Southern Pacific Railroad No. 3930 – Class MM-3 – 2-6-6-2 Articulated Mallet Steam Locomotive – Vintage Photo Negative
Offered is a black-and-white photographic negative depicting Southern Pacific Railroad locomotive No. 3930, an exceptionally interesting and uncommon Class MM-3 articulated compound Mallet steam locomotive.
The photograph captures a detailed three-quarter side view of this impressive locomotive, clearly showing its massive boiler, articulated running gear, driving wheels, cylinders, exterior piping, cab number 3930, and Southern Pacific lettered tender.
Historical Background:
Southern Pacific No. 3930 was one of only two locomotives in the railroad\'s MM-3 class.
Originally built in 1920 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) at Schenectady, New York, these 2-6-6-2 articulated steam locomotives were constructed for the Verde Tunnel & Smelter Railroad in Arizona.
Southern Pacific acquired the two locomotives in 1943, renumbering them 3930 and 3931.
Unlike Southern Pacific\'s more famous cab-forward articulated locomotives, the MM-3 engines retained a conventional smokebox-forward configuration and compound steam operation.
These unusual locomotives worked primarily in Southern California during their Southern Pacific careers.
No. 3930 remained in service until 1954.
Photographic Details:
Railroad: Southern Pacific Railroad (SP)
Locomotive Number: 3930
Class: MM-3
Wheel Arrangement: 2-6-6-2
Type: Articulated Compound Mallet Steam Locomotive
Builder: ALCO, Schenectady
Built: 1920
Original Owner: Verde Tunnel & Smelter Railroad
Photograph Era: Approximately 1943–1954
Format: Black-and-white photographic negative shows signs of age and handling, including visible surface scratches, marks, and possible photographic imperfections. Slight smell due to age. Item as pictured.
The image appears to reproduce an existing photographic print, including its surrounding borders, suggesting that this may be a vintage copy negative rather than an original in-camera exposure.
The precise production date of the negative has not been established.
Please examine the provided photographs carefully to evaluate the condition and image quality.
An excellent historical subject for collectors of Southern Pacific Railroad, ALCO steam locomotives, articulated Mallets, Arizona mining railroads, and vintage railroad photography.
Sale includes the physical photographic negative pictured, not a photographic print.
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