Description: Typewritten explanation for images TRR0293 and TRR0293A from L.C. Kearney; Engine No. 2623 in fire break in Snowsheds west of Truckee; picture taken about 1917. This is a picture of S.P. Co. locomotive no. 2623 taken in a fire break in the snow sheds west of Truckee, about 1917. The 2600 class locomotives had slide valves and as they were sent to the back shops for an over haul and repairs they were changed to piston valves. By the early 1920s all of the 2600 class locomotives were piston valve. The fire breaks in the snow sheds were a section of shed set on a track and after the winter storms were over this section of snow shed was pulled back or telescoped back into the sheds leaving an opening to break a fire. In the fall after the fire danger and the winter storms were about to start these sections were pulled closed again. You will notice the opening was fenced to keep the cattle from getting on the track or into the sheds. At this time all openings in the sheds were fenced as in the summer there were lots of cattle grazing but today there no cattle in this part of the mountains. At this date the railroad had about forty miles of snow sheds extending from Blue Canyon to Truckee. At this date there are a very few miles of snowsheds left and they are mostly concrete. L.C. Kearney
Photographer/artist:
Date taken: Circa 1917
Photo location:
Type: photo
Subject: Snowshed history and fire breaks
County:
Source: TDHS Collection
References:
Contributor:
Notes: Original image is 1.2 MB. Also FIR0040
Rights:
Identifier: TRR0293B
Serial Number: 1180
Donation: Trains - Construction, Locomotives, Fire (TRR) collection (#10)
