Power type Steam Build date February 1875 | Serial number 3693 Configuration 4-4-0 | |
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Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works Gauge 4 ft 8 ⁄2 in (1,435 mm) | ||
The Inyo, a 4-4-0 "American", was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1875, and pulled both passenger and freight trains. The Inyo weighs 68,000 lb (31,000 kg). Its 57 in (140 cm) driving wheels deliver 11,920 lb (5,410 kg) of tractive force. In 1877 it was fitted with air brakes, and in 1910 it was converted to burn oil rather than wood.
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Inyo was retired on September 9, 1926. It was kept in generally working order, to provide a source of spare parts for another V&T locomotive, the Reno.
It was sold to Paramount Pictures in March 1937 for $1,250. Though not rebuilt by the studio as was the Dayton (another V&T locomotive also purchased by the studio at the time), the engine was repainted and renumbered for use in motion pictures.
Film history
The Inyo starred in High, Wide, and Handsome in 1937, followed by roles in Union Pacific, Red River and as the Texas in Disney's The Great Locomotive Chase in 1956. In 1962 she played the Southern Pacific #9 in the John Wayne feature McLintock!. She was featured in the 1960s television series The Wild Wild West wearing both the number 8 and 22. In all, the locomotive appeared in over 20 film productions.
Post-retirement
In 1937 the locomotive was sold to Paramount Pictures. In 1969 the locomotive participated in ceremonies for the centennial of the Golden Spike. Inyo was decorated to look like the Central Pacific's Jupiter. It remained at the Golden Spike National Historic Site throughout most of the 1970s. In 1974 the locomotive was sold to the State of Nevada, but it remained in Utah while a brand-new replica locomotive was built to replace it. Inyo finally arrived at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City in late 1978.
An assessment of the locomotive showed that the Inyo was in good shape, and it was chosen for a full restoration to steam operation. Inyo was completed next year, debuting on May 29, 1983.
The Inyo remains in Carson City, where it steams up and runs around the museum's track on selected dates, most notably July 4 every year. It was brought to Las Vegas for the month of April 1984 to mark the grand opening of the railroad-themed Palace Station casino.