J.W. Bowker engine # 21, a photo from California, West

Photographer's Note

In my youth I was fascinated by trains. My Dad bought me an American Flyer model train set in my youth, and I progressed in my early teen years to HO then N gauge model trains. Many moons later I became a California Rail Transportation analyst, and got paid to work with all things trains (Kowabungaa!).

This is Baldwin Locomotives engine #21 built by master mechanic J.W. Bowker (type 2-4-0). Built in 1875 using a powerful Knowles steam water pump atop its boiler originally for firefighting purposes. Engine 21 would serve many years duty in the mining works at Virginia City, Nevada.

The J.W. Bowker was also used in movies later, notably in the 1939 epic Union Pacific. More people have probably seen #21 on the "silver screen" than in person. But today the public can see it up close and personal at the CALIFORNIA STATE RAILROAD MUSEUM.

reference - http://www.csrmf.org

Noel_Byrne, delpeoples has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Oceania (2141) 2013-03-07 5:43

Hi Ray,

Our Olde Town has very similar train engine in display.

cargus (6456) 2013-03-07 5:46

Beautiful composition, beautiful colors, well framed and rendered image well.!
cordially
Adrian

EstelleJ (921) 2013-03-07 13:59

Hi Ray,
I understand your fascination with trains, especially the old style. They had a certain charm about them, and even though they were not nearly as efficient in speed as modern ones, they looked much more attractive. That's why probably they are very popular as museum displays these days. I went for a ride on a couple of occasions on the old style train, operated by steam, if I remember correctly, in historic Bucks County and in Lancaster Co. in Pennsylvania, through a beautiful countryside - that was quite thrilling,,,almost literally going back in time!
Thanks for sharing this nice photo!
Regards,
Jenna

Noel_Byrne (7352) 2013-03-08 8:00

Hi Ray,
very beautiful locomotive. Is it ususal for the cowscooper on the front to have its own wheels? I've never seen this before.

Nice play of shadow on the engine too.
Cheers
Noel

delpeoples (44904) 2013-03-22 0:53

Dear Choo Choo Ray

You're like a kid in a lollyshopwith all these great trains. Excellent photo, lovely tones and good sharpness. Nice work and have a good weekend.

Best regards
Lisa