ENGINES IN WAR TIME SERVICE
The heavy load placed on the railroads in the United States during
World War II caused a shortage of locomotives. During this heavy demand the
Southern Pacific Railroad Company leased the three newest and superheater equiped Yosemite Valley
locomotives. These engines numbered 25, 26 and 29.
The locomotives were used in "local Service" freeing the heavier Southern Pacific engines
for "road service." The engines were run as "extra" with the YVRR number. The pilot on all three of the YVRR locomotives were rigged with
a footboard rather than the normal cow catcher type. Also, these engines as all other
locomotives had a hood over the headlights - so that they would be difficult to see
from the air. The regulations didn't take into account if the light were on the
light beam could be seen.
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