Sonora in Tuolumne County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Stockton Road and the Shay Engine

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2010

1. Stockton Road and the Shay Engine Marker

Inscription. For many years Stockton Road has been the main western entrance to Sonora. Originally it turned into a very narrow street at Bradford Street, and traffic would then continue into the City on Bradford.

This Shay engine was built by Lima Locomotive Works in 1910, Serial No. 2297, Cylinders 12” by 12”, 2 Truck, 60 ton. Number 3 was bought new by Standard Lumber Co., for use on its Sugar Pine Rail Road. The engine lived out its entire working life in Tuolumne County. Originally on display in Standard, it was later moved to its present location.

In 1925 the wooden cab was destroyed in a wreck with another engine near Camp Pickering. Workers at the Standard Plant fabricated the steel cab and rebuilt the engine to its present appearance.

Erected 1999 by Sonora Lions Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 37° 58.807′ N, 120° 23.308′ W. Marker is in Sonora, California, in Tuolumne County. Marker is at the intersection of West Stockton Road (State Highway 49) and Southgate Drive, on the right when traveling north on West Stockton Road. The marker and Shay engine are

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on display on the northeast corner of the intersection near the entrance to the Tuolumne County Fair Grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sonora CA 95370, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jedediah Strong Smith (approx. 0.3 miles away); Tuolumne County Jail (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Two-Story House in Sonora (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sonora Opera Hall (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sonora Fountain (approx. 0.4 miles away); Site of the Sonora Plaza Well (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sonora (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sonora Inn (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sonora.

Regarding Stockton Road and the Shay Engine. Shay #3 was put into operation in 1910 as part of the Sugar Pine Railway, the steam-logging railroad of the Standard Lumber Company, which was succeeded by the Pickering Lumber Company. The standard gauge, two truck, 60-ton locomotive pulled many flatcars of logs from the rich timberlands of the Sierra Nevada east of Sonora.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2010

2. Stockton Road and the Shay Engine Marker

Sugar Pine Railroad Shay Engine #3 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2010

3. Sugar Pine Railroad Shay Engine #3

The Marker and Shay Engine image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2010

4. The Marker and Shay Engine

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,011 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 18, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.