Running a Steam Locomotive Vol. 4: The Crew of the 2472

Neil Vodden and John Teshara ran the Southern Pacific's Pacific #2472 when it was in daily service. Neil was widely respected as one of the most knowledgeable experts on SP steam motive power, and his love for the machine shines through in this very detailed close up of the fine points of passenger locomotive technology and train handling. When we filmed Neil and John and hostler John Sloan for Vol. 2, there was no way to include everything they taught us. We present the additional material here for the true steam locomotive aficionado. This fully restored classic Pacific was built by Baldwin in 1921 and returned to operation by the Golden Gate Railroad Museum at the first California Railfair. The porducer thinks the 2472 is the most beautiful locomotive he has ever seen.