Working rail roads and their tracks.

[ArlyA]

After a long day on the rails, Cumbres & Toltec 488 is serviced at the ash pit.
As the used coals and ash are dropped, it creates a lava-like effect on camera. The fire is then banked for the night with a layer of fresh coal.

 

[BravoXray]

201 cars, 12,500 feet of train, can be seen here is this reverse curves with K31's train as they make their way south towards Assiniboia. This train is about 2 miles long with cars for the Assiniboia area elevators and the Great Western. The train came out of Moose Jaw and will handle loads back to there once arriving at Assiniboia. The train is south of Crestwynd, SK, Canada, CP Expanse Sub.View attachment 3997132

All EMD power in the lead, kind of unusual for CP, and I don't see any DP units, unless they're out of the frame to the left.

 

[ArlyA]

In 1955, the Sacramento Ca shops were a sad sight as dozens of steam locomotives were sent to scrap yards. In the 2nd photo, 4199 is front and center, where it languished until being vacated on June 6, 1956. The story behind the picture holds an interesting factoid about 4199: It blew up near Salinas on May 3, 1941, and was rebuilt in August of that year. Its checkered service career began on November 3, 1939, but the end is near.

 

[BravoXray]

4199 must have been old SP power, as they were the only ones that ran cab forward steam locomotives.

 

[oldtimer 66]

4199 must have been old SP power, as they were the only ones that ran cab forward steam locomotives.

Maybe also a Mallet.

 

[BravoXray]

I believe they ware all Mallets, i.e. compound engines.

Interesting page about the history of the SP cab forwards.

The World of Steam Locomotives

 

[oldtimer 66]

The way I understand the story is that " Early American Mallets included both" that is compound and articulation. Ref: Brian Reed S.P. Cab-in Fronts, Loco Profile 28.

 

[ArlyA]

I like this pic.
---------------------------
A beautiful start to Labor Day here in the Twin Ports. Duluth, MN - September 1, 2025

 

[MossRoad]

That's a heck of a flash!

 

[ArlyA]

Duluth MN. No date or info given. When we resided in SW SD along a main line BN track, I knew an old timer who serviced engines and he spoke about working on steam engines.