McCloud River Railroad Company
Locomotive #23

Alco 2-6-2
Built- 5/1925
c/n- 66317
Drivers- 46"
Cylinders- 17x24
Weight- 130,000 lbs.
Boiler pressure- 185 lbs.
Tractive effort- 23,700 lbs.
The #23 on the turntable at McCloud. Note this high headlight, which is why the bell is positioned as high as it is. The headlight was originally mounted in the center of the smokebox on all four Alco prairies delivered to the railroad in 1925, but a problem was encountered with the headlights on the #22 and #23 being knocked off by the woods crews while coupling the locomotives to loaded log cars. The shop tried moving the headlight on the #23 to the top of the smokebox, but a flimsy bracket was used, with the result that the headlight kept breaking off when mounted there too. In the end the shop re-mounted the headlight back to the center of the smokebox, using a much stronger bracket. This rare photo was taken during the brief time that the headlight was mounted on the top of the smokebox.
Another view of the #23 with its high mounted headlight. T.E. Glover collection.
The #23 and its crew in the woods. T.E. Glover collection.
The #23 powering a work train out in the woods. T.E. Glover collection.
The #23 waiting its turn to take water at Ditch Creek. Note the addition of the powered reverser. Dennis Sullivan collection.
The #23 at Pondosa. Jerry Lamper collection.
The #23 in McCloud in September 1948. Guy L. Dunscomb image.
The #23 was perhaps as close to a bad luck locomotive the McCloud River had, as it seemed to get into more than its share of accidents. The following three photos were taken shortly after the #23 split a switch somewhere close to Pondosa. Photos are courtesy of Dennis Sullivan.

The #23 spent most of its last few years in McCloud sitting outside the end of the roundhouse. T.E. Glover collection.

Doug Richter took this fine shot of the Arcata & Mad River #11, formerly McCloud River #23, outside the A&MR's enginehouse in Korbel, California, on 11 August 1953.