Western Pacific 334

Last updated
Western Pacific 334
Wp 334 June 1964 - Flickr - drewj1946.jpg
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
Builder American Locomotive Company (ALCO)
Serial number67972
Build dateMay 1929
Specifications
Configuration:
   Whyte 2-8-2
Gauge 4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver dia.63 in (1.600 m)
Adhesive weight 249,000 lb (113,000 kg)
Loco weight332,000 lb (151,000 kg)
Fuel typeOil
Fuel capacity4,000 US gal (3,300 imp gal)
Water cap.15,000 US gal (12,000 imp gal)
Boiler pressure190 psi (1.3 MPa)
Cylinder size 28 in × 30 in (710 mm × 760 mm)
Performance figures
Maximum speed40 mph (64 km/h)
Power output3,000 hp (2,240 kW; 2.24 MW)
Tractive effort 60,000 lbf (266.89 kN)
71,300 lbf (317.16 kN) (with booster)
Career
Operators Western Pacific Railroad
Class MK-60-71
Numbers334
RetiredOctober 1952
Current owner Western Railway Museum
DispositionStored

Western Pacific 334 is a 2-8-2 "Mikado" type steam locomotive that was built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) for the Western Pacific Railroad (WP) in May 1929.

Contents

Revenue service

Western Pacific 334 was constructed by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) at Schenectady, New York in May 1929. No. 334 was one of five locomotives of the Western Pacific class MK-60-71, numbered 332-336. The Western Pacific had used the class throughout the WP's system, operating the class from Oakland, California to Salt Lake City, Utah, primarily as freight locomotives, but they did haul passenger trains up the Feather River Canyon until the larger 4-8-2 "Mountain" locomotives took over the duties in 1936. No. 334 also had one of the largest tenders on the WP. WP 334's last revenue service run was in October 1952. [1]

Excursion service

In March 1956, the Western Pacific had reactivated No. 334 into service as they needed another steam locomotive for an excursion train through the California state. It was also used for a time in the Campbell's Soup Plant in Sacramento, California. In June 1956, No. 334 ran up to Plumas County, California and return with Western Pacific TP-29 No. 94 on an excursion train. [1]

On June 15, 1957, No. 334 double-headed with 4-6-0 No. 94 again, when it hauled the Butte­-Plumas Express between Oakland, California and Oroville, California where the excursion would get interchanged by diesel locomotives on the rest of the route to Quincy, California. [2]

Preservation

After operating on excursion service, No. 334 was placed in storage at the Western Pacific's Oakland roundhouse until January 1967. [1]

On March 15, 1965, No. 334 was donated to the National Maritime Association (NMA) of San Francisco, California. The NMA had then transferred ownership of the 334 to the Bay Area Electric Railway Association (BAERA). [3]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Western Pacific 334". Western Railway Museum. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  2. Lloyd, Arthur L. (2021-08-04). "Western Pacific Railroad: A railroader's history". Trains. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  3. "The Train Sheet, Volume 3 No. 2, Issue 12" (PDF). The Train Sheet. 3 No. 2 (4). Feather River Rail Society. March–April 1985.