In the early 1900s, Southern Pacific Railroad’s decision to relocate regional operations to this area helped transform a small town once known as Junction into the City of Roseville. Southern Pacific Railroad No. 2252 became a symbol of that history and of the railroad’s social and economic impact on Roseville. Manufactured by Crooks Locomotive & Machine Company of Patterson, New Jersey, in March 1897 as one of 38 identical T-1 class locomotives built that year, it is one of only two that remain, along with No. 2248 in Texas. Classified as a 4-6-0 for its wheel arrangement of four lead carry wheels, six large drive wheels, and no trailing carry wheels, it was originally numbered SP 1838 before becoming No. 2252 when Southern Pacific changed its numbering system in 1901. The locomotive first served freight operations along the Donner Pass Line, then on May 27, 1929, was released and equipped to fight snow-shed, brush, and forest fires along the Donner Pass Route in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. After nearly three decades as a firefighting locomotive, it was officially retired on February 27, 1956, and donated to Roseville through the efforts of the Roseville Junior Chamber of Commerce. On April 25, 1956, during the Cinderama celebration marking the 50th anniversary of Southern Pacific’s relocation to Roseville, it was placed on display at the Placer County Fairgrounds. In 2001, when planned Fairgrounds expansion required relocation options to be considered, the Community Coalition for the Relocation of the 2252 was formed, and through the combined efforts of the Coalition, Roseville Historical Society, City of Roseville, Placer County Fair Board of Directors, and the community, an agreement was reached to place it on permanent display at this site. On October 13, 2004, after a ceremony with a bon voyage christening by Roseville city officials and a train whistle salute by local students, the 70 ton locomotive was transported across the city, where today the Mighty 2252 stands as a testament to Roseville’s railroad heritage.