Delivered in 1897 as #1838, this is one of thirty-eight oil burning T-1 Class 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler types (#1808-#1846) built over several years by the Cooke Locomotive Works in Paterson, NJ, later part of Alco. In 1901, they were renumbered #2235-#2273, at which time #1838 became #2252.
The T-1s started as freight helpers over the Donner Pass until they were relegated to secondary service by the arrival of larger power. In 1929, four of the class, including #2252, were modified as “fire trains” or “water trains” for service in the northern California mountains.
#2252 was equipped with a Duplex pump capable of delivering 300 gallons of water per minute through a 1000 foot hose carried aboard the locomotive. The pump was fed from two or three water cars coupled to the train, each of which held over 7,000 gallons of water. The trains carried axes, ladders and other fire fighting equipment, and #2252 was fitted with a steam siren that was blown when the train was under way.
During summer, the fire train locomotives were kept hot at all times and a crew was always on duty in case they were needed to attend a fire. Because of their importance in fighting lineside wildfires as well as protecting wooden show sheds, the fire train locomotives were amongst the last steam motive power retired by the SP.
#2252 retired in 1956 and was donated to the City of Roseville the following year. It initially went on display in Placer Fairgrounds. In 2004, it was moved to its current location at the intersection of Atlantic St and Vernon St.
SP MW #7221 was donated to the City of
Roseville by the UP, moved to the site and dedicated on 1st July 2012 part of the celebration of Roseville's membership in Union Pacific's
Train Town Registry, a programme instituted to commemorate Union Pacific's sesquicentennial in 2012.
Built in 1922 as SP #717 at the Alco Cooke Locomotive Works in Paterson, NJ, it was later renumbered #708 and then #7221. Built as an oil burner, it was converted to electric power with a former EMD F7B MW 8221 generator in 1966.
#2252 weighs 142,350 lbs, 112,050 lbs on its 63” drivers. it has 20” x 26” cylinders.
With a 24 sq ft grate, 147 sq ft firebox and total heating surface of 1,884 sq ft, it operated at a boiler pressure of 180 psi delivering 25,257 lbs tractive effort.
