Gov. Stanford

Gov. Stanford is a 4-4-0 steam locomotive originally built in 1862 by Norris Locomotive Works. It entered service on November 9, 1863 and it was used in the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad in North America by Central Pacific Railroad bearing road number 1. It was Central Pacific's first locomotive and it is named in honor of the road's first president and ex-California governor, Leland Stanford.

Gov. Stanford
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Norris Locomotive Works Serial number 1040 Build date 1862
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-4-0 Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 54 in (1,372 mm) Adhesive weight 35,700 lb (16,200 kg) rebuilt Loco weight 50,000 lb (23,000 kg), 56,000 lb (25,000 kg) rebuilt Boiler pressure 100 psi (690 kPa), 125 psi (860 kPa) rebuilt Cylinder size 15 in × 22 in (381.0 mm × 558.8 mm) bore × stroke; 16 in × 22 in (406.4 mm × 558.8 mm) bore × stroke rebuilt
Performance figures Tractive effort 7,791 lbf (34,660 N), 11,081 lbf (49,291 N) rebuilt
Career Operators Central Pacific, Southern Pacific Numbers 1, renum. 1174 in 1891 Official name Gov. Stanford First run November 9, 1863 Retired July 20, 1895 Current owner Stanford University, loaned to Pacific Coast chapter R&LHS Disposition static display at the California State Railroad Museum

The locomotive was rebuilt on 1878 with larger cylinders and an increased boiler pressure, which increased its tractive effort to 11,081 pounds-force (49,290 N). In 1891 the locomotive was renumbered to 1174. The locomotive was retired from regular service on July 20, 1895, then donated to Stanford University; however, it was not delivered to the university until 1899. The locomotive was disassembled and stored during World War II but was returned to display at the university after reassembly by retired Southern Pacific engineer Billy Jones. In the 1960s, the university needed the space occupied by the engine for other uses, so the engine was removed and loaned to the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society, which had been in the process of collecting historic locomotives and rolling stock to be displayed in what would ultimately become the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. The locomotive is currently a centerpiece at the museum where it has been cosmetically restored to its 1899 appearance.