Last Rodeo - Story of SPNG 9's Last Trip in 1959 by Martin Hansen

Earlier today Martin Hansen posted the following information along with a black and white photo from  his collection by R.E. Field.  I've added the John West photo from my collection, unfortunately, I don't recall where I got it from on-line circa 2024.

While most railfan's think of Southern Pacific's last run of a steam train they likely focus on 4-8-4 #4460's run from Oakland, California to Sparks, Nevada on October 18-19, 1958. However, as we all know, SP's actual last revenue run of a steam powered train took place over a year later in the Owens Valley of Eastern California.

While mainline steam on the SP did indeed pass into history with #4460's run over Donner in the fall of 1958, SP continued to haul revenue freight on their narrow gauge Keeler Branch well into 1959. The last serviceable steam locomotive on the Keeler Branch was SP's 4-6-0 #9 shown here at Owenyo, California on the very last day of steam operations. #9 was the backup engine on the Keeler Branch ever since this 50-ton GE diesel #1 arrived in 1954. However, every time the GE had to go into SP's Bakersfield shops for servicing, #9 was fired up and handled all the chores between Keeler and Laws.

The SPNG 1 on SP 562656, an F-70-6/7, unloading at Owenyo, August 25,1959 - John West color photo, Jason Hill collection

The date is August 25, 1959 and #9 has been in service while GE #1 was in for move servicing at Bakersfield. for the pas couple of weeks. #1 has arrived back and all that the crew of #9 thought they had left to do was to unload #1 and put #9 away for the last time. However, the yard foreman told the #9 crew that there was too much work to do to set up #1 that day for service so it was up to #9 to make the run to Keeler and back for the loads waiting there.

A bit to the right from the camera of R.E. Field. - Martin Hansen collection

Fortunately a couple of railfans were there to capture this historic day, including R.E. Field who took this fine image. By the time #9 had returned to Owenyo with the loads from Keeler, diesel #1 was all set up and ready to resume her duties as the primary road engine on the narrow gauge line. Never again would the call go out to steam locomotive #9, or any other steam locomotive on the Southern Pacific for revenue service. Those days were over for all time.

Thanks to Martin Hansen for permission to copy his thoughts from his post on this topic to my Jawbone Branch blog.  All credit for research and photo from R.E. Field go to him for allowing it to be shared.

I look forward to someday having this seen able to be replicated on my layout at Owenyo.

Jason Hill

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