Locomotive No. 1 at Strawberry Creek on the Telegraph Line. This is the north end of the Telegraph Line at today's Sather Gate on the University of California campus. The trees in the background mark Strawberry Creek and the border of the campus when the photo was taken. Locomotive No. 1 operated on the Telegraph Avenue line from June 1886 to probably November 1889 when it may have been replaced by Porter c/n 1088. It was used on Telegraph Avenue from 36th Street to Strawberry Creek, Berkeley. Steam power was not allowed below 36th Street within the City Limits of Oakland.
The Telegraph Avenue Line was part of the Oakland Railroad and a separate corporation from the SPC owned by James Fair and sold to the Pacific Improvement Corp. at the same time the SPC was sold to the Southern Pacific. The Oakland Railroad was never able to obtain a franchise from the City of Oakland to operate steam locomotives within the City Limits. The steam portion connected with horse cars at 36th street.
