Leviathan (locomotive)

Leviathan
Leviathan replica at 2009 train festival in Owosso, Michigan
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderSchenectady Locomotive Works (original)
Dave Kloke (Kloke Locomotive Works) (replica)
Serial number512 (original)
[1]
Build dateSeptember 1868 (original)
2009 (replica)
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte4-4-0
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Fuel typeWood, converted to coal in 1893
Career
OperatorsCentral Pacific Railroad, Southern Pacific Railroad
Numbers63 (CP), renumbered 1197 in 1891
Replica renumbered PRR 331 in 2018
Official nameLeviathan
First runApril 5, 1869
Current ownerStone Gable Estates (Replica)
DispositionOriginal scrapped in 1901, replica built in 2009 and is operational on the Harrisburg, Lincoln and Lancaster Railroad

The Leviathan, officially known as Central Pacific #63, was a 4-4-0 steam locomotive owned by the Central Pacific Railroad. It was notable for helping construct the First transcontinental railroad before hauling Leland Stanford's special train, which was then passed on to sister engine #60, the Jupiter, to take part in the railroad's completion in 1869.

The Leviathan was built in September 1868 by the Schenectady Locomotive Works in New York, along with three other identical engines, numbered 60, 61, and 62, respectively named the Jupiter, Storm, and Whirlwind. These were dismantled and sailed to San Francisco, California, before being sent to the Central Pacific headquarters in Sacramento for reassembly. The Jupiter was the first to be commissioned into service on March 20, 1869, followed by the Whirlwind on April 4 of that year, and the Storm and Leviathan entered service the following day, April 5, 1869.

  1. ^ Best, Gerald M (1969). Iron Horses to Promontory. New York: Golden West.