Niles Canyon Railroad Museum - This locomotive was acquired in March, 1995 through the Department of General Services Surplus Property Program, which allows non-profit museums to obtain government surplus property. This engine was formerly U.S. Army #1856, based at Hawthorne, Nevada. Identical first generation locomotives of this type were purchased by the Southern Pacific, and were based almost exclusively in the San Francisco Bay Area. In the early 1950's, H-12-44's worked side-by-side with #2472 and other SP steam. They lasted until the mid 1970's. The FM diesel has been painted to replicate SP locomotive #1487, black overall with orange tiger stripes. The distinctive ash can oscillating headlights and number boards that were common to SP locomotives have been added as well. |