Help Us Get Started…

Support the purchase of new locomotive starting batteries for WP #918-D, SP #1218 & U.S. Army #1856

One of the most critical components to maintaining and operating a diesel locomotive is a solid set of starting batteries. Most of the diesel locomotives we operate use EIGHT large starting batteries. Each battery is 8 volts and weighs several hundred pounds. Currently, these starting batteries cost around $1250 each. With eight needed per locomotive, the cost is around $10,000 per locomotive.

With some additional new volunteers joining our core of long time volunteers, we have started work to bring several of our locomotives back into active service. This includes Western Pacific Railroad EMD F-7 #918-D, Southern Pacific Railroad ALCO S-6 #1218, and U.S. Army Fairbanks-Morse H12-44 #1856. Each of these locomotives has a current set of batteries, but they are all close to or at the end of their life which makes it hard to do the work we need; sometimes where we may need to turn over or start the locomotive several times in one day.

Thus we are working to raise a total of $30,000 to purchase new batteries for all three locomotives. You can donate any amount or a $1250 donation will purchase one of the eight batteries for each engine. We are going to give you the chance to pick your favorite to donate to at one of the three buttons below via PayPal. We will update our progress graphic as we go on our Donate page where all of the same information as this blog post is included.

We gladly accept donations by mail.  Please make checks payable to Pacific Locomotive Association (PLA). Please note which locomotive you wish you donation to be applied: WP 918-D, SP #1218 or USA #1856.

Mail to: Pacific Locomotive Association,  P.O. Box 515, Sunol,CA 94586-0515

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Pacific Locomotive Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving California’s rich railroad history.