Central Pacific Railroad Rail

From: "Robert Stout" rbstout@att.net

I have a section of C.P. rail marked CAMMELL SHEFFIELD TOUGHENED STEEL P.I.C. 61 1/2 1887 S. Like G.J. Graves who does not know what the P following 1887 on his rail stands for, I do not know what the S. following 1887 on my rail stands for.

I have had this piece of rail for some 24 years. I was an employee of the Southern Pacific Railroad at the time and a friend sent it to me from Sacramento where he found it among some of the rail removed from the yard near the Sacramento Locomotive Works. Like most rail found in yards, it undoubtedly was cascaded from the mainline to yard service as the wear pattern is unlikely for rail used only in the yard. The wear pattern indicates that it was in tangent track, not curved. Except for rust pitting on the base of the rail, it is in remarkably good condition.

Robert B. Stout
Vice President and Chief Mechanical Officer
Alaska Railroad Corporation

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

Question: Sacramento to Omaha?

From: "Patrick & Stacey" harnetty@charter.net

Is there a historic steam engine that runs from Sacramento to Omaha? I'm finishing Ambrose's book and would like to relive the scenery and road of the original route. Thanks for any info.

Patrick