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| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_No._3 |
What is arguably the least known railroad in northern Arizona,
the Prescott and Arizona Central, ran from Prescott Junction (later known as
Seligman) to Prescott. Construction began in 1885 but funding, supply and
manpower shortages combined to delay the completion until 1887. The line was
mismanaged, poorly constructed, had water supply issues and with the completion
of the nearby Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway, it went under in 1893. David Myrick's excellent 5th volume on Arizona railroads has an entire chapter on this line.
Although few people know of the historic line and very
little evidence remains that it ever existed, there is a legacy from it that
has been seen by most anyone that has watched old Western movies or television
shows. It is said that the locomotive used on the line has been in more movies and
television shows then any other locomotive. It was originally built in 1891 by
the Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works for the Prescott and Arizona Central.
After the company went bankrupt, it was used on logging railroad lines in
northern California. It is a bit unclear how it made it into movies but it’s first
appearance was in 1919 and has been seen in such movies as High Noon, Back to
the Future III, Unforgiven and The Long Riders. It has shown up in most
1950s-1960s television Westerns. It appeared in other familiar TV sitcoms and
series such as Petticoat Junction, Green Acres and Little House on the Prairie.
There is a very informative Wikipedia page on it. Search on “Sierra No. 3”.
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