San Joaquin & Eastern 4-6-0 "Ten-Wheeler" Locomotives in the USA

Class 201 (Locobase 14335)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volumes 53, pp. 298+. See also the Sierra Historical Society's account of the SJ&E on [] . Works number was 41472 in June 1914.

Northern California's dam-building boom included the Big Creek Dam and Huntington Lake, whose construction by Pacific Light & Power directly prompted the building of the "crookedest railway in the world." To construct the 56-mile (90.2 km) line in 157 days in 1912 was an astonishing feat, given the 1,073 curves, 255 steep grades, and 43 wooden trestles. The average grade measured 5.3% and the sharpest curve bent around at 60 degrees. Rail weights ranged from 52-61 lb/yard (26-30.5 kg/metre).

Only geared Climax and Shay locomotives could manage the steep grades from Auberry and the Big Creek site. The 201 worked the flatter territory between Auberry and El Prado. The long-suffering passengers considered the 5-hour schedule over pretty rough track and the 10 cents/mile fare (about 500% of the average rate) and dubbed the road the Slow, Jerky & Expensive.

When the SJ&E closed in 1933, the 201 went into storage for a short time, then was sold in 1936 to the Modesto & Empire Traction Company as their #6.. They scrapped the engine in January 1948.