Narrow gauge (36") Class T-44 Ten Wheeler (4-6-0) type locomotive #9 was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, in 1909 for the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway in Reno, NV. It was one of seven Ten Wheelers sold to the SP by the NCO.
In 1929, the engine was sold to the Southern Pacific where it was rebuilt and placed in service on the Owens Valley line, originally built as the Carson & Colorado Railroad, the following year. The locomotive, along with sisters #8 and #18 were nicknamed "The Slim Princess".
It was put on stand-by when a diesel electric locomotive went into service in 1954 and was retired when the railroad was abandoned in 1959. The last narrow gauge common carrier made its final run on 29th April 1960. That year, #9 was donated to the City of Bishop, CA, and it is now on display at the Laws Railroad Museum in Bishop.
An oil burner with 16" x 20" cylinders weighing 87,150 lbs, 70,750 lbs on its 44” drivers, it operated at a boiler pressure of 180 psi delivering 17,800 lbs tractive effort. The tender has a capacity of 1,800 gallons of oil and 3,000 gallons of water.
The museum is located on the site of the original Laws Railroad Depot.
As well as the “Slim Princess”, there are nearly fifty other structures on eleven acres furnished with historic objects of pioneer life in the Owens Valley.
An oil burner with
16" x 20" cylinders weighing 87,150 lbs, 70,750 lbs on its 44” drivers, it operated at a boiler pressure of 180 psi delivering 17,800 lbs tractive effort.
The tender has a capacity of 1,800 gallons of oil and 3,000 gallons of water.
