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Central Pacific “El Gobernador”
United States | 1884
only one produced
Image of locomotive
Henry B. Comstock, „The Iron Horse, An Illustrated History”

The only locomotive in the USA ever built with the wheel arrangement 4-10-0 was “El Gobernator” built in 1884 by the Central Pacific in their Sacramento shops. It was designed by A.J. Stephens since he wanted a locomotive that was even more powerful than the 4-8-0 class GE.

In order to still be able to run through all curves, the last driving axle was mounted with lateral play and the third and fourth were designed without wheel flanges. The cylinders were only 21 inches in diameter, but had an extremely long stroke of 36 inches to achieve the power required. The valve gear was of a design Stevens had developed himself.

Although the locomotive was presented to the public, no use was found for this size class at the time. It also turned out that the boiler did not produce enough steam for the large cylinders. It was scrapped about ten years after completion.

General
Built1884
ManufacturerSacramento
Axle config4-10-0 (Mastodon) 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Wheelbase28 ft 11 in
Rigid wheelbase19 ft 7 in
Total wheelbase52 ft 8 in
Service weight154,000 lbs
Adhesive weight130,000 lbs
Total weight217,000 lbs
Axle load26,750 lbs
Water capacity3,000 us gal
Fuel capacity10,000 lbs (coal)
Boiler
Grate area29.8 sq ft
Firebox area197 sq ft
Tube heating area1,258 sq ft
Evaporative heating area1,455 sq ft
Total heating area1,455 sq ft
Power Plant
Driver diameter57 in
Boiler pressure135 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylinderstwo, 21 x 36 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power675 hp (503 kW)
Optimal speed13 mph
Starting effort31,961 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
freight
prototype
A.J. Stevens
last changed: 03/2023
Central Pacific “Mastodon” and class GE
Southern Pacific class TW-4
United States | 1882
21 produced
Drawing of the locomotive in its original condition by Richard Ward
Drawing of the locomotive in its original condition by Richard Ward

Although the Baltimore and Ohio had procured a locomotive with a 4-8-0 wheel arrangement in 1855 with the “Centipede”, the Central Pacific “Mastodon” was one of the first successful locomotives with this wheel arrangement. Completed in 1882, it was the heaviest locomotive in the world at the time. Shortly after its roll-out, test runs were undertaken in the Sierra Nevada with the locomotive number 229, during which, as expected, it performed significantly better than the existing Americans and Ten-Wheelers. When the operation was taken over by the Southern Pacific, it was renumbered 2925.

The shape of the boiler had some special features, including a firebox with a lower ceiling in the area of the driver's cab, which was around 13 feet long. The cylinders each had four slide valves, two of which were operated by one set of valve gear each. This type of cylinders was also inherited by “El Gobernator”, the even larger locomotive with a 4-10-0 wheel arrangement.

Built by the Central Pacific workshops, number 229 was later sent to the Cooke Locomotive and Machine Works in New Jersey to set up series production. Depending on the source, 20 or 25 other machines were made, which had slightly larger cylinders. The first locomotive was later modernized and converted to oil firing, which probably also applies to the production locomotives. They were scrapped in June 1935.

VariantNo. 229GE
General
Built18821882-1883
ManufacturerCentral PacificCooke
Axle config4-8-0 (Twelve-wheeler) 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Wheelbase24 ft 11 1/2 in23 ft 10 in
Rigid wheelbase15 ft 9 in13 ft 9 in
Total wheelbase53 ft 2 in47 ft 10 in
Service weight123,000 lbs144,100 lbs
Adhesive weight106,050 lbs114,000 lbs
Total weight186,000 lbs
Water capacity2,500 us gal
Fuel capacity10,700 lbs (wood)wood
Boiler
Grate area25.8 sq ft29.7 sq ft
Firebox area182 sq ft155 sq ft
Tube heating area1,173 sq ft1,883 sq ft
Evaporative heating area1,355 sq ft2,038 sq ft
Total heating area1,355 sq ft2,038 sq ft
VariantNo. 229GE
Power Plant
Driver diameter54 in56 in
Boiler pressure135 psi160 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylinderstwo, 19 x 30 intwo, 20 x 30 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power600 hp (447 kW)750 hp (559 kW)
Optimal speed17 mph16 mph
Starting effort23,014 lbf29,143 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
freight
last changed: 03/2022
Central Pacific No. 3 “C. P. Huntington”
United States | 1863
only one produced
Image of locomotive
Locomotive Magazine, July 1931

During the American Civil War, when all the major locomotive works were busy producing for the war factions, the Central Pacific was in search of locomotives for its eastward expansion. Since no powerful tender locomotives could be found, the two small 4-2-4T tank locomotives with the names “C.P. Huntington” and “T.D. Judah” were purchased from Cooke. The former was named after Collis Potter Huntington, who was one of the “Big Four” and thus played a key role in the realization of the First Transcontinental Railroad.

After the procurement of more powerful locomotives, the No. 3 quickly lost importance due to its low power and small supplies and was used in front of construction trains. After being taken over by the Southern Pacific, it was assigned number 1 because of its importance and took on lighter duties in northern California. It was on display from 1888, but ended up in storage as early as 1891, only to be converted into a mobile weed incinerator ten years later.

A new life for the locomotive began in 1910 when it was restored to working order. In the decades that followed, it participated in many parades and exhibitions, including the opening of Union Station in Los Angeles. In 1964 it was sold to the State of California, which has exhibited it at the California State Railroad Museum since 1981 after it had been at two other locations in Sacramento. Since 1960, more than 400 scaled-down replicas have been manufactured in two feet gauge, which have been available with different types of power for several years.

General
Built1863
ManufacturerCooke
Axle config4-2-4T (Huntington) 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Wheelbase21 ft 2 in
Service weight43,500 lbs
Adhesive weight15,980 lbs
Axle load15,980 lbs
Water capacity300 us gal
Fuel capacity840 lbs (wood)
Boiler
Grate area9.4 sq ft
Firebox area58 sq ft
Tube heating area361 sq ft
Evaporative heating area419 sq ft
Total heating area419 sq ft
Power Plant
Driver diameter54 in
Boiler pressure125 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylinderstwo, 11 x 15 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power125 hp (93 kW)
Optimal speed22 mph
Starting effort3,571 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
passenger
last changed: 06/2022
“C.P. Huntington” in the California State Railroad Museum
“C.P. Huntington” in the California State Railroad Museum
Joe Ross
Central Pacific No. 60 “Jupiter”
United States | 1868
5 produced
The replica at the Golden Spike National Historic Site at Promontory Summit in Utah
The replica at the Golden Spike National Historic Site at Promontory Summit in Utah
James St. John

When the First Transcontinental Railroad was completed at Promontory Summit in Utah on May 10, 1869, the Union Pacific's No. 119 and the Central Pacific's No. 60 “Jupiter” met. CPRR President Leland Stanford was transported by the “Jupiter” on the final leg to Promontory Summit, where he hammered in the Golden Spike.

The locomotive was built in Schenectady together with the identical numbers 61 to 63 and 84 and brought to San Francisco by ship. After the ceremony, she remained in mixed service for a long time and received, among other things, a new boiler and was rebuilt from wood to coal firing. She remained in use when the CPRR was taken over by the Southern Pacific and was scrapped in 1901. After the “Genoa” and “Inyo” of the Virginia & Truckee had to serve as “Jupiter” in fairs and movies, a replica was built in 1979. This can be seen today along with the 119 at Golden Spike National Historic Park.

General
Built1868
ManufacturerSchenectady
Axle config4-4-0 (American) 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Adhesive weight35,935 lbs
Axle load18,078 lbs
Fuel capacitywood
Boiler
Power Plant
Driver diameter62 in
Boiler pressure120 psi
Expansion typesimple
Power
Power sourcesteam
Indicated power288 hp (215 kW)
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
passenger
freight
last changed: 11/2023
Southern Pacific class A-3
United States | 1904
47 produced
No. 3052 in World War II in front of a GS-4
No. 3052 in World War II in front of a GS-4
collection Taylor Rush

At the beginning of the 20th century when the Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, Kansas City Southern and others were under the same ownership, several locomotive types were standardized in the Harriman Common Standard. One of the HCS Atlantics was the class A-3 of the Southern Pacific. 47 had been built between 1904 and 1908 by ALCO and Baldwin, of which most were oil-fired. They are said to have hauled the Daylight Limited over the 223 miles (359 km) from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo without a refueling.

Beginning in the twenties, all were superheated. In this process, most got a feedwater heater and a trailing truck booster. In the example of the four locomotives rebuilt by the Texas & New Orleans, they even got smaller drivers with a diameter of 77 instead of 81 inches. Another four were rebuilt to the even more modern class A-6 in 1927. So far there is only a short text for this vehicle. In the future it will be described in more detail.

Variantas builtsuperheated
General
Built1904-19081920
ManufacturerALCO, Baldwin
Axle config4-4-2 (Atlantic) 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Wheelbase27 ft 7 in
Rigid wheelbase7 ft
Total wheelbase58 ft 2 in
Service weight196,000 lbs199,560 lbs
Adhesive weight105,000 lbs107,000 lbs
Total weight337,366 lbs
Axle load52,500 lbs54,000 lbs
Water capacity7,000 us gal
Fuel capacity2,940 us gal (oil)oil
Boiler
Grate area49.5 sq ft
Firebox area174 sq ft
Tube heating area2,475 sq ft2,021 sq ft
Evaporative heating area2,649 sq ft2,195 sq ft
Superheater area435 sq ft
Total heating area2,649 sq ft2,630 sq ft
Variantas builtsuperheated
Power Plant
Driver diameter81 in77 in
Boiler pressure200 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylinderstwo, 20 x 28 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power1,500 hp (1,119 kW)1,700 hp (1,268 kW)
Optimal speed41 mph44 mph
Starting effort23,506 lbf24,727 lbf
Booster11,070 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
express
booster
last changed: 05/2024
Southern Pacific class A-6
United States | 1927
4 produced
No. 3002 in September 1941 in Los Angeles
No. 3002 in September 1941 in Los Angeles
Theodore A. Gay

All A-3 Atlantics built from 1904 onwards were fitted with a superheater from 1920 and most of them also received a feedwater heater and a booster on the trailing axle. Four underwent an even bigger rebuild in the Southern Pacific workshops, resulting in the class A-6. Two each were completed in August 1927 and October 1928.

As opposed to other rebuilds with a driver diameter of 77 inches, the A-6 retained the original 81 inches. In addition, the diameter of the cylinders was increased by two inches and the boiler pressure was increased by ten psi. The tube heating surface has been increased by about five percent and the frame has been strengthened. In total, this resulted in a service mass increased by around 20 tons. Their duties included the haulage of the Sacramento Daylight.

General
Built1927-1928
ManufacturerSouthern Pacific
Axle config4-4-2 (Atlantic) 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Wheelbase28 ft 8 in
Rigid wheelbase7 ft
Total wheelbase78 ft 8 1/2 in
Service weight243,899 lbs
Adhesive weight126,700 lbs
Total weight417,899 lbs
Axle load64,501 lbs
Fuel capacitycoal
Boiler
Grate area49.5 sq ft
Firebox area176 sq ft
Tube heating area2,129 sq ft
Evaporative heating area2,305 sq ft
Superheater area435 sq ft
Total heating area2,740 sq ft
Power Plant
Driver diameter81 in
Boiler pressure210 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylinderstwo, 22 x 28 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power1,700 hp (1,268 kW)
Optimal speed36 mph
Starting effort29,865 lbf
Booster11,520 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
express
booster
last changed: 07/2022
Southern Pacific class AC-9
United States | 1939
12 produced
No. 3802 in October 1939 in Kansas City
No. 3802 in October 1939 in Kansas City
Wesley Krambeck / collection Taylor Rush

While most of Southern Pacific's later articulated locomotives were Cab Forwards, the twelve AC-9s were of conventional design. Since there were no tunnels to pass through on the line from Tucumcari, New Mexico to El Paso, Texas, they were able to burn coal in the usual way. Since the coal available was not of high quality, the grate measured 139.5 square feet or just under 13 m².

These Yellowstones were the heaviest locomotives that the Southern Pacific operated. They had a skyline casing on the top of the boiler and were designed for speeds of 75 mph or 121 km/h. After their traditional line was converted to diesel, they were converted to run on oil and moved to other lines. They were retired between 1953 and 1956. So far there is only a short text for this vehicle. In the future it will be described in more detail.

General
Built1939
ManufacturerLima
Axle config2-8-8-4 (Yellowstone) 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Wheelbase66 ft 3 in
Rigid wheelbase16 ft 11 in
Total wheelbase113 ft
Service weight689,900 lbs
Adhesive weight531,200 lbs
Total weight1,090,600 lbs
Axle load66,400 lbs
Water capacity22,120 us gal
Fuel capacity56,000 lbs (coal)
Boiler
Grate area139.5 sq ft
Firebox area589 sq ft
Tube heating area6,329 sq ft
Evaporative heating area6,918 sq ft
Superheater area2,831 sq ft
Total heating area9,749 sq ft
Power Plant
Driver diameter63.5 in
Boiler pressure260 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylindersfour, 24 x 32 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power6,000 hp (4,474 kW)
Optimal speed30 mph
Starting effort128,298 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
freight
passenger
Articulated
last changed: 02/2024
Southern Pacific class C-9
United States | 1905
219 produced
No. 2513 in October 1953 at Bayshore, California
No. 2513 in October 1953 at Bayshore, California
collection Taylor Rush

Starting in 1905, the Southern Pacific and its subsidiaries bought a large number of Harriman Common Standard Consolidations. The SP itself got 169 and the Texas & Louisiana 50, both calling them class C-9. They had a relatively small oil-fired firebox, but the oil was atomized outside of the firebox. According to Mexican Fuel Oil, this saved some oil and made cleaning easier. Starting in 1922, most of these locomotives were superheated and got a larger tender. So far there is only a short text for this vehicle. In the future it will be described in more detail.

Variantas builtsuperheated
General
Built1905-1908from 1922
ManufacturerALCO, BaldwinSouthern Pacific
Axle config2-8-0 (Consolidation) 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Wheelbase24 ft 4 in24 ft 3 in
Rigid wheelbase15 ft 8 in
Total wheelbase56 ft
Service weight207,000 lbs216,700 lbs
Adhesive weight184,000 lbs191,900 lbs
Total weight339,480 lbs351,750 lbs
Axle load46,000 lbs47,975 lbs
Water capacity7,000 us gal9,000 us gal
Fuel capacity2,940 lbs (oil)3,535 lbs (oil)
Boiler
Grate area49.5 sq ft
Firebox area171.3 sq ft189 sq ft
Tube heating area3,225.7 sq ft2,708 sq ft
Evaporative heating area3,397 sq ft2,897 sq ft
Superheater area600 sq ft
Total heating area3,397 sq ft3,497 sq ft
Variantas builtsuperheated
Power Plant
Driver diameter57 in
Boiler pressure200 psi210 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylinderstwo, 22 x 30 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power1,700 hp (1,268 kW)2,000 hp (1,491 kW)
Optimal speed25 mph28 mph
Starting effort43,305 lbf45,471 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
freight
last changed: 11/2024
Southern Pacific class GS-6
United States | 1943
10 produced
Image of locomotive
collection Taylor Rush

The GS-6 was the last 4-8-4 “Golden State” locomotive built for the Southern Pacific. Lima built ten in 1943 which got the numbers 4460 to 4469. Designed in World War II, they got the nickname “War Babies”. They were designed for dual service and had the same driver and cylinder dimensions as the GS-1 and GS-2.

Compared to their direct predecessors in the form of the GS-5, they had no streamlining, but a pointed smokebox door and skyline casing. Other features where the boxpok drivers and originally the wartime shield over the headlight as seen in the photo. The GS-6 could be seen on trains like the San Joaquin Daylight, but also on commuter trains. Their career ended in 1958 and today 4460 can be seen on static display at the Museum of Transportation in Kirkwood, Missouri.

General
Built1943
ManufacturerLima
Axle config4-8-4 (Northern) 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Wheelbase45 ft 10 in
Service weight468,400 lbs
Adhesive weight270,000 lbs
Total weight786,200 lbs
Axle load67,900 lbs
Water capacity23,200 us gal
Fuel capacity6,080 us gal (oil)
Boiler
Grate area90.2 sq ft
Firebox area350 sq ft
Tube heating area4,502 sq ft
Evaporative heating area4,852 sq ft
Superheater area1,834 sq ft
Total heating area6,686 sq ft
Power Plant
Driver diameter73.5 in
Boiler pressure260 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylinderstwo, 27 x 30 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power4,700 hp (3,505 kW)
Optimal speed46 mph
Starting effort65,759 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
passenger
freight
last changed: 01/2025
Southern Pacific class M-4
United States | 1899
105 produced
No. 1701 in May 1935 in Los Angeles
No. 1701 in May 1935 in Los Angeles
collection Taylor Rush

A total of 105 of these Moguls were put into service by the Southern Pacific beginning in 1899. They were from ALCO, most of them from Cooke and the rest from Schenectady. Starting in 1920, they were rebuilt with a superheater. They were used in mainline service up until the 1940s and as switchers into the 1950s. Preserved today is number 1673, which is in Tucson, Arizona and has been cosmetically restored since 2000.

Variantas builtsuperheated
General
Built1899-19011920-1922
ManufacturerCooke, ALCOSacramento
Axle config2-6-0 (Mogul) 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Wheelbase23 ft 3 in
Rigid wheelbase15 ft 2 in
Total wheelbase46 ft 8 1/2 in
Service weight142,600 lbs157,900 lbs
Adhesive weight123,700 lbs134,600 lbs
Axle load41,235 lbs44,870 lbs
Water capacity4,500 us gal
Fuel capacity20,000 lbs (coal)
Boiler
Grate area30.3 sq ft
Firebox area168 sq ft156 sq ft
Tube heating area1,947 sq ft1,350 sq ft
Evaporative heating area2,115 sq ft1,506 sq ft
Superheater area269 sq ft
Total heating area2,115 sq ft1,775 sq ft
Variantas builtsuperheated
Power Plant
Driver diameter63 in
Boiler pressure190 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylinderstwo, 20 x 28 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power850 hp (634 kW)1,100 hp (820 kW)
Optimal speed19 mph24 mph
Starting effort28,711 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
freight
last changed: 03/2023
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