Sierra Speaker Series: How Southern Pacific Cab Forward Locomotives were Invented for Donner Pass

Have you seen the cab-forward locomotive at the California State Railroad Museum?  Did you know that these big locomotives were designed specifically to cope with Donner Summit’s tunnels? Come find out why the old Southern Pacific wanted the big locomotives, what the problems were with these locomotives, how the railroad solved those problems, and why we don’t see steam engines anymore.

Jerry Blackwill Bio:

Jerry is president of both the Truckee Donner Railroad Society and the Museum of Truckee History.  As president, he works with Truckee’s historical teams to research Truckee’s railroads, build exhibits about them, write articles about them, and give historical presentations like this. He also teaches economics at Sierra College and was Board President of the Sierra State Parks Foundation.  He has degrees from UCLA and the University of Chicago.

The monthly Sierra Speaker Series connects folks to the rich cultural and natural history of the area. Join us on May 14th at Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center to learn and engage! Doors open at 5 pm, and the presentation is to follow at 5:30 pm. Admission is a suggested $5 donation. Light refreshments will be available. Parking is free after 5 pm.