Southern Pacific 5021
number 5021 is an SP-2 class 4-10-2 steam locomotive built in 1926 by ALCO at their Schenectady, New York, shops. It is the only member of this class of SP locomotives to be preserved, and it is one of only five 3-cylinder locomotives preserved in North America.
It was designed to haul mixed freight and passenger trains over the Sierra Nevada range between northern California and Nevada. Later in its career, 5021 was shifted to service in Oregon, until its retirement in 1955. SP donated 5021 to the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society on March 8, 1956. It was restored to operating condition in 1961 and ran till 1963. In the early 1970’s, a Possible excursion career for the 5021 was being arranged by the A.T.S.F but the plans were scrapped. 5021 sat in San Bernardino till 1976 when it was moved back to the museum when Southern Pacific 4449 was on display with the American Freedom Train in the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds
5021 is currently on static display at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona, California, where you can go in the cab and if you’re lucky enough to blow its loud air compressed S.P 6 Chime Whistle
The engine itself made a cameo appearance in the 1994 Kidsongs Video: Boppin' with the biggles, and also played the ghost train in Sometimes They Come Back.
