One of the most famous operational steam engines, the Sierra Rogers 4-6-0 (“ten-wheeler”) locomotive, is running again in Jamestown. After being down, for its federally mandated 1,472-day boiler inspection (repairs and upgrades) since about 2021, this movie star/movie train is chugging the rails, pulling rail car excursions with thrilled fans.
This locomotive has a strong history, with special duties in television shows and movies being a major part in later years. The locomotive was built in 1891 by the Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works of Patterson, New Jersey. The locomotive was built for the Prescott & Arizona Central Railway (P&AC), where it was identified as #3 and named after their company treasurer, “W.N. Kelley.” The locomotive was built for mixed freight, performing both passenger and freight duties. When the P&AC went bankrupt in 1893, it was moved from Arizona to Oakdale, California, where it served as Sierra Railway #3. Originally, it was built as a “coal fired” locomotive and later converted to “oil fired” around 1900 to 1902.
Why is the locomotive called a 4-6-0? In the early years of railroading, it was very difficult, and often confusing, to accurately identify a locomotive type. A mechanical engineer with the New York Central named F.M Whyte, came up with a fairly simple solution. By using the number of wheels, location and wheel type on the locomotive, it became clear. The Whyte notation simply divides the wheels of a steam locomotive into three or more sets. Those are the driving wheels – typically larger sized and powered by steam using cylinders, pistons and linkages – located directly under the boiler. Then count in pairs, left and right side; the smaller wheels, if any, in front of the boiler and the smaller wheels, pairs of wheels; left and right side, behind the boiler, if any. The 4-6-0 has four wheels (two pairs; two on each side) in front of the boiler, 6 drive wheels (three pairs; 3 wheels on each side) under the boiler and no wheels aft of the boiler and driving wheels. Some steam locomotives have more than one set of driving wheels. The famous Union Pacific “Big Boy” had four in front of the boiler, two sets of four driving wheels under the boiler and four wheels aft of the boiler so was known as a 4-8-8-4 locomotive.
The Sierra #3 served in freight, passenger and helper service as an additional locomotive in heavier loaded trains until 1932. At that time, it was retired and stored near the Jamestown Roundhouse. In 1948, it was overhauled and restored to operating condition for movie and excursion service duties. In 1995, the #3 was removed from service, pending major repairs. The federal regulations for steam locomotive operations were updated in 1990. This led to the decision to replace the original Roger-built boiler on the engine. The restoration to be represented by the locomotive would be of the 1920 period. To do this, a completely new boiler had to be constructed, utilizing all the proper dimensions and designs of the original, based on the drawings of the era. Fundraising promotions were done to gather the money needed to complete the task and actor Clint Eastwood was a big vocal supporter and promoter due to his involvement with the train through movies and TV and the special history involved with the locomotive and the Jamestown Roundhouse. The locomotive was back in service for excursion service in 2010 until the aforementioned required inspections in 2021.
The locomotive appeared in many movies including Academy Award winning “High Noon”, Clint Eastwood’s Academy Award winning “Unforgiven”, “Back to the Future III” and many others. It was also featured in many TV Shows like “Bonanza”, “The Rifleman”, “Petticoat Junction”, “Death Valley Days” (with Ronald Regan), “Wild, Wild West”, “Rawhide” (with Clint Eastwood), “The Big Valley”, “Iron horse”, “Gunsmoke” and a long list of others. This is how it became known as the “Movie Train”.
Now back up and running, since July 12, 2025, the plans are for it to make the 6.5-mile, roughly 45-minute, train excursion runs two weekends each month. On site photography is welcomed by the staff, as long as you stay off the tracks being used. If you enjoy trains, especially steam engines, this trip is a must. You can also get guided tours of the historical engine roundhouse and viewing of the other steam locomotives (#2 3-truck Shay; has three sets of gear driven wheels, #28 Baldwin 2-8-0 and #34 Baldwin 2-8-2 Mikado), many of the movie props and miscellaneous equipment.
The train excursion is one designed to be fun for the whole family.
