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Western Pacific 165 is an 0-6-0 switching locomotive built by the Schenectady Works of the American Locomotive Company. This engine was used at many of the WP's rail yards, including Stockton,
Sacramento and Portola. It was built in November, 1919, for the United Verde Copper Company of Jerome, Arizona, as their number 87. On September 17, 1927, the 165 and three sister UVCC engines
were sold to the WP and become the road's S-34 class, numbered 163-166.
These burly switchers supplemented WP's 12 existing 0-6-0s, but some 2-8-0s in working the various yards. The 165 last operated in March, 1953, as WP was winding down its last steam operations. The
engine was retired in October, 1957. Five years later, the engine was donated to the City of San Leandro. The engine was displayed for many years at the San Leandro BART station, before being
transferred to the Alameda County Fairgrounds for display there. It was later acquired by the Pacific Locomotive Association and was eventually acquired by the FRRS in a trade with a later owner.
On March 1, 2006, the 165 returned to Portola on a museum flatcar, marking the return of WP steam power to Plumas County for the first time in nearly 50 years.
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What railroad museum would be complete without a steam locomotive?
While the Western Pacific Railroad Museum is well known for having one of the largest collections of historic diesels in the
world, Portola is also home to Western Pacific Railroad Museum's steam program. The 0-6-0 steam switching locomotive
WP 165 has been restored and is used for special operations. Our steam department is headed by Roger Stabler. Assisting Roger is retired head of Union Pacific's steam program, Steve Lee, and a large group of "Willing People" working to keep Western Pacific steam on the "Feather River Route" for the first time in over 50 years.
