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Description
Special reproduction issue from an original painting, reproduced at the same size as the original work. Printed on PH-neutral, acid free paper. Includes certificate, and background document by the artist. Artist's statement, written in 1991: Southern Pacific engine Number 2479 waits at San Jose in the early 1930s. The location is the famed covered trainshed that was located at Bassett Street near the present Market Street overpass. Constructed in 1883 the shed and accompanying depot were modified over the years until the Cahill Street Station was constructed in 1935 at which time it was torn down. Engine Number 2479 is still around today. It began its life in October of 1923. Classified as P-10 the "2479" was one of fourteen locomotives of this class and is the only survivor to escape the scrappers torch. It was retired from active service in 1956. During its thirty-three years of service on the Southern Pacific, the "2479" was one of the "Top Guns" of the passenger fleet. It pulled the Overland Limited to Ogden, Utah, the Daylight, the Coast Mail, The Owl, The Lark and saw service on the Sunset Route. It was used on fast freight trains down the central California valleys south of Sacramento to Bakersfield. The "2479" closed out the era of the steam locomotive in commute service between San Francisco and San Jose. Its ability to accelerate rapidly was ideal for the tight schedules and close headways of commuter trains. Engine Number 2479 was placed on display at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose in 1958 and has been in this location ever since. Currently the Santa Clara Valley Railroad Association is restoring the locomotive to operating conditions as their "Project 2479." The little Orchard Supply Hardware Ford truck in the foregound is still around nicely and running like new!
Type
Image
Identifier
F21AAEAB-0676-48F2-AAAF-024918002025 2018-43-37
Subject
Orchard Supply Hardware (San Jose, Calif.) Railroads (LCSH)
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