About the 94
Western Pacific 94 was built for the Western Pacific in 1909 by the Brooks Locomotive Works. She was the first steam locomotive to haul any passenger train through Western Pacific's famous "Feather River Canyon". For the 50th year aniversery of the Western Pacific, she was painted with gold stripes and pulled a special train into Oakland California. Western Pacific 94 was also leased to Disney for the making of the movie "Pollyanna". After some time, Western Pacific 94 ended up at the Western Railway Museum and was operated at the Museum for special runs. The last run of 94 was made in 1993, and after that run she was not fit for operation, and resided inside of car house #2 at the WRM for some years. On July 24, of 2007, 44 tonner VE 502 entered Car House Two with a reach boxcar, coupled onto 94, and slowly pulled it out. It was switched to the track one passenger platform where a crew was waiting to wash the locomotive. This crew, lead by Bill Kluver, included Dick McClenaghan, John Berholzer, Don Meehan, Steve Graves, and Mike Flaherty. To get 94 to the south spot on track 32 in the new car house took lots of switching. A switching crew consisting of Al Stangenberger, Greg Byers, Dave Johnston, Bill Strahle, and Joe Magruder spent eight hours moving cars around. WP 94 looked good after a good washing and it was moved into Car House Three at the south end of track 32. Then a passenger train consisting of Western Pacific baggage car 128, Pullman car Circumnavigators Club, and Western Pacific lounge car 653 was switched in behind it. All of this activity took place on a Tuesday when the Museum was closed so as not to interfere with normal operations.
Sources
Credit for video, photographs, and information goes to the Western Railway Museum, and people such as Jim Ward, and Steve Graves.
Jim Ward is the man who has the video of the locomotive in operation.
Steve Grave has great photos.
the WRM has the information.
Jim Ward is the man who has the video of the locomotive in operation.
Steve Grave has great photos.
the WRM has the information.