Southern Pacific No. 18 is a 4-6-0 "Ten Wheeler" type oil-fired narrow gauge steam locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, PA in December 1911, originally for the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway. Nicknamed the 'Slim Princess', it was restored to operating condition in October 2016 and later entered excursion service in July 2017. It now operates at the Eastern California Museum in Independence, CA. As of today, it is owned and operated by the Carson & Colorado Railway Group.
In 2019 and 2021, it was leased to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNG) in Durango, CO for oil-fired testing in preparation for the D&SNG's conversion of most, if not all, of their operable steam locomotives from coal to oil for fuel, starting with the conversion of one of their K-37 class 2-8-2 "Mikado" type locomotives, No. 493.
In early July 2022, it visited the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City, NV to participate in their Great Western Steam Up event alongside Virginia & Truckee No. 22, nicknamed Inyo, Virginia & Truckee No. 25, Carson & Tahoe Lumber & Fluming Company No. 1, nicknamed Glenbrook, Eureka & Palisade No. 4, nicknamed Eureka, Santa Cruz Portland Cement Company No. 2, and several others.
Trivia[]
- SP 18 was used in the Western film Hostile Territory. However, despite taking place after the American Civil War, the locomotive did not receive any cosmetic alterations for the film.
- In 2019 and 2021, SP 18 was leased to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNG) in Durango, CO for oil-fired testing.
- During the test runs on the D&SNGR, the locomotive suffered a shattered piston.[1]
- In early July 2022, SP 18 visited the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City, NV to participate in their Great Western Steam Up event.