San Luis Central 2-8-0 "Consolidation" Locomotives in the USA

Class Little Nell (Locobase 14244)

Data from DeGolyer, Vol 51, pp. 286+. See also the photo and caption at [], last accessed 27 June 2012; and P. R. "Bob" Griswold and Phelps R. GTra ), p. 37.. Works number was 41017 in December 1913.

The "Pea Vine" was built in 1913 to convey sugar beets to a mill located along its 13-mile (20.9-km) right-of-way from Sugar Junction (near Monte Vista) to Center, Colo. After that crop's mill closed within a year, the region exploited its climate's suitability for growing potatos.

According to the caption of a 1953 Fred Springer photograph: "For 42 years [#1] ran back and forth over arrow-straight track without ever turning around at either terminal. The SLC did not have a caboose, obliging the train crew to ride in the engine's cab or in the doghouse atop the tender." Obviously, the lack of a trailing truck meant little at the low speeds at which the trains operated.

The Griswolds are the source for the locomotive's name as well as for the comment that empty potato trains might string as many as 114 cars. Locobase figures the return trips must have consisted of much shorter trains.