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California’s Locomotives Shortline Steam in the Golden State Joseph Strapac SC
Californias Locomotives Shortline Steam in the Golden State by Joseph Strapac
Soft cover
128 Pages
Copyright 2008 March
Soft Cover
Table of Contents
1. Introduction3
2. Moguls: 2-6-0 Locomotives8
3. Prairies: 2-6-2 and 2-6-2T20
4. Passenger Locomotives: 4-4-0 and 4-6-050
5. 2-8-0 Consolidation Locomotives60
6. 2-8-2 Mikado Locomotives70
7. Specialized Locomotives: Mallets and Minarets90
8. Six-Wheel Switchers: 0-6-0 and 0-6-0T106
9. Four Drivers: Switchers and Forneys120
Authors and historians have often noted that California seemed to be fertile ground for shortlines. At the peak of the industry in the late 1920s, small common carrier railroads remained a viable business model everywhere in the state-even in the desert. In fact, many of the railroad organizations that appear in this book can still be found operating in their traditional venues. (Please note, however, that the book you are holding is not a guide to current rail operations in California.)
Shortlines have been intensely studied and discussed and documented. Authorities such as George Hilton and Lucius Beebe have commented upon the truism that the less important a shortline is (or was), the more that is likely to be written about it.
Many California railroads were organized, not to become a Union Pacific or a BNSF, but to simply serve some local purpose. Hauling lumber or minerals or sugar beets required specialized rail services best provided by a focused, local organization. Incorporating as a common carrier allowed the local railroad to interchange with a larger, interstate line and participate in rate divisions on both inbound and outbound traffic. Common carrier status was essential also if the railroad proposed to haul passengers other than its own employees. However, common carriers were subject to sometimes-onerous state and federal regulations, standards and inspections.
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