Virginia & Truckee 2-4-0 "Porter" Locomotives in the USA

Class JW Bowker/Mexico (Locobase 4952)

Data and information from [], which notes that the Bowker is preserved at the California State Railroad Museum See also Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines, as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 7 p. 141. Baldwin works number was 3689 in February 1875.

This engine disposed an unusual wheel arrangement for a North American locomotive and was a good deal smaller than the other V&T locomotives. It was renamed Mexico in 1876.

In 1896, the V&T sold the 21 to Sierra Nevada Wood & Lumber Co as their #3. More than two decades later in 1917, the SNW&LC change its name to Hobart Estate. By then the Nevada company had laid out 38 miles (61.2 km) of standard and 3-foot gauge using 40-lb/yard (20-kg/metre) and 60 lb/yard (30 kg/metre) and up to 3% grades.

The 3 operated on the Hobart Southern remnant in 1936 but in June 1937, it was donated to the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society. Almost 40 years later, the 3 was transported to the then-new California State Railroad Museum at Sacramento.