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Title
1974 Original Pacific Railroad Steam Locomotive No 83 Pencil Drawing Signed
Description
ORIGINAL 1974 PACIFIC RAILROAD STEAM LOCOMOTIVE No. 83 GRAPHITE DRAWING — SIGNED & FRAMED
Offered is a substantial original hand-drawn graphite/pencil railroad composition dated 1974, depicting an early American steam locomotive identified within the artwork as No. 83, pulling a tender, freight equipment and passenger car through a mountainous railroad setting.
This is an original drawing—not a photographic reproduction or modern print.
The artist devoted considerable attention to the mechanical character of the locomotive: its large driving wheels, connecting rods, pilot/cowcatcher, boiler, smokestack, headlamp, cab and tender are individually rendered. The foreground is dominated by converging railroad tracks, giving the composition considerable depth and perspective.
Especially interesting are the numerous inscriptions incorporated directly into the scene. “83” appears prominently on the locomotive’s front plate. “PACIFIC” appears on the tender, while the following freight car bears the wording “PACIFIC RAILROAD.”
At the lower right, the artist has also written “FEB. 1974” directly onto the depicted rail, providing an integral date within the actual artwork.
The reverse retains an additional handwritten artist inscription followed by “1974.” The surname appears potentially readable as Dailey/Dauley or similar, while the given name may read Janice. Because cursive handwriting can be interpreted differently, we are not representing the exact spelling of the artist’s name as definitively established. Detailed photographs of the inscription are provided so collectors and researchers may make their own assessment.
The work remains housed in its vintage presentation with a wide dark mat and antiqued frame. The reverse retains its older paper backing and a Bernie Picture Frames, 4309 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60639 framer’s label, providing an additional period-associated Chicago element to the piece.
Artwork Details
Artist: Signed on reverse; exact reading presently unidentified
Date: February 1974
Medium: Graphite/pencil on paper
Subject: Steam locomotive No. 83 and Pacific Railroad train
Visible inscriptions: “83,” “PACIFIC,” “PACIFIC RAILROAD,” and “FEB. 1974”
Presentation: Matted and framed under glass
Framing label: Bernie Picture Frames, Chicago, Illinois
Period: 1970s
The composition has tremendous appeal beyond conventional railroad art. It combines American transportation history, steam-era imagery, industrial Americana and 20th-century folk/regional drawing in a large, highly detailed presentation.
Of particular interest is the artist’s decision to portray an earlier steam-era train while dating the drawing February 1974. The locomotive, rolling stock, mountainous landscape and complex network of rails appear to have been deliberately constructed as a historical railroad scene rather than a depiction of contemporary 1974 equipment.
The artwork and frame show age consistent with a vintage piece. The original backing paper exhibits expected aging, small punctures/tears and handling wear. Reflections visible in photographs are from the protective glass and lighting. Please examine all photographs closely, as they form an important part of the description and document the drawing, inscriptions, framing and reverse.
An intriguing original work for the serious collector of railroadiana, steam locomotive art, Pacific Railroad material, transportation history, industrial Americana, vintage graphite drawings or Chicago-area estate art.
The artist’s identity remains an area for further research, making the surviving signature, February 1974 inscription and period Chicago framing label particularly worthy of preservation.
