DATE VISITED: 03/28/2015
HISTORICAL SITE:
The Mighty 2252 & Snowplow
LOCATION:
Atlantic St. & Vernon St., Roseville, Placer Co., CA
DEDICATED:
October 13, 2004
"In
the early 1900's a decision by Southern Pacific Railroad to relocate its
regional operations to this helped turn a small town once known as Junction
into the City of Roseville. Locomotive 2252 is a symbol of this history and of
the social and economic impact of the railroad on Roseville.
The 2252
was manufactured by Cooks Locomotive & Machine Company of Patterson, New
Jersey, in March 1897, as one of 38 identical T-1 class locomotives built that
year. Only 2, the 2252 and the 2248 located in Texas, remain.
A
locomotive is traditionally classified by wheel configuration. The SP 2252 is
considered a 4-6-0 because the engine has 10 wheels consisting of four lead
carry wheels, six large drive wheels, and no trailing carry wheels.
After nearly three
decades as a firefighting locomotive, the 2252 was officially retired on
February 27, 1956 and subsequently donated to Roseville through the efforts of
the Roseville Junior Chamber of Commerce. On April 25, 1956, as part of the
"Cinderama" celebration commemorating
the 50th anniversary of Southern Pacific's relocation to Roseville, it was
placed on display at the Placer County Fairgrounds.
In 2001,
the Community Coalition for the Relocation of the 2252 was formed when a
planned expansion at the Fairgrounds made it necessary to consider options for
relocating the locomotive. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Coalition,
Roseville Historical Society, City of Roseville, Placer County Fair Board of
Directors and the community an agreement was reached to place the 2252 on permanent display at this site.
On October 13, 2004,
after a ceremony that featured a "bon voyage" christening by
Roseville City officials and a train whistle salute by local students, the 70
ton locomotive was transported across the city. Today, the "Mighty
2252" steam locomotive stands as a vivid testament to Roseville's proud
railroad heritage."
**closer
look below
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS: I've gone by this monument several times knowing that at some point I'd make my way there. This monument is more of a local thing for Roseville although the history of the railroad in Roseville is well documented and has been recognized by both State and Federal historical designations.
The monument was so complete that I dont really have a lot to add. It must have cost them quite a bit! But to be honest, I really love one of the picture, I took and I can't just put some random picture, out there without an explanation, so I figured I'd just give the highlights in the life of the SP 2252.
Next to the SP 2252, sat an older snowplow. It's history is also detailed on a plaque nearby, but it was the blades that I found so interesting.
But back to our SP 2252...
1897 - built by Cooke, one of 38 identical locomotives built, given the designation as SP 1838...was used for freight on the Donner Pass line until something more powerful came along.
1901 - SP changed their numbering system and the locomotive became SP 2252.
1929 - modified to become a "fire train". Was stationed at Cisco, Truckee, Summit or Blue Canyon. These trains were extremely important in fighting the wildfires started by other steam locomotives, particularly snow sheds at the higher elevations. They protected the route that was built in the 1860's by the Central Pacific Railroad as part of the Transcontinental Railroad.
1950's - taken out of fire service with the introduction of diesel locomotives and modern firefighting methods.
1956 - retired and put on display at the Placer County Fairgrounds. Only 2 survive to this day and only one, in Texas, is still in use.
2004 - moved to its current site at one of the entrances to old Roseville.
Once I was done, I checked to see what kind of restaurants were nearby and I saw a place called Chubby's. Remembering a friend at work had asked if I had ever been there...I figured it was time.
TripAdvisor review here.
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS: I've gone by this monument several times knowing that at some point I'd make my way there. This monument is more of a local thing for Roseville although the history of the railroad in Roseville is well documented and has been recognized by both State and Federal historical designations.
The monument was so complete that I dont really have a lot to add. It must have cost them quite a bit! But to be honest, I really love one of the picture, I took and I can't just put some random picture, out there without an explanation, so I figured I'd just give the highlights in the life of the SP 2252.
Next to the SP 2252, sat an older snowplow. It's history is also detailed on a plaque nearby, but it was the blades that I found so interesting. But back to our SP 2252...
1897 - built by Cooke, one of 38 identical locomotives built, given the designation as SP 1838...was used for freight on the Donner Pass line until something more powerful came along.
1901 - SP changed their numbering system and the locomotive became SP 2252.
1929 - modified to become a "fire train". Was stationed at Cisco, Truckee, Summit or Blue Canyon. These trains were extremely important in fighting the wildfires started by other steam locomotives, particularly snow sheds at the higher elevations. They protected the route that was built in the 1860's by the Central Pacific Railroad as part of the Transcontinental Railroad. 1950's - taken out of fire service with the introduction of diesel locomotives and modern firefighting methods.
1956 - retired and put on display at the Placer County Fairgrounds. Only 2 survive to this day and only one, in Texas, is still in use.
2004 - moved to its current site at one of the entrances to old Roseville.
Once I was done, I checked to see what kind of restaurants were nearby and I saw a place called Chubby's. Remembering a friend at work had asked if I had ever been there...I figured it was time.
TripAdvisor review here.
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