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2476, 2477 towed cars in reverse
Author: Bulwer
Date: 12-10-2016 - 17:39
> From what I have read, there were only 2 SP
> Pacifics --
> the 2476 and the 2477 -- that ran on the Los Gatos
> Branch.
These two were the regular power towards the end, but there were many others. The lightest would have been the 3109, which was the biggest to go over the hill to Santa Cruz. P-6s 2454 and 2458, both Del Monte engines with short tenders for the turntable at Pacific Grove, weren't uncommon in the early/mid-'50s, following the P-1s (both of the Baldwin and ALCO variety) that were on the branch by WWII. I've been told one or more of the three P-10s with skyline casings were tried as well in '55 or early '56, but weren't a good match for all that 70lb. rail.
> Anyways, I did read somewhere that these 2
> locomotives --
> the 2476 and the 2477 -- would uncouple from their
> train
> in Los Gatos, run around the train, and run light
> in
> reverse to San Jose, where they would be turned
> and
> serviced for the return to Los Gatos, which they
> again
> made alone, running light (no cars) in reverse.
> AFAIK,
> neither of these 2 light Pacifics ever pulled a
> train while
> running in reverse.
The locomotive would take the cars tender-first back to San Jose. Deadheads without passengers, but never light. Video here: https://youtu.be/Qd7yOXP_vOM?t=33m53s
> Pacifics --
> the 2476 and the 2477 -- that ran on the Los Gatos
> Branch.
These two were the regular power towards the end, but there were many others. The lightest would have been the 3109, which was the biggest to go over the hill to Santa Cruz. P-6s 2454 and 2458, both Del Monte engines with short tenders for the turntable at Pacific Grove, weren't uncommon in the early/mid-'50s, following the P-1s (both of the Baldwin and ALCO variety) that were on the branch by WWII. I've been told one or more of the three P-10s with skyline casings were tried as well in '55 or early '56, but weren't a good match for all that 70lb. rail.
> Anyways, I did read somewhere that these 2
> locomotives --
> the 2476 and the 2477 -- would uncouple from their
> train
> in Los Gatos, run around the train, and run light
> in
> reverse to San Jose, where they would be turned
> and
> serviced for the return to Los Gatos, which they
> again
> made alone, running light (no cars) in reverse.
> AFAIK,
> neither of these 2 light Pacifics ever pulled a
> train while
> running in reverse.
The locomotive would take the cars tender-first back to San Jose. Deadheads without passengers, but never light. Video here: https://youtu.be/Qd7yOXP_vOM?t=33m53s
