CP Stevens stacks
From: woodburner@earthlink.net
I've recently seen two photographs of engines ordered during the construction era in what is clearly the original builder's paint but with the Stevens large diamond stack. When did the large diamond replace the CP designed (and other) balloon stacks? Was in 1870-71, 72?
I'm trying to figure out a series of dates for various stacks used on the CP/SP to date photographs – and paint jobs – by.
Thanks,
Jim
posted from CPRR Discussion Group at 10:11 AM
5 Comments:
We know at least some locos were ordered without stacks, so the factory might have installed a spare for any builders photos.
As to when the large diamond replaced the funnel, I'm not exactly sure, but suspect very early 1870s. Stevens became General Master Mechanic in 1870, but the diamond design might not have originated with him on the CP.
Kyle K. Wyatt
Curator of History & Technology
California State Railroad Museum
Note my work address has changed to: kwyatt@parks.ca.gov
My personal address remains: kylewyatt@aol.com
From: woodburner@earthlink.net
The specific month-year "start date" of the large Stevens diamond is what I'm looking for. I've seen photos of the Rogers ten wheeler Gorilla and the Schenectady eight wheeler Sultana in original builder's paint, with Stevens stacks. The engines were built in 1868-69; I assume the paint would have lasted two, three or possibly four years at most before shopping and repainting. Its interesting to see the confluence of two different eras.
Whether the Stevens stack is Stevens in origin is a good question. I think we assume it was, and may likely be, but I haven't seen any data.
Thanks,
Jim
From: "Wendell Huffman" wendellhuffman@hotmail.com
Invoice amounts for the following Central Pacific locomotives were reduced specifically because engines were provided without stacks. Presumably – since the CP wasn't charged – they were shipped without stacks and subsequently provided with CP-built stacks in Sacramento upon erection. There may have been others – specifically those shipped by steamer not included in this list. W.
54-75
77-79
82-89
92
95-101
112-113
117-121
127-130
138-152
163-164
We are pretty sure that in the 1860s the CP was equipping its locos with funnel stacks, not diamond stacks. for instance, note the Jupiter is in Wendell's list. We also know that by the early 1870s the CP was using a small diamond stack on the Eastern coal divisions. Further, I believe the large Stevens stack was used for both coal and wood (likely with different guts). So maybe (pure speculation) the evolution was:
1. Funnel stack for wood
2. Small diamond stack for coal
3. Large diamond stack adaptable for both fuels.
Under this theory, the large diamond evolved to standardize stack manufacture regardless of fuel needed. Likely time frame – early 1870s, certainly before the new CPRR-constructed 4-4-0s of 1873-74.
Kyle K. Wyatt
Curator of History & Technology
California State Railroad Museum
Note my work address has changed to: kwyatt@parks.ca.gov
My personal address remains: kylewyatt@aol.com
Note: Kyle K. Wyatt is the former Curator of History for the Nevada State Railroad Museum, present Curator of History & Technology of the California State Railroad Museum, and long time researcher on Central Pacific Master Mechanic A. J. Stevens. Virginia &Truckee 4-4-0s #s 17 and 18 were built in the CP shops in 1873 to designs of Stevens.
[from the R&LHS Newsgroup.]
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