Sierra Railway 2-6-2 No. 30
Sunol, California, United States 		Location: Niles Canyon Ry Museum
Status: Restoration
Related Notes
Photo Copyright © Dale Brown
Here are the notes for Sierra Railway No. 30, a 2-6-2 located in Sunol, CA. If you have additional information about this locomotive, and would like to share it, click the Add Note button.
Posted: Aug 19, 2024 @ 14:08:41 by Steve Frost, European Editor
We usually regard the frames as carrying the identity of the locomotive, so Niles Canyon Railway is the location. Boilers often go away for repair these days, but thanks for your information.
Posted: Aug 18, 2024 @ 15:08:42 by Jeremiah Weil
It could be said that this locomotive is in two places at once. While the running gear and frame are at Brightside, California, at the Niles Canyon Railway Rail Yard, the boiler still remains in Oregon at the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. No word on when this locomotive will be put back together.
Posted: Jan 29, 2012 @ 12:01:00 by hyde seybold
the boiler has officially left niles canyon and is off to oregon to be rebuilt
Posted: Sep 7, 2010 @ 08:09:26 by DRGWSD40T
This Engine is supposed to be restored after the 2-6-6-2T when funds are in order, pulling an engine swap with some museum for boiler work
Posted: Feb 21, 2007 @ 20:02:54 by Dave Haggland
This locomotive and another similar 2-6-2 with slightly larger specs were purchased specifically for the Sierra's Angel's Branch.  For those unfamiliar, the line was initially said to be unbuildable.  To cross the Stanislaus River Canyon was no small feat in 1905 (ish).  It took switchbacks on both sides to accomplish this.  Grades were very steep and curves sharp.  The two shorty passenger cars at Jamestown were made like that so they wouldn't scrape the cuts in the curves.   It's no coincidence these were so similar to logging type Prarie's of the day.  The two engines replaced a Heisler and three Shays (one of which is at the Niles Museum also, Sierra #12) with #30 being for passenger and mixed, and #32 being used for freight almost exclusively.  This engine had a very storied life with a very interesting engineer during her time on the Angels branch.  Check out the Book "Sierra Railway" by Dorothy Newell Dean for lots more details and stories.  DH
Posted: Jun 11, 2004 @ 11:06:37 by Brian T. Wise
The locomotive was not sold to "a railfan," rather to a small group of railfans who had recently organized the Pacific Locomotive Association. The six charter members pooled their money together and purchased the #6 from Howard Terminal soon after it was retired. The locomotive was then moved to Crow Canyon Park near Hayward, CA and returned to operation. The PLA then acquired the ex-Castro Point Railway and Terminal Co. trackage in Richmond, CA for a their new home and moved the #6 there in 1969.
Posted: Oct 16, 2003 @ 18:10:37 by Michael Ledingham

Some more specific ownership history, from Niles Canyon Railway website:

Built for:  Sierra Railway #30, Jamestown, CA

Sold (1937):  Howard Terminal #6, Oakland, CA

Converted (1937): 2-6-2T

Acquired (1962):  Pacific Locomotive Association

Moved (1969):  Castro Point Railway, Richmond, CA

Reconverted (unknown):  2-6-2

Moved (1989):  Niles Canyon Railway, Sunol, CA

The 1969 book "Rails Through the Motherlode" says that at the time of the book's publication this locomotive was "in the hands of a railfan," but I have not been able to confirm this.

Posted: Sep 9, 2003 @ 16:09:28 by Michael Ledingham

Built for:  Sierra Railway Co. #30, Jamestown, CA

Sold (1937): Howard Terminal

Sold (unknown): Unknown Railfan

Transferred (unknown): Pacific Locomotive Association