2: San Rafael
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NPC Engine No 2, San Rafael

Acquired in 1874, she was one of two Mason Bogies actually run on the North Pacific Coast, the only with the 0-4-4T wheel arrangement.  She may have had the longest continuous service of any Mason Bogie, serving until at least 1908.  She was scrapped in 1912.  She was referred to as the Jackrabbit.  Her ability to accelerate quickly was due to the fact her boiler weight was directly above her drive wheels.  

She was selected and served for many years as the Mill Valley Local. Mill Valley lacked a turntable and the san Rafael operated equally well in forward or reverse.  She and her and her crew were beloved by the people in Mill Valley.  After the Mill Valley Branch was electrified she served as a utility and construction engine throughout the line.

She also went through a series of changes to her configuration.  She may have been the only Mason Bogie to have run on three different fuels -- wood, coal, and oil.  While no photo exists of her carrying a coal load, her Mason stable mate, the Bully Boy was photographed with a coal load. 

Prototype 

No builders photo has been found for the San Rafael.  It is likely she was nearly identical to No 7 of the Rivere du Loup RR in New Brunswick, Canada which carried Mason builders No 531 as compared to the San Rafael's No 537.

The following series of photos show the transition in equipment of the San Rafael over her years of service.

This shot shows her pushing an inspection at Millwood in 1890.  Note the 1870s style cab, the smoke stack and the rear mounted pilot.

Source - "Narrow Gauge to the Redwoods" - Graves - p73

This photo, from 1892 shows the San Rafael on its way to Mill Valley from the train shed in Sauselito.  Note that the cab has been replaced with a 1880s style cab.  The box style kerosene headlight has been replaced with an electrified version.  Brakes have been upgraded to Westinghouse brakes.

Source - "Narrow Gauge to the Redwoods" - p74
Dolled up for the 4th of July at Millwood, July 1901.  Note the change to the smokestack.

Source - "Narrow Gauge to the Redwoods" - p27

Click picture for a larger image.
She was damaged in a fire in 1905 along with the Bully Boy.  She was rebuilt, then scrapped in 1912.  This photo shows her sporting a new metal post-rebuild cab in work train duty at Cazadero.  She also no longer sports the distinctive Mason bell hanger and now has side marker lights.  At this point the North Shore RR has replaced the NPC.

Source - "Narrow Gauge to the Redwoods" - p110
Another post-rebuild shot at the San Quentin ferry landing in 1906.  Note the oil bunker peeking out the top of her tender.

Source - "The Northwestern Pacific Railroad" - Stindt - p34.

 

The Model

I'll be scratch building the San Rafael as part of the MasterClass 2002 project at MyLargeScale.com.  Power will come from a custom Barrys Big Trains drive train.  I certainly have plenty of choices on configuration and period.  I want to model her as a NPC engine and do not like the looks of her metal cab after rebuild.  However, it would be interesting to have the only Mason Bogie that legitimately sported an oil bunker.

Because the Bully Boy (No 8) will be modeled in as in the builder's photo, I'll probably base her on either the 1890 or 1892 photo with the 1880's style cab.  My main choice comes down to straight stack or balloon stack.  Maybe I'll build both stacks so I can switch it out based on my mood.

David Fletcher has been kind enough to produce a CAD drawing of the San Rafael.  I'll base the construction on his drawing, these photos, and the detailed instructions he has prepared for MC 2002.

This project is on hold until fall.

(c) 2007 Iron Horse 1:29