#2554 consolidated is hauling the Monterey Local just west of Castroville, California. Late afternoon along the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz when 2-8-0 #2733 and 2-8-2 #3224 provide the tractive effort necessary to get the 2,500 ton sand train they are pulling up the short grade to Seabright.
Russell, Cool shots. What is the story on these fine pictures? You tease us with them. Love to see more. Greg
I happened upon this "not so railroad" mom & pop site Yesteryear Depot They sell "handmade craft items, kitchen items and home goods, clothing and accessories, memorabilia and collectibles, and photographic glimpses of railroad and other related history." In that last item listed, are tons of steam photos. I only select the ones without a "clear stack" so there are so many more awesome photos there with only sky above them.
Well, here is some more. The famous "Suntan Special" is back to the Beach Boardwalk at Santa Cruz, California in the late 1940's. It was not run in WWII due to the needs of the war effort. This shot was taken at 5:10PM on a Sunday in August of 1947 . A 2300 class along with a 2500 class locomotive work the point as over 700 happy beach goers are leaving the "Walk", bound for San Jose, Palo Alto, and eventually San Francisco.
GS-4 # 4452 is pulling the Daylight here in 1945. An SP company photographer took this shot as the train is crossing the Pajaro River Bridge at MP 92.37. This bridge was the third structure at this crossing and built only a few years before this photo.
GS-4 #4447 pulls a 20 car Daylight. It is a very cold 1947 winter morning in the Pajaro Valley at Eaton's Crossing as #98 comes out of the Aromas cut at speed (79mph).
