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 From The Golden State Railroad Museum

On September 4th and 5th, Southern Pacific 2472 will return to the rails for excursion runs on the old Northwestern Pacific Railroad between Schellville and the Napa River. This is a must-attend event as 2472 will be going out of service at the end of this year for her 15 year boiler rebuild. Additionally, this will be the first steam powered passenger train on NWP in almost 70 years! You will have the opportunity to ride behind the engine in either a restored SP commute gallery car or our wonderful art deco tavern lounge car, the 2979 (ages 21 and up). Ticket prices will be $70 and $100 respectively with seating being on a first come, first serve basis. There will be 4 round trips per day on both days with each trip lasting an hour and a half. This is an out-and-back excursion with trains departing Schellville at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. We will also have our Union Pacific RPO car on display where you can find our gift shop and take a tour. We hope to see you on the train!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southern-pacific-2472-labor-day-2022-excursions-tickets-398012806017

Parking locations will be given at a later date.

Southern Pacific No.2472 was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1921. It is a 4-6-2 Pacific type steam locomotive, having 4 leading wheels, 6 driving wheels, and 2 trailing wheels. Pacifics such as SP #2472 where designed primarily for passenger train service where sustained high-speeds were just as important as pulling capability. Pacifics were used on railroads around the world and could be seen in the rosters of a great many American railroads. Southern Pacific classed the 2472 as a P-8, along with 14 sister locomotives built from the same Baldwin order.

The 2472's first assignments were passenger trains on the Overland Route between Ogden, Utah and Oakland, California. Crews appreciated the smooth ride afforded by the locomotives of this class. Overland Route runs used the same equipment, without change, for 500 miles.

When larger and more powerful 4-8-2 Mountain type locomotives replaced Pacifics on long runs, the Pacifics were relegated to locals and commute service, particularly the San Francisco - San Jose run. This is where many remember seeing the SP-2472 performing its daily chores.

The SP-2472 served for almost 36 years on the Southern Pacific system. The end came in 1957 when diesels had replaced almost all steam locomotives on the SP. Fortunately, the No.2472 was saved from the scrapper's torch and was put on display at the San Mateo County Fairgrounds. It sat there until 1976, where a group of determined volunteers had begun restoring it. Thus was born the Golden Gate Railroad Museum.

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