The Pacific Coast Railway of California was a sister organization to the Pacific Coast Railroad of Washington, with both firms owned by Pacific Coast Company.
The California unit was primarily involved in the movement of oil, while its Washington sister transported coal in and around King County. Shown here is Engine #106 of the Pacific Coast Railway, a locomotive principally used at the parent company’s holdings in San Luis Obispo.
In 1935, Engine 106 held a staring roll in the movie “Diamond Jim” with Edward Arnold. On October 10, 1937 the company hosted an excursion with a sell-out crowd of 300 rail fans for a day of fun and photography.
On August 8, 1938 at the Los Alamos Highway #135 railroad crossing, Engine 106 collided with a truck hauling gasoline resulting in the fiery death of the locomotive. Fortunately, there were no fatalities. After the fire the engine was scrapped. This photo and research comes courtesy of JoAnne Matsumura, former archivist for the Black Diamond Historical Museum.
