Virginia and Truckee #25 (First)

This is the first Virginia & Truckee locomotive #25. This locomotive arrived at the railroad in 1901, but it was too large for the rails on the V&T. This engine was sold and the number 25 was reused on another engine in 1905. Here the locomotive is in a field in California, retired after decades of service on other railroads.

Date Uploaded: June 7, 2026

Permanent Link: http://wnhpc.com/details/fb26186013594323546

Contributor: Martin Hansen on Facebook

Source: Facebook: Martin Hansen

Source URL: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=26186013594323546&set=gm.688869164192569&idorvanity=188010054278485

Source Caption: She might not look like much sitting in a field in Macdoel, California in June, 1936, but she had quite a history to her nonetheless. Her proud lines still show through, even though her paint is failing fast.

This 50-ton 4-4-0 was built in 1889 by the Rhode Island Locomotive Works for the Union Pacific Railroad. She was that roads #655. We can see that number reappearing on the sand dome through the peeling paint of later roads.

In 1901 she sold by UP to a locomotive dealer named F. M. Hicks who in turn sold her to the Virginia & Truckee RR of Carson City, Nevada. The purchase price paid by the V&T's master mechanic I. N. Fording was $4,000.00. She was the first addition to the V&T roster of motive power in over 25 years. Even before she arrived at Carson City, she was converted from coal to wood fuel and painted and lettered as the V&T #25.
#25 was intended for the run from Carson City to Virginia City. Unfortunately, she was 11 tons heavier than any previous V&T locomotive and on her first run to Virginia City she broke rails on that line in over a dozen spots. On her return to Carson City, she was immediately parked and her V&T lettering painted over. In short order she was put up for sale.

Fortunately, in 1902 the Towle Brothers of California took a liking to her and bought her for $5,000. When they were through with her the Read Brothers Lumber Co. bought her and then, later, the American Fruit Express Company of MacDoel, California bought her for their operation. She was still in service at Macdoel when the Great Depression caused American Fruit to close for good. They simply left #25 out in the weather only to be visited from time to time by Railfans passing through the area such as Doug Richter who took this view of her. Finally, in 1937, she was worth more as scrap than anything else and she would disappear for all time.

Even though she spent less time on the roster of the Virginia & Truckee, that is the railroad for whom she is always associated with.

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