3
10
24
-
http://museum.spcrr.org/files/original/8661f742b74edefd8221746d5090c6fe.jpg
cdff4ed93d058c61e751621e6f21f7b5
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Passenger Cars
Subject
The topic of the resource
Passenger service, picnic cars
Description
An account of the resource
Narrow gauge passenger cars used in early California and West Coast railroading
Railcar
A physical rail car. Note that digital representations of, or surrogates for, these objects should use Moving Image, Still Image, Text or one of the other types.
Road Number
List CURRENT road number
SPC 47
Status
Operable, semi-operable, in storage, under restoration, body only, overhaul, small parts only
Under restoration, body only
Car Type
Combine/ box car/ flat car/ RPO/ refrigerator car/ etc
Caboose
Builder / Manufacturer
List builder of this car and factory location
Carter Brothers
Build Date
MM/DD/YYYY
1881
Historical Road Numbers
List all known road numbers born
N&C 455
Materials/Construction
wood, steel, etc
Wood, steel frame
Restoration History
Pedigree of previous restoration attempts including detailed description of work done.
No previous restoration attempts
Date Acquired
Date acquired by SPCRR
1975
Location
The location of the interview
SPCRR Carbarn
Objectives
Restore or build replica - undecided
Online Description
Copy for the online-facing description
This 36-inch gauge caboose was constructed in Newark, California by Carter Brothers during the spring of 1882 as part of a four-unit order (numbers 45-48) for the South Pacific Coast Railroad. The car featured the distinctive "duckbill roof" design characteristic of Carter Brothers' caboose construction. While it resembles a passenger car, it actually served as a caboose and was equipped with link and pin couplers instead of the Miller Couplers used on passenger cars.
The SPC Railroad transitioned to the SPC Railway in May 1887 and was subsequently leased to Southern Pacific in July of that year. In 1906, following the San Francisco Earthquake and the standard gauging of the South Pacific Coast, the car was transferred to the SP-owned Nevada & California Railroad and renumbered as #455. The N&C was reorganized as the Central Pacific Railway in 1912, though the equipment remained under SP control. After decades of service, the car was retired as "worn out" on November 28, 1915.
The carbody was immediately repurposed as a railroad employee bunkhouse at Keeler, California, beginning its 53-year secondary life. The structure subsequently passed to private ownership in Keeler and was utilized as a ranch building, serving variously as a goat pen wall and storage shed.
This is the car whose rediscovery started our organization. In 1968, railroad historians discovered the long-forgotten caboose body on a ranch property. The Mission Peak Heritage Foundation purchased the carbody in 1977 and moved it to Fremont, California, where it was stored in the Patterson ranch barn, the facility that would later become Ardenwood Historic Farm Park. The car was transferred to SPCRR ownership and currently rests on substitute trucks in our carbarn. Only the carbody survives; original trucks and underframe were not preserved.
After many years of outdoor exposure, the body is severely degraded structurally, and plans to archive and restore the car continue to evolve as technology improves. The car is currently being surveyed and assessed to determine the next steps in its preservation.
Ownership / Custodial History - PRIVATE VIEW
Carbody sold to private owners (Dusty and Mildred Finn ranch, Keeler, CA) in 19*X*. Discovered 1968 by Richard Datin and Bruce MacGregor. Sold to Mission Peak Heritage Foundation in 1977 for $200.00. Moved to Fremont, CA in 1977; stored in Patterson ranch barn. Transferred to SPCRR ownership in 19*X*.
Curator Notes - PRIVATE VIEW
Museum-staff only notes, not for public publication
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Caboose</td>
<td>47</td>
<td>South Pacific Coast Railroad</td>
<td>36"</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>Spring 1882</td>
<td>Carter Brothers</td>
<td></td>
<td>Duckbill roof, body only</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>Built in Newark, CA by the Carter Brothers as South Pacific Coast RR caboose # 47; It was one of a four caboose order becoming SPC #'s 45 through 48.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>SPC Railroad became the SPC Railway in May 1887.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>SPC Railway is leased to the Southern Pacific in July 1887.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>Transferred to the SP owned Nevada & California RR in 1906; renumbered # 455.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>In 1912 the N&C became changed to the Central Pacific Railway</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>Retired as "worn out" on November 28, 1915.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>Carbody placed on ground at Keeler, CA in 1915 as a railroad employee bunk house.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>body sold to xxxxxxxxxxx and moved to private property in Keeler, CA in 19xx.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>used as goat pen wall / shed on Dusty and Mildred Finn's ranch in Keeler, CA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>Carbody discovered in 1968 by Richard Datin and Bruce MacGregor.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>Sold to Mission Peak Heritage Foundation in 1977 for $ 200.00. </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>Moved to Fremont, CA in 1977; stored in the Patterson ranch barn. The Patterson ranch later became Ardenwood Historic Farm and home to the SPCRR.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>transferred to SPCRR ownership in 19xx</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>In storage on substitute trucks awaiting restoration.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Poster Copy - Private View
Copy for the physical poster for this car
One of four cabooses built by Carter Brothers in Newark during Spring 1882, this distinctive "duckbill roof" design served the South Pacific Coast Railroad through multiple corporate transitions before retirement in 1915.
After 33 years of railroad service ending as Southern Pacific's Nevada & California #455, the carbody spent decades in Keeler, California, first as a railroad employee bunkhouse, then as a ranch building. Its rediscovery by local historians in 1968 began a preservation journey that brought it to Ardenwood in 1977, where it now awaits restoration as one of the museum's most significant Carter Brothers-built artifacts, and the car that kickstarted our museum.
Class
Collection, Operation, Utility
Collection
SPC No
Road number when on SPC roster
47
Carter Brothers?
Yes/No
Yes
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
South Pacific Coast 47
Subject
The topic of the resource
South Pacific Coast 47
Description
An account of the resource
A narrow gauge caboose
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Carter Brothers
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Mission Peak Heritage Foundation
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Railcar
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Railcar
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Description
An account of the resource
Photo by Robert Lemuth 2002
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Robert Lemuth
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2002
http://museum.spcrr.org/files/original/83333b562392446d485b3bf20e6dbbed.jpg
e393af540feee93ad5ec23fca4bd4b1f
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Locomotives
Subject
The topic of the resource
Steam locomotives; Diesel locomotives; Railroad motive power
Description
An account of the resource
This collection includes locomotives that we currently have in our possession. Items include photographs, technical records, and preservation histories.
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Physical collection
Locomotive
A physical locomotive. Note that digital representations of, or surrogates for, these objects should use Moving Image, Still Image, Text or one of the other types.
Road Number
List CURRENT road number
ASARCO 2
Locomotive Model or Class
Whyte/NMRA/Model Name
Model 12-DM-30 (converted to 14 ton)
Status
Operable, semi-operable, in storage, under restoration, body only, overhaul, small parts only
Operable
Builder / Manufacturer
List builder of this car and factory location
Whitcomb
Build Date
MM/DD/YYYY
1939
Serial Number / Builder’s Number
On car or on builder's plate
40081
Historical Road Numbers
List all known road numbers born
ASARCO 2, Great America XX?, Kauai Plantation No. 10
Weight
lb
14 ton
Fuel Type(s)
water, coal, oil, diesel, etc
Diesel
Restoration History
Pedigree of previous restoration attempts including detailed description of work done.
19?? - 2 tons added via welded plate by ASARCO
2004 - Complete rebuild for KPRR by Brooks Locomotive Works
2018-2025 - Complete overhaul of mechanical system, including new engine and transmission. Cosmetic de-modifications. Air brake system installed.
Ownership / Custodial History
List all previous owners, periods active, and any transactions known between each.
1939-1971 - American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO)
19XX - To M. Lummus Co
1973-1996 - Great America (Marriott Corporation)
1996 - 2003 - SPCRR
2004 - 2010 - Kauai Plantation Railway
2010 - 2013 - Roaring Camp & Big Trees Railroad
2013 - 2016 - Private owner
2016 - Present - On loan to SPCRR
Wheel Arrangement
Or truck type
B
Poster Copy - Private View
Copy for the physical poster for this car
Originally built as a 12-ton industrial switcher for American Smelting & Refining Company's Selby, California smelter, this diesel-mechanical locomotive was later upgraded to 14-ton capacity and rebuilt with a General Motors 4-71 diesel engine, serving one of the Bay Area's major industrial facilities.
After ASARCo's closure, the locomotive embarked on a circuitous journey through equipment dealers, amusement parks, Hawaiian tourist railways, California tourist operations, and finally bed-and-breakfast display before returning to active preservation service. Leased to SPCRR in 2015 and comprehensively rebuilt with a modern Cummings diesel engine and air brakes through 2016-2025, it entered public passenger service on October 26, 2025.
Online Description
Copy for the online-facing description
This industrial switching locomotive was originally constructed as a 12-ton diesel-mechanical unit for American Smelting & Refining Company (ASARCo) #2, serving the company's Selby, California smelter complex. The Selby plant was one of the San Francisco Bay Area's major heavy industrial facilities, processing precious and base metals. The locomotive operated on the plant's extensive in-plant industrial railroad system. At an unknown date, it was rebuilt with a General Motors 4-71 diesel engine and upgraded to 14-ton capacity [rebuild date unknown].
Following ASARCo plant closure [date unknown], the locomotive was acquired by M. Lummus Company of Richmond, California, a railroad equipment dealer and contractor [date unknown]. It subsequently passed to Great America Amusement Park in Santa Clara, California in the 1970s, where it is recalled but not verified to have served backstage or maintenance functions rather than guest operations.
The locomotive's preservation history involved multiple ownership changes: It was donated to SPCRR circa 1996 [date uncertain], then traded to a private owner in 19*X* who rebuilt it. The locomotive was used to help construct and establish operations on a tourist railway on Kauai, Hawaii [date uncertain], then sold to that same railway as the Kauai Plantation Railway #10 [dates uncertain]. It was traded to Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad in Felton, California [date unknown, mid-2000s], then sold to a bed and breakfast establishment for static display [name and location unknown].
A private collector purchased the locomotive in 2015 and leased it to SPCRR. It arrived at Ardenwood on September 1, 2015. Between 2016 and 2025, SPCRR volunteers undertook comprehensive rebuilding including installation of a newer diesel engine and addition of air brake systems to meet modern passenger train safety requirements - a substantial investment in returning the locomotive to reliable service.
The locomotive entered public passenger service on October 26, 2025, representing a huge milestone for SPCRR railroad operations. The locomotive runs regularly in SPCRR passenger service, having successfully transitioned from industrial switching to historical railway operations.
* Unknown date information, closest confident date range used.
[] Needs further research or citation
Curator Notes - PRIVATE VIEW
Museum-staff only notes, not for public publication
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Diesel Loco</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>American Smelting and Refining Co.</td>
<td>36"</td>
<td> </td>
<td>14 ton</td>
<td>1939</td>
<td>Whitcomb</td>
<td> </td>
<td>Built for American Smelting & Refining Co # 2 (ASARCo) at Selby, CA (in-plant industrial railroad)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>rebuilt with General Motors 4-71 diesel engine XXXX</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>to M.Lummus Co. Richmond, CA (equipment dealer and RR contractor) XXXX after ASARCo plant closure</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>to Great America Amusement Park in Santa Clara, CA 197x</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>donated to SPCRR 1996 ????</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>traded to Brook Rother 19xx rebuilt</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>used to construct KauiXXXX Plantation Railway (tourist) XXXXXX, Kauai, Hawaii</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>sold to KauiXXXX Plantation Railway # 10 (tourist) XXXXXX, Kauai, Hawaii</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>traded to Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow Gauge RR (tourist) Felton, CA in XXXX</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>sold to XXXXXXXXXXXX (bed and breakfast) for display</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>sold to Brook Rother 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>leased to SPCRR. Arrived at Ardenwood September 1, 2015</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>rebuilt with newer engine and air brakes added by SPCRR XXXX 2016 to 2025</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>First use in SPCRR public passenger service on October 26, 2025</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
ASARCO 2
Subject
The topic of the resource
Whitcomb Locomotive ASARCO 2
Description
An account of the resource
A 14-ton diesel-mechanical switching locomotive
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Whitcomb Locomotive Works
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
American Smelting and Refining Co.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1939
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
On loan from Brooks Locomotive Works
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Owned by Brooks Locomotive Works
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Locomotive
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Locomotive
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Locomotives
Subject
The topic of the resource
Steam locomotives; Diesel locomotives; Railroad motive power
Description
An account of the resource
This collection includes locomotives that we currently have in our possession. Items include photographs, technical records, and preservation histories.
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Physical collection
Locomotive
A physical locomotive. Note that digital representations of, or surrogates for, these objects should use Moving Image, Still Image, Text or one of the other types.
Road Number
List CURRENT road number
581
Status
Operable, semi-operable, in storage, under restoration, body only, overhaul, small parts only
Operable
Builder / Manufacturer
List builder of this car and factory location
Plymouth Locomotive Works, Plymouth, OH
Build Date
MM/DD/YYYY
10/1968
Locomotive Model or Class
Whyte/NMRA/Model Name
CN6663 10/1968 36" HSG B 5 ton D/H; 5-Ton Diesel-Hydraulic locomotive with high cab
Historical Road Numbers
List all known road numbers born
US ARMY #581 <br /> 1968<br />US ARMY #588 <br /> 19XX<br />Olin Corp #OB-588<br /> 19XX
Fuel Type(s)
water, coal, oil, diesel, etc
Gas (Original), Diesel (2018-)
Ownership / Custodial History
List all previous owners, periods active, and any transactions known between each.
US ARMY #581 > #C0268 Badger Ammunition Plant, Baraboo WI
Olin Corp #OB-588, Badger Ordnance Works, Baraboo WI
Sold to Brook Locomotive Works, Georgetown CA
Sold to SPCRR, 2004, Renumbered #1 then #581
Weight
lb
5 ton
Wheel Arrangement
Or truck type
0-4-0 / "B"
Date Acquired
Date acquired by SPCRR
1999/2004
Restoration History
Pedigree of previous restoration attempts including detailed description of work done.
Rebuilt in 20XX by SPCRR
Renumbered to 581 in 20XX
Curator Notes - PRIVATE VIEW
Museum-staff only notes, not for public publication
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Diesel Loco</td>
<td>581</td>
<td>U.S. Army - Badger Ammunition Plant</td>
<td>36"</td>
<td> </td>
<td>5 ton</td>
<td>1968</td>
<td>Plymouth</td>
<td> </td>
<td>#581, then #588 (in-plant industrial railroad)</td>
</tr>
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<td>Renumbered to # 588</td>
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<td>Plant operations suspended in 1977</td>
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<td>Plant closed 1997.</td>
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<td>Sold by auction to Doug Schreier ( and others ) in 19XX</td>
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<td>Stored in Long Beach, CA 20xx to 201x</td>
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<td>Sold to SPCRR in 1999.</td>
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<td>In service as SPCRR # 1 "Katie". Named after Doug Schreier's daughter Katie ( per condition of sale to SPCRR ).</td>
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<td>Rebuilt by SPCRR volunteers with diesel engine during 20XX</td>
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<td>Renumbered to SPCRR # 581 "Katie" 20XX</td>
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<td>In service as the primary SPCRR motive power XXXX to 2025.</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
Poster Copy - Private View
Copy for the physical poster for this car
Built by Plymouth Locomotive Works as a 5-ton gasoline-hydraulic industrial switcher, this locomotive served the U.S. Army's Badger Ammunition Plant as #581, then #588, before the facility's 1997 closure - representing the utilitarian motive power that sustained military-industrial operations through the Cold War.
Acquired by SPCRR in 1999 with the condition it be named "Katie" after a contributor's daughter, it became the museum's workhorse (after the real horses, of course) as SPCRR #1, receiving multiple rebuilds including diesel conversion in 2018. Renumbered #581 in 2020 (returning to one of its original Badger numbers), "Katie" has served as SPCRR's primary motive power from 2015 to 2025, demonstrating that modern industrial locomotives can successfully bridge preservation and operational needs.
Online Description
Copy for the online-facing description
This 5-ton industrial switching locomotive was manufactured by Plymouth Locomotive Works with a gasoline engine and hydraulic transmission. It originally served the U.S. Army's Badger Ammunition Plant as #581, later renumbered to #588 [reason for renumbering unknown]. The Badger Army Ammunition Plant, located in Wisconsin, was a major U.S. military munitions manufacturing facility that maintained an extensive internal railroad for moving materials between production buildings.
Plant operations were suspended in 1977 and the facility permanently closed in 1997. The locomotive was sold at government surplus auction to a group of private buyers in 19*X* and stored in Long Beach, California from 2*0*X* to 201*X*. SPCRR purchased the locomotive in 1999 with the condition that it be named ""Katie"" after the daughter of one of the sellers - a requirement that was incorporated into the sale agreement and has been honored throughout SPCRR ownership.
The locomotive entered service as SPCRR #1 "Katie" and became the museum's primary motive power. Initial service revealed the gasoline engine's age, limitations, and higher operating costs. After several years of service, the yellow paint showed significant deterioration. A "guerrilla" spray paint job using rust red primer was applied and the locomotive maintained its #1 designation. By 2016, this temporary paint job had badly deteriorated.
During winter 2016, SPCRR volunteers undertook comprehensive refurbishment: the locomotive was stripped to bare metal, properly painted, and lettered as SPCRR #1. During winter 2018, a major mechanical upgrade replaced the gasoline engine with a diesel engine, and air brake controls and pump were added to meet air braking requirements for passenger train operations - a significant investment that greatly improved operational capabilities and safety.
In 2020, the locomotive was renumbered to SPCRR #581 "Katie," returning it to one of its original Badger Ammunition Plant numbers and providing historical continuity. It has served as the primary SPCRR motive power from 2015 to 2025, replacing our original horse-drawn service, and has accumulated thousands of hours in revenue service.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
SPCRR No. 581
Subject
The topic of the resource
SPCRR No. 581
Description
An account of the resource
A 5-ton diesel switching locomotive
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Plymouth
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
U.S. Army - Badger Ammunition Plant
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1968
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Private seller
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Locomotive
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Locomotive
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Locomotives
Subject
The topic of the resource
Steam locomotives; Diesel locomotives; Railroad motive power
Description
An account of the resource
This collection includes locomotives that we currently have in our possession. Items include photographs, technical records, and preservation histories.
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Physical collection
Locomotive
A physical locomotive. Note that digital representations of, or surrogates for, these objects should use Moving Image, Still Image, Text or one of the other types.
Road Number
List CURRENT road number
Kiso Forest Railway No. 9
Locomotive Model or Class
Whyte/NMRA/Model Name
Baldwin 0-4-2RT 6-10 1/3 C91
Status
Operable, semi-operable, in storage, under restoration, body only, overhaul, small parts only
Under restoration
Builder / Manufacturer
List builder of this car and factory location
Baldwin
Build Date
MM/DD/YYYY
06/1929
Historical Road Numbers
List all known road numbers born
Kiso Forest Railway No. 17<br /> 1929<br />Kiso Forest Railway No. 9 <br /> 19XX<br />Humboldt Northern No. 11 <br /> 196X<br />Humboldt Northern No. 6 <br /> 19XX<br />Kiso Forest Railway No. 6<br /> 1999
Weight
lb
12.5 ton
Max Tractive Effort
lb
3950 lb
Wheel Arrangement
Or truck type
0-4-2RT
Fuel Type(s)
water, coal, oil, diesel, etc
Wood, coal, wood, oil
Fuel Capacity
lb or gal
TBD
Water Capacity
gal
TBD
Wheelbase
Inches
22ft
Dimensions
in or ft (label)
22ft
Date Acquired
Date acquired by SPCRR
2024
Driver Diameter
Inch
28 inch
Cylinder Count
Qty
2
Cylinder Size
in x in
8.5 x 12 inch
Restoration History
Pedigree of previous restoration attempts including detailed description of work done.
Modified to 36 inch (1971), Restoration underway (2025)
Restoration / Conservation Notes
Any notes on current condition/restoration (for public reading)
Inaccurately numbered as Kiso No. 6 when in California, as owner Henry Sorenson had a Baldwin number plate with a 6 on it.
Ownership / Custodial History
List all previous owners, periods active, and any transactions known between each.
Kiso Forest Railway<br /> 1929<br />Henry Sorenson<br /> 1959<br />California State Railroad Museum<br /> 1999<br />SPCRR<br /> 2024
Curator Notes - PRIVATE VIEW
Museum-staff only notes, not for public publication
To Henry Soreson, Humboldt Northern Railroad (private), McKinleyville, CA in 195*X*. Donated to California State Railroad Museum 1999. Deaccessioned by CSRM and donated to SPCRR 2024 [specific date unknown]. Arrived Ardenwood 2024 [specific date unknown].
Poster Copy - Private View
Copy for the physical poster for this car
SEE 3-PART POSTER SERIES
Online Description
Copy for the online-facing description
This Baldwin 0-4-2RT tank locomotive (class 6-10 1/3 C91) was constructed at Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in June 1929. It was one of ten locomotives in the final order (of three total orders) built for the Imperial Forestry Bureau of Japan for service on the Kiso Forest Railway, a 30-inch gauge logging railroad operating in the mountainous Nagano Prefecture in central Japan, west of Tokyo and north of Nagoya. The locomotive originally carried the number Kiso Forest Railway #17.
The locomotive was renumbered to Kiso Forest Railway #9 in 19*X* [reason for renumbering unknown]. At an unknown date in the 195*s, the locomotive was exported from Japan and acquired by a private collector, Henry Sorenson, in McKinleyville, California. People familiar with the purchase explain that Henry did not know he was buying a 30-inch gauge locomotive, and was surprised when the locomotive was being hoisted out onto the dock.
The locomotive underwent significant modification for California service: it was converted from 30-inch gauge to 36-inch gauge and restored to operation [date unknown] as Humboldt Northern Railway #11. It was subsequently renumbered to Humboldt Northern Railway #6 in 197*X* (documented by October 1976). In 199*X*, it was re-lettered as "Kiso Forest Railway #6" - an historically inaccurate number chosen for display purposes, as the locomotive never carried #6 while on the Kiso Forest Railway in Japan, but Henry had a number plate with a "6" on it. This incorrect numbering has been perpetuated in various published lists and online databases.
The locomotive operated at Railfair 1999 event at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento during June 1999, introducing it to a national audience and cementing its spot in railfan culture. It was donated to the California State Railroad Museum in 1999 and rotated on and off public display from 1999 to 201*X* inside CSRRM's historic roundhouse facility.
CSRRM deaccessioned the locomotive and donated it to SPCRR in 2024 [specific date unknown]. It arrived at Ardenwood in 2024 [specific date unknown] and is currently under restoration to operating condition. When restored, it will represent a rare example of American-made, Japanese forestry railway equipment operating in North America and will add significant interpretive value regarding international narrow gauge technology transfer and the global nature of Baldwin Locomotive Works' manufacturing reach.
Research note: Because the locomotive was incorrectly lettered as Kiso Forest Railway #6 during its California State Railroad Museum display period, it has been erroneously identified as KFRy #6 in various published rosters, websites, and databases. Definitive research confirms it was originally Kiso Forest Railway #17, later renumbered to #9 in Japan, and never carried the number 6 while in Japanese service.
* Unknown date information, closest confident date range used.
[] Needs further research or citation
An in-depth standalone exhibit on the Kiso No. 9 can be found below:
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Kiso Forest Railway No. 9
Subject
The topic of the resource
Steam locomotive, logging railroads, baldwin, kiso forest railway
Description
An account of the resource
The Kiso Forest Railway No. 9 is a Baldwin 0-4-2RT 6-10 1/3 C91 steam locomotive built in June 1929 in Pennsylvania. It is one of ten locomotives in the last of three total orders built for the Imperial Forestry Bureau of Japan, for use on the Kiso Forest Railway, a 30-inch gauge logging railroad in the Nagano Prefecture in the center of Japan- west of Tokyo and north of Nagoya.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Baldwin Locomotive Works
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1929
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
California State Railroad Museum
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Locomotive
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Locomotive