Southern Pacific Railroad 'C9' class 2-8-0 No. 2581. Built by Baldwin circa 1906 as a class of 87 oil-fired locomotives, all withdrawn by 1958.

This September 1950 view sees the oil-fired 2581 at Monterey on the California coast about 120 miles south of San Francisco. As with many American locomotives, the design allows for very good access to the motion and therefore looks 'cluttered' by British standards!

© Steve Armitage Collection