California Western 45

California Western Railroad 45 is a III class 2-8-2 "Mikado" type steam locomotive, built in October 1924 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works (BLW), it is located at the California Western Railroad (CWR), a.k.a. the world-famous Skunk Train, in Fort Bragg, California.^[3]

California Western Railroad 45
No. 45, seen here at the water tower in Fort Bragg, California (c. 1976), prepares to depart for Willits with the "Super Skunk"
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works Serial number 58045 Model 12-32 1/4 E[1] Build date October 1924
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-8-2  • UIC 1′D1′ h2 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver dia. 44 in (1.118 m) Wheelbase Engine: 28.50 ft (8.69 m); Drivers: 12.08 ft (3.68 m); Total: 50.35 ft (15.35 m) Axle load 30,000 pounds (13.6 tonnes) Adhesive weight 120,000 pounds (54.4 tonnes) Loco weight 152,000 pounds (68.9 tonnes) Total weight 236,000 pounds (107.0 tonnes) Fuel type Oil Fuel capacity 1,500 imp gal (6,800 L; 1,800 US gal) Water cap. 4,000 imp gal (18,000 L; 4,800 US gal) Boiler pressure 180 psi (1.24 MPa) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 19 in × 24 in (483 mm × 610 mm) Valve gear Walschaerts Valve type Piston Train brakes Automatic air
Performance figures Maximum speed 72km/h (45mph) Power output 5220; plus superheater % = 6107; substitute firebox for grate area = 33275 Tractive effort 30,127 lbf (134.01 kN) Factor of adh. 3.98
Career Operators Owen-Oregon Lumber Co. Medford Corporation California Western Railroad Mendocino Railway Class III Numbers Medford Corporation 3 CWR 45 CWR 44 Nicknames Super Skunk Retired 1964 (revenue seevice) 1980 (1st excursion service) Restored July 10, 1965 (1st excursion service) 1983 (2nd excursion service) Current owner Mendocino Railway Disposition Undergoing 1,472-day inspection and overhaul
References:[1][2]

History

No. 45 was built in October 1924 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works (BLW) for the Owen-Oregon Lumber Company, (Brownlee-Olds Lumber Co., later the Medford Corporation) where it hauled lumber until its retirement in 1964.^[3] The Medford Corporation sold No. 45 to the California Western Railroad (CWR) in 1965.^[2] It was restored to running condition and made its first inaugural run for the railroad on July 10, 1965.^[2] The Mendocino Railway, a subsidiary of Sierra Northern, purchased the railroad on December 17, 2003, after the California Western filed for bankruptcy.^[4][2]

Between 1965 and 1980, No. 45, along with stablemate No. 46, (a 2-6-6-2 Mallet), pulled the railroad's Fort Bragg - Willits summer steam excursion train, the "Super Skunk".^[1][2] The California Western discontinued steam service in 1981.^[1][2] In 1984, No. 46 was donated to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum (PSRM), as a result of high maintenance costs, and the opinion that the locomotive was too light on its feet.^[2] (No. 46 was a saddle-tank locomotive, before California Western added a tender and removed the aforementioned tank.)

In 1983, after two-year operational hiatus, the locomotive briefly returned to service, and was renumbered No. 44 for a role in Racing with the Moon.^[1][2] The locomotive retained this number for several months.^[1]

In 2001, the locomotive was removed from service for an overhaul. The locomotive returned to service in May 2004, and operated regular "Skunk Train" service to Northspur Wednesday through Saturday, May through October.^[5] No. 45 began to show its age, and, as a result, the Sierra Railroad discontinued the Super Skunk service to Willits. No. 45 occasionally traveled to Willits for special events, although a diesel helper was required for additional power and dynamic braking. In 2015, the locomotive was removed from service once again for a mandated rebuild, and as of 2024, overhaul work is still in progress.^[3]