builder..
builder number.. built.. wheel arrangement.. boiler pressure..
cylinders.. drivers.. operational weight.. weight on drivers.. starting tractive effort.. length.. width.. wheelbase of drivers..
CENTRAL PACIFIC
18* January 1882 2-6-2T 145 lbs. 16" x 24" 51" diameter 103 900 lbs 80 100 lbs 14 750 lbs ft in ft in
ft in
While each
of the Tidewater's 3 steam locomotives were unique and interesting, the obscure first number 1 was perhaps the most unusual of them. An S-1 class suburban tank engine built by the Central Pacific for passenger service in the Oakland area, it
was purchased by the TS on July 2, 1912. The engine was built as CP 234*, in Sacramento under the direction of Andrew Jackson Stevens, master mechanic of the Central Pacific Railroad's Sacramento Shops. Starting as a modest engine facility
in 1863, the shops were expanded under Jackson's leadership and would remain in use by the Southern Pacific throughout the road's entire existence. From 1873-1889, and again during 1917-1931, the Central Pacific and later Southern Pacific
built their own steam locomotives at the facility. TS first 1 was one of the small number actually constructed by the CP. In 1881, Stevens and his crew began construction of seven small, 2-6-2T suburban type locomotives for Oakland commuter
service. These engines featured a rear oil tank that was blended into the cab and box-like side water tanks. They ran until electrification of the Oakland lines by SP around 1910. Following the SP acquisition of the Central Pacific, the engine
was renumbered to SP 1905* and finally 1506* before coming to the Tidewater. The same month number 1 arrived, the soon-to-be electrified railroad initiated passenger service between Modesto and the Stanislaus River using it and coach 100, also
an ex-CP/SP emigre from Oakland. In October, service extended to Stockton with the opening of the mainline. It appears that passenger trains during this time entered Stockton via the Western Pacific from Ortega and terminated at the WP's
Stockton depot. On November 15, 1913, the interurban cars took over passenger service (via the Tidewater's own line into Stockton) and number 1 was used in construction and, probably, freight duties. It is unknown what became of coach 100.
The little suburban Prarie lasted until 1917, at which point it appears to have been sold to the Howard Terminal back in Oakland as their number 1, although reports vary. The Howard Terminal owned at least two of the ex-CP tank engines and
records of the time are unclear whether the TS engine actually went there. It may have survived into the 1940's. No photos of the TS first number 1 have come to light, but twin sister 233, the last survivor of this type, is preserved at the
California State Railroad Museum in unrestored condition.
* note – some rosters appear to have mixed up locomotives with CP construction number 18 and 19. I believe that the TS 1 was c/n 18, which, according to CP shop logs would be CP 234 and SP 1905/1506. However, if it is c/n 19, then it would be CP 235, SP 1906/1507. Hopefully, some evidence will come to light that will settle this question.
OVERVIEW
. Built by Central Pacific. . Used in CP/SP East Bay commuter service. . Came to TS in 1912. . Used in construction and passenger service. . No known photos. . Later history is murky.
Tidewater Southern Railway
Central Pacific 2-6-2T 1:1
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