Friday, July 24, 2015

Prosperity Special 1922 - Decks Go West

Poised in Philly, the train left on May 27, 1922



The Pecos River, boundary line between the Plains and the West

Unknown location


Ontario, California

Was delighted to see this photograph, for this is my old childhood stomping grounds of Walnut, California, looking west. That's Brea Canyon Road crossing the tracks, and Valley Blvd. on the right.

Upon arrival in Los Angeles

Not all of the 1920's were roaring. After World War I, there was a significant recession from 1920 to 1921 (link.)  With an eye towards national publicity, Samuel Vauclain, of Baldwin decided to ship 24 Southern Pacific F-4 Class 2-10-2s west in a single train, and call it the Prosperity Special.  Routing was via the Pennsy to St. Louis, then to the SSW, and then across the Sunset Route, with publicity stops along the route.


1 comment:

  1. I have a photo of the train as it passed near Marfa, Texas. It is one of those panorama photos is 49" wide X 8" high.

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