Instruction Manual SP 2-6-0 M-6
Prototype Information
Steam Locomotive Numbers 1727 and 1744 were built by the Baldwin Locomotive
Works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in November 1901 for the Southern Pacific
Railroad. The locomotives entered regular service in December 1901. They were
originally a Vauclain Compound having one low and one high pressure cylinder
per side in an arrangement pioneered by Samuel Vauclain. This compound design
was an early attempt to utilize steam more efficiently by cycling it twice through
the cylinders. It proved costly to maintain. In addition, the heavy pounding of the
rods and crossheads due to the unequal pressure caused them to be very hard
on the track and a rough ride for the crew members. The Southern Pacific (Espee)
took the hint and they converted to simple operation. To further upgrade the
locomotives, they were superheaded in 1908.
Southern Pacific Mogul Class M-6 2-6-0 weights 174,000 pounds (87 tons) ready
for service, has 63” driving wheels, 21”x28” cylinders, Stevenson valve gear and
a tractive effort of 33,200 pounds. Her boiler is rated for 200 pounds of steam
pressure. Both models use class 90C tenders.
These engines worked all over the Espee (SP) Pacific Lines system, but spent
most of their careers in California. Mogul locomotives were originally built for
and used in general freight service, however, as the years went by and trains
got heavier and longer they were relegated to lighter duties such as secondary
freight and passenger trains, branch line locals and yard switching duties. The M-6
was found to be excellent for working on light rail, in tight clearances and on the
curvature found around industries and packing houses. They had the reputation of
being able to “fit through a keyhole”. The crews liked them for their smooth ride,
and they were known to be easy on fuel oil and water. They could haul fifty or
so loaded refrigerator cars and run up to 65 miles-per-hour. On the San Joaquin
Division, they earned the nicknames of “Fresno Malley” or “Valley Malley” as they
could pull as much freight in the California valleys as a true Mallet could pull in the
California hills.
On May 21st, 1999, the Rio Grande Pacific Corporation’s subsidiary company
Gandy Dancer Incorporated purchased the Ex-Southern Pacific 1744. Under the
direction of their director of Steam Locomotive Operations Joe Dale Morris, The
locomotive was completely restored to operating condition. When all required
maintenance work and restoration work was completed, the 1744 was sent to
the Rio Grande Pacific’s subsidiary New Orleans & Gulf Coast Railway of Belle
Chasse, Louisiana. the 1744 was operated in regular recreational train service for
a short time and then was put up for sale.
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Instruction Manual SP 2-6-0 M-6
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