The historic Southern Pacific Engine 1238, which resided at Roeding Park for decades, made its move to the Kingsburg Railroad Depot on Monday. Photo via Miguel Arias Facebook page

The historic Southern Pacific Engine 1238, which resided at Roeding Park for decades, made its move to the Kingsburg Railroad Depot on Monday.

The relocation required extensive coordination among many local partners, specialists and transportation professionals, with great emphasis on ensuring the locomotive was moved safely.

The 1918 Baldwin steam locomotive was donated to the Friends of the Historic Kingsburg Depot (FKHD) by the City of Fresno in September 2022.

It worked in the San Joaquin Valley from 1918 until it was retired in 1956.

The Historic Depot Project in Kingsburg includes 350 feet of new display track, restoration work on the locomotive, installation of decorative security fencing around the display track area, extension of electrical service into the track area with the addition of lighting for security and safe pedestrian access and extension of water service to the track area.

The FKHD raised $190,000 for this project with the help of members, private donors, Kingsburg Lion’s Club, Leon S. Peters Foundation, and Fresno County Supervisor Buddy Mendes.

The Train Depot opened in 2016 as an effort to preserve the role railroads played in the development of the San Joaquin Valley, specifically the 1872 San Joaquin Valley Line of the Central Pacific Railroad.

“We are thrilled to have kept this engine in Fresno County and make it part of our living railroad history museum in Kingsburg, said FHKD President-CEO and former Kingsburg Mayor Michelle Roman. “I had this vision for this locomotive to come to the Kingsburg Depot for a long time.”