Southern Pacific Railroad
Locomotive 2355
April 3rd Council Study Session will include a
presentation regarding the progress of citizen's
fundraising committee.
For more information about the citizens
fundraising committee, contact Rene' Wood at
480-862-3169, or e-mail rwoodtrain@cox.net.
Donations are now be accepted. Please make
checks payable to Foundation for Mesa Parks and
Recreation, with a notation for the Train
Project.
Please mail donations to:
Foundation for Mesa Parks and Recreation
PO Box 4121
Mesa, AZ 85211-4121
The City of Mesa is giving its residents a
chance to save a piece of history.
A citizen-driven fundraising committee is being
established to spare Southern Pacific Railroad
Locomotive #2355, located in Pioneer Park, from
being sold. The engine, which has been located at
the park since 1958, has deteriorated severely and
is in need of complete restoration. The fundraising
committee will be charged with raising up to
$350,000 for restoration of the train.
The Mesa City Council has approved the formation
of a citizen's fundraising group after efforts to
sell the locomotive were suspended due to community
feedback. Three independent organizations had
inquired about purchasing #2355.
The committee has approximately 60 days to raise
$10,000, at which time Council will revisit the
issue and hear input from the committee on whether
to continue fundraising efforts to restore the
train, or to sell it.
The first Citizens Fundraising Committee Meeting
is scheduled for Wednesday, February 20th, at 6:00p.
This meeting will be held at the Parks, Recreation
and Commercial Facilities Office, 200 S. Center St.,
Building 1, Mesa.
Citizens interested in participating should call
480-644-5783, or e-mail
melanie.dykstra@cityofmesa.org to have their
name put on an interest list. A staff representative
will contact all interested parties.
History of Southern Pacific Railroad #2355*
Steam locomotive #2355 was built for
the Southern Pacific Railroad in October 1912 by
Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia.
Locomotive #2355 is a T-31 Class 4-6-0 built as a
dual service locomotive for smaller passenger and
freight trains. A typical use for the 4-6-0,
or 10 wheeler, was as commuter train service, as
they could accelerate trains to track speed from the
many passenger stops.
The no. 2355 was the third locomotive
constructed in a series of nine identical 4-6-0
locomotives for the Southern Pacific Railroad with
the Class T-31 designation. There are two
other examples of the T-31 class that survived, the
2352 and 2353, both on exhibit in California.
The no. 2355 operated several million
miles during its 45 years of service, until it was
relegated to standby service as the Southern Pacific
and other railroads were converted to diesel power.
Southern Pacific Railroad retired 2355 in late 1957
and it was set for scrapping when it was given to
the City of Mesa for exhibit. A donation
ceremony was held on April 12, 1958.
*from Site Survey, prepared by
Steam Operations Corporation
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