Southern Pacific steam engines ca. 1879/80 and Camp Armstrong
I am in need of viewing a photograph(s) or good illustrations of the engines and flat cars used by the Southern Pacific Railroad during construction of the road across New Mexico in 1879/80. Where might I locate such photos?
I have been commissioned to paint a mural for a large, new government building that will show construction of the railroad and the locomotive used to bring in track and ties. Credit will be given to the source.
In addition, I am trying to locate a supply or construction point on the SP railroad that was called Camp Armstrong. Camp Armstrong was used by the 9th Cavalry as a point to obtain supplies shipped by rail in 1877/78. It apparently was somewhere in the Las Cruces, El Paso area on the main line and may have been the terminus of the line at that time. ...
—Greg Whipple
posted from CPRR Discussion Group at 10:53 AM
4 Comments:
The best place to look for detailed illustrations of 19th century rail car construction is the Car Builder's Dictionary.
From: Bob_Spude@nps.gov
Unfortunately photos of SP construction across southern New Mexico are rare, if not nonexistent. You might look for examples of SP construction of the SP in Arizona, many of which are published in David Myrick's volume 1 of Railroads of Arizona, the Southern Roads. He has great shots of work trains in Yuma (there are more so use his credit line to contact the institutions/repositories for additional images). Myrick includes a photo of an SP locomotive and flat cars, 1879. Carleton Watkins did a number of views that are exceptionally clear. Learn more about him on CPRR.org.
Camp Armstrong is not in Daniel C B Rathbun & David V Alexander's "New Mexico Frontier Military Place names," a pretty comprehensive book on military sites. (The companion Arizona volume lacks a Camp Armstrong as well).
—Robert L. Spude, Ph. D. – Regional Historian – Cultural Resources Management – National Park Service – Intermountain Region – 505.988.6770 Voice – 505.988.6876 Fax
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.
From: "Larry Mullaly" lmullaly@jeffnet.org
The Huntington Library in San Marino, California has a significant series of Carlton Watkins photos including the shot of the work train found in Myrick's Vol. 1, but another shot showing construction taking place along the line that may have some potential. Both of these, however, were taken in Arizona.
Sorry, I cannot help you with Camp Armstrong.
—Larry Mullaly
From: Bob_Spude@nps.gov
Larry
I had forgotten about that Watkins photo of SP construction at Pantano, Arizona not far from the New Mexico line. That would be a good example for a construction scene — nice classic SP 4-4-0 and work train. Its even in the Chihuahuan desert country representative of what would be more of the vegetation and landscape across into New Mexico.
—Robert L. Spude, Ph. D. – Regional Historian – Cultural Resources Management – National Park Service – Intermountain Region – 505.988.6770 Voice – 505.988.6876 Fax
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.
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