main Street station for nearly fifty years, before moving to a new museum dedicated to Disney's legacy.
External links
- Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
- The Carolwood Pacific Historical Society
- Walt Disney Exhibition, Walt's engine in the California State Railroad MuseumCalifornia State Railroad MuseumThe California State Railroad Museum is a museum in the state park system of California, USA, interpreting the role of the "iron horse" in connecting California to the rest of the nation. It is located in Old Sacramento at 111 I Street....
as part of a traveling exhibit of Walt's railfan legacy. - image