Re: SVR #50

Pure speculation on my part, but my thought has been that the 4 wheel pilot truck may have been considered desirable for a locomotive used at higher speeds. Somewhat contrary to this, I have some train reports on my computer from 1916 that show #50's initial trial run and subsequent use for perhaps a month which was in work train service. This was at a time when they were mining the decomposed granite at Larch summit for ballast with the rr's steam shovel loading cars. By winter 1920-21 we know #50 was based at Austin and conductor reports from the mid 20's show it as the primary power used between Austin and Prairie City. In a study of some of the extant conductor reports Bob Bergstrom found that what we assume to be a typical stock train of the 20's from Prairie had one of the Mikados for power, with #50 as the helper for Dixie Summit. SVRy #1 second, one of the former Tonapah moguls seems to have been the typical pass. power for the Baker to Austin section. Obviously there were rotations of motive power as required. Supposedly it was 50 that had a fast running engineer that hit a bull on the Bowen Valley race track with bull parts flying through the cab windows. Having seen vehicles that hit livestock at speed, I believe 50 had to be really flying for this amount of bovine destruction to take place.
This engine had a hard life. In 1918 it was in the machine shop along with the business car when the building burned. Recently a couple photos have been shared with SVRR that show the smouldering ruins of the Austin engine house. One of the engines caught in the conflagration also appears to be 50. This fire was unknown to me and other knowledgeable SVRy folks. #50 was also in a serious wreck at Kites trestle on the Prairie end of the line. #50 derailed on the approach to the trestle and drove hard into the ravine. I have also heard of a derailment due to excessive speed near Whitney. Despite all of this abuse, 50 may have been the last former SVRy engine in service until 19's return. #50 along with the Baldwin Mikes were shipped to Peru and operated there for many years. Information seems sketchy, but my impression is that 50 was operating as #100 or #125 into the 1970's and has since been scrapped. It would have been a real darling to have today.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/08/2014 07:26PM by J.B.Bane.