Saved from the scrap heap -- Train #2472

This engine had been built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works and was delivered to Southern Pacific in 1921. It was specifically designed to haul such name trains on the Overland Route as the Pacific Limited and the Overland Limited. It ran at high speed for prolonged periods of time, a departure from the normal hauler, thus reducing the changing of motive power at different points of the trips. It averaged more than 10,000 miles a month. As business decreased for the steam engines, they were relegated to running fruit and vegetable reefer blocks from the Salinas Valley to Roseville. In the 1940s, most of the P-8 Class of engines finished their service. A few survived for a few more years and they became the mainstay of commute power. In the 1950s, all of this class of locomotives were scrapped except for two — the 1467 and 2472.

Its fate of becoming a heap of scrap metal seemed a foregone conclusion until a group of Peninsula train enthusiasts began tearing apart and buying parts to restore the engine, remaking parts no longer available, and putting their heart and soul into what seemed like an impossible task. But they persevered. Six-week projects turned into two-year events due to the bad condition of the locomotive. Much had to be learned as the project went along, but restoration was not the only problem. In 1988, with only a couple of weeks notice, the locomotive had to be moved from its site to another at the fairgrounds before the train could even run under its own power. Panic set in, but it was moved with more than 30 volunteers helping Saturday, Oct. 29, 1988.

The next difficulty occurred when the train had to be removed altogether from the fairgrounds, but, luckily, a berth was obtained at the Hunters Point Shipyard. It was moved there in 1990, although not yet moving under its own power.

When the Golden Gate Railroad Museum got going, volunteers from every walk of life pitched in to make it the best railroad museum in the West. Its collection of artifacts include materials and information from yesterday’s famous trains, such as the Daylights, Overland Limited, Cascade, Sunset, Lark, Del Monte, California Zephyr, city of San Francisco and Southern Pacific commuter trains. To raise money for train restoration and fulfill dreams of many a grown-up child, a rent-a-locomotive or a host-a-party at the Golden Gate Museum was available.

The engine was finally fired up and ready to move under its own power by 1991 when it was to run to Sacramento to be displayed at RAILFARE 1991.

This unique engine is now fully restored, and many passenger cars that it pulled up and down the Peninsula in the 1940s and ’50s have been recovered, completing this bit of nostalgic past.

After developing and restoring vast aspects of railroad artifacts, the museum had to move out of Hunters Point in San Francisco. In 2007, new facilities were acquired across the Bay in Sunol. Their new address for the 12 locomotives and 25 pieces of rolling stock they have is now at 5550 Niles Canyon Road, Castro Valley, CA 94552. Telephone help is at (650) 365 2472.

But wait ... Why go all of the distance to Sunol to see railroad photos, equipment and artifacts such as the Pullman Sleeping Car when much interest can be satisfied by visiting the Millbrae Train Depot. Vern Bruce, owner of Millbrae Locks and a railroad enthusiast was able to acquire the S.P.’s Millbrae Train Depot after it was declared surplus and no longer needed as a depot. With the aid of the Millbrae History Association, he opened it as a local train museum. Call Vern at (650) 333-1136 for further information.

Rediscovering the Peninsula by Darold Fredricks appears in the Monday edition of the Daily Journal.