1948?  Modesto, California?

"Evil Eggs"?  The meaning is lost to time.  The initials and date under the S in "EXPRESS" seem to have been written by the same hand.  The date appears to be 8-25-48, suggesting the photo was taken after that time.  This would seem to contradict several accounts that say the 124 was set aside in late 1947.  The engine does not appear to be dead and looks to be merely between assignments.

photo by Guy Dunscomb?, Jim King collection 

Baldwin 2-8-0 Western Pacific 124

Tidewater Southern Railway