Historic steam locomotive at Roeding Park headed to Kingsburg Depot for living museum

FRESNO CO, Calif. (FOX26) — A piece of Central Valley railroad history is on the move.

The Friends of the Historic Kingsburg Depot say Southern Pacific steam locomotive No. 1238 is expected to arrive at the Kingsburg Depot between noon and 1 PM on Monday, depending on traffic and loading conditions.

The locomotive, originally built in 1918, has been on display at Roeding Park in Fresno for decades and was donated to the Kingsburg group by the City of Fresno in 2022.

It once operated throughout the San Joaquin Valley before retiring in 1956.

Once in Kingsburg, the engine will become part of a living railroad history museum.

We are thrilled to have kept this engine in Fresno County and make it part of our living railroad history museum in Kingsburg.

Plans for it include 350 feet of display track, restoration work, security fencing, lighting, and utility upgrades.

Organizers say about $190,000 has been raised for the project through donations and community support.