Peeler

From: "Larry Mullaly" lmullaly@jeffnet.org Wendell,

I believe you told me that Peeler had been converted with a cow-catcher on front of engine and back of tender at some point. The following account appears in AC Bassett's Journal entry of January 18, 1873. Sand Cut is what we know today as the Coast Line and is located geographic east of Watsonville Junction. In 1873 the hill had not been cut through as it is today and required helper service with a locomotive stationed at one side or the other of the hill. Since there was not a turntable here, I assume the the lone helper engine would run backward and forward. At this time Peeler was still on the CP roster, and would not join the SP until later that year. This is where the story begins:

January 18
Train No.____[no number transcribed] with 21 cars Engine No. 6 assisted by Engine Peeler coupled in behind the No. 6. Stalled, coming up the Sand Cut grade. Conductor Williamson cut the train and let the rear section drop back to the foot of the hill when the forward section ran away with two engines and striking the cars standing at the foot of the hill, crippling ten cars and breaking pilot off of engine Peeler and also breaking draw bar. Broke brake beam of Engine No. 6. Both engines used steam and all the brakes were set but could not hold the train; 10 broken cars were left at south sand cut switch and train came on having been detained by accident two hours and thirty-five minutes.

Does the above and the supposition that Peeler was doubled ended at this date add anything to the saga of Peeler?

Larry