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Prototype photos by G. R. Cockle UNION PACIFIC "Dash 8-40CW" Nos. 9356-9405 OMI #5154 Coming this Summer and will include Norfolk Southern " Dash 8-32B", OMI #5351 ; Conrail " Dash 8- 40CW", OMI #5352; and Canadian National " Das h 8-40CM" full body unit, OMI #5353. PACIFIC RAIL Fro m the Heartland t 0 the Pacific NEWS

7eACIFIC RAILNEWS and PACIFIC NEWS are regis­ tered trademarks of Interurban Press, a California Corporation. PUBLISHER: Mac Sebree Santa Fels Warbonnet Week: The GP60Ms Arrive EDITOR: Don Gulbrandsen ART DIRECTOR: Mark Danneman The newest Super Fleet power is delivered amid much fanfare ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Mike Schafer ASSISTANT EDITOR: Elrond Lawrence 24 Elrond G. Lawrence EDITORIAL CONSULTANT: Dick Stephenson CONTRIBUTING ARTIST: John Signor PRODUCTION MANAGER: Ray Geyer CIRCULATION MANAGER: Bob Schneider

RAilROAD COlUMNISTS Portrait of a Classic: The Disappearing Rio Grande AMTRAK/ PASSENGER-Dick Stephenson 655 Canyon Dr .. Glendale. CA 91206 As scarlet-and-gray encroaches, an intimate look at D&RGW AT&SF- Elrond G. Lawrence Steve Schmollinger 908 W. 25th St.. San Bernardino. CA 92405 28 BURLINGTON NORTHERN-Karl Rasmussen 11449 Goldenrod St. NW. Coon Rapids. MN 55433 CANADA WEST- Doug Cummings 5963 Kitchener St .. Burnaby. BC V5B 2J3 I C&NW- Michael W. Blaszak I DEPARTMENTS 910 N. Sherwood Dr .. LaGrange Pork. IL 60525 D&RGW-Richard C. Farewell 4 EXPEDITER 38 UNION PACIFIC 9729 w. 76th Ave .. Arvada. CO 800J5 6 AMTRAK/ PASSENGER 40 ILLINOIS CENTRAL ILLINOIS CENTRAL- David J. Daisy 8 ATCHISON , TOPEKA & SANTA FE 42 SHORT LINES 746 N. Bruns Lone Apt. A. Springfield. IL 62702 11 SOUTHERN PACIFIC LINES 43 PRESERVATION MEXICO-Clifford R. Prather 16 BURLINGTON NORTHERN 44 TRANSIT P.O. Box 925. Santa Ana. CA 92702 PRESERVATION-Brian L. Norden 18 CHICAGO & NORTH WESTERN 46 CITY SCENE P.O. Box 3012 . Industry. CA 91744 20 REGIONALS 50 IMAGES OF RAILROADING REGIONAlS (EAST)-George Widener 21 CANADA WEST 55 PRN CLASSIFIEDS 7934A N. 64th Ct.. Milwaukee. WI 53223 23 SOO LINE REGIONAlS (WEST)-Allen Meyers 15056 Binney St., Hacienda Heights. CA 91745 SHORT liNES-Robert C. Gallegos EDITORIAL ADDRESS: Submit all photos. article submissions P.O. Box 379. Waukesha. WI 53187 PACIFIC RAlLNEWS (USPS 862840) is published monthly by Interur­ ban Press (a corporation), 1741 Gardena Ave., Glendale, CA and editorial correspondence to: SOO LINE-Karl Rasmussen 91204. Second-class postage paid at Glendale, CA 91209 and ad­ PACIFIC RAILNEWS 11449 Goldenrod St. NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433 ditional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: PACIF­ P.O. Box 379 SP/SSW-Joseph A. Strapac IC RAlLNEWS, P.O. Box 6128, Glendale, CA 91225. ISSN 8750-8486. Waukesha, WI 53187 (414) 542-4900 P.O. Box 2268, Huntington Beach. CA 92647 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $30 (U.S.) for 12 issues, $58 for 24 is­ FAX: (414) 542-7595 UNION PACIFIC-Wayne Monger sues. Foreign add $6 for each 12 issues. Single copy $4 .50 post­ 1300 Southhampton Rd . #214, Benecia, CA 94510 paid from Glendale office (subject to change without notice). BUSINESS ADDRESS: Address all correspondence regarding subscriptions and business matters to: TRANSIT CHANGE OF ADDRESS: The Post Office does not regularly for­ Interurban Press P.O. Box 6128 CHICAGO-Wynne DeCitti ward 2nd Class Mail and PACIFIC RAILNE WS is not responsible for copies not forwarded or destroyed by the Post Office. Re­ Glendale, CA 91225 lOS ANGELES-Norman K. Johnson placement copieslPO notifications will be billed. Please allow (81 8) 240-9130 SACRAMENTO-Robert Blym yer us at least four weeks for any address change. FAX: (818) 240-5436 SAN DIEGO-Chris Cucchiara © 1990 INTERURBAN PRESS SAN FRANCISCO/ MUNI-Don Jewell SUBMISSIONS: Articles, news items and photographs are wel­ come and should be sent to our Wisconsin editorial office. Mac Sebree, President WESTERN TRANSIT NOTES-Richard R. Kunz When submitting material for consideration, include return en­ Jim Walker, Vice-President velope and postage if you wish it returned. PACIFIC RAILN EWS CITY SCENE does not assume responsibility for the safe return of material. BAY AREA/ CENTRAL VAllEY-Ken Rattenne Payment is made upon publication. CHICAGOLAND-Mike Abalos ADVERTISING RATES: Contact Interurban Press, P.O. Box DENVER/ FRONT RANGE-Rich Farewell 6128, Glendale, CA 91225; (818) 240-4777. KANSAS CITY-Wayne Kuchinsky l.A./S. CALIFORNIA-Dick Stephenson NORTH TEXAS-Ki rby Pople PACIFIC NORTHWEST-Steve Hart COVER: Santa Fe 's Super Fleet revolution is in full swing. On May 23, 1990, the point of an east­ ST. lOUIS-Scott Muskopf and Paul Fries bound 891 train-shown in the desert near Ludlow, Calif.-was graced by four red-and-silver lo­ SOUTH TEXAS-Carl M. Lehman comotives, including brand-new GP60Ms 100 and 101 , along with freshly renumbered SDFP45s TWIN CITIES-Steve Glischinski 96 and 92. Turn to page 24 for the complete story on the first week in service of Santa Fe 's WASATCH FRONT-Dave Gayer newest power, along with the how-and-why of the model's development. Elrond G. Lawrence

PACIFIC RAILNews • 3 The log-haulers of the West continue to disappear, the latest victim being Oregon, California & Eastern; OC&E's last Bly Turn is shown eastbound at Dairy, Ore., on April 29 behind a string of the railroad's distinc­ tive rebuilt U25Bs. After 68 years of moving timber products, OC&E owner Weyerhaeuser cut the capaci­ ty of its mill at Klamath Falls, negating the economic benefits of hauling in timber by rail. Greg Brown

CALIFORNIA VOTES FOR Prop 116 monies was funding Healdsburg trackage should IMPROVED RAIL TRANS­ for expanding Amtrak's San transfer to the bridge district PORTATION: In a stunning Diegans and San Joaquins ; in three years, and the final vote that some are heralding money for the burgeoning two segments-from Healds­ as symbolic of America's re-ac­ Sacramento-Bay Area corridor; burg to Willits and from Nova­ ceptance of the passenger funding for various commuter to to Napa Junction-will be train as a viable transportation rail projects, including Cal­ purchased in four years. SP mode (and which may also sig­ Train in the Bay Area and sold the northern 162 miles of nal the end of the so-called San Bernardino/Orange County the NWP between Willits and z "taxpayers revolt" era), Califor­ routes in L.A.; and funding for Eureka to Eureka Southern z nia voters approved three bal­ light-rail expansion in Bay Railroad in 1984. lot measures that together will Area, L.A. and San Diego. help provide nearly $3 billion AND SP MAY SELL ITS in funding for all forms of rail SP SELLS NWP: In a devel­ HEADQUARTERS: Apparently transportation. In the June 5, opment which will be aided by trying to escape the burden of 1990, primary, voters approved money provided by the rail its huge debt incurred with the (by fairly narrow margins): bond projects, Southern Pacific purchase of SP Railroad, Rio Proposition 111 , which basical­ has agreed in principle to sell Grande Industries, is putting ly relaxed spending limitations the 151-mile Northwestern Pa­ more non-rail properties on the on transportation projects and cific to the Golden Gate Bridge seller's block . .. possibly in­ provided a nine-cent-per-gal­ District for $37 million. The cluding the historic SP head­ Ion fuel tax increase to fund bridge district plans to use the quarters in downtown San highway and rail projects; route to develop a commuter Francisco. An internal SP Proposition 108, the Passenger rail line serving the North Bay memo of April 30 indicated Rail and Clean Air Act of 1990, region. Under terms of the that the venerable edifice at which was the $1 billion rail plan, segments of the railroad One Market Plaza is one prop­ bond companion to Prop 111; -initially started as a Santa erty that company manage­ and Proposition 116 which au­ Fe-SP joint venture in 1907 ment has considered selling. thorized the issuance of $1.99 -will be purchased over the Sale of the building would re­ billion in general obligation next four years. The first sec­ quire finding another work­ bonds to be allocated to a long tion of track, from San Rafael place for the company's 1,800 list of specific rail projects. In­ to Novato, will be purchased workers in San Francisco; new LLI cluded in the laundry list for immediately; the Novato- locations suggested by SP em- 4. JULY 1990 ployees include other SP prop­ erties in or near San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento or Den­ ver (home of new owner Phil Anschutz). BUSH VETOES AMTRAK FUNDING; BUY-OUT AMEND­ MENT BLAMED: On May 24, President Bush vetoed a fund­ ing bill that would have guar­ anteed money for Amtrak in in fiscal years 1991 and 1992. Though the president is not a big Amtrak supporter and has suggested zero funding for the national rail passenger carrier in the past, money for Amtrak was not the primary issue in the veto. In fact, administra­ tion officials said that they were resigned to providing The delivery of BC Rail's firsf GE C40-8M prompted this line-up of BCRjPacific Great Eastern-heritage mainline $684 million for Amtrak next power at Squamish on May 8, 1990. From left: New C40-SM 4601 in the current BCR red-white-and-blue; M630 year and $712 million in 1992. 706 in the same livery; RS18 604 in the second PGE and first BC Rail paint scheme; and RS3 561 (on loan from Instead, the veto was prompt­ the Wesf Coast Railway Association) in the firsf PGE livery. Doug Cummings ed by an amendment to the bill that would give the ICC UP AGAIN UNDER THE GUN employee buyout of the strug­ the possibility of employee three months to review any FOR BRANCH ABANDON­ gling Western carrier. The stock ownership, particularly Class I railroad purchase by a MENT: Union Pacific's plans talks came amidst a Santa Fe since such a development non-carrier; this is the same to abandon 71 miles of branch corporate restructuring that would probably lead to further bill that was prompted by last lines in eastern Washington left the railroad a separate cuts in labor costs that the year's highly publicized hostile threatens the nation's lentil company and closely follows railroad has been pursuing. takeover bid of Chicago & crop and everyone from local an announcement that the Already, Santa Fe has elimi­ North Western by Japonica farmers to U.S. Department of railroad's first quarter operat­ nated 7,000 employees over Partners. The costly fight led Agriculture officials are not ing income was 50 percent be­ the last two years, but AT&SF to a "friendly" leveraged buy­ happy about it. UP claims it's low what analysts expected. management says that anoth­ out of the railroad which has losing money running trains Santa Fe Chairman and CEO er 20 percent cut in labor left the carrier burdened by in this very rural area; ship­ Robert Krebs has welcomed costs is needed. debt and struggling for sur­ ping lentils and peas just vival. Regardless, the presi­ doesn't pay the bills railroad dent calls the clause "re-regu­ officials say. Local officials lation" and a fight in the Sen­ disagree with UP's figures and ate to override the veto was further chastise the railroad promised-as Amtrak waits to for not developing more busi­ see if its funding for next year ness on the branch. Paul Ke­ is forthcoming. pler of the USDA took the de­ RESOLUTION FOR K.C. LINE bate another step, saying that SALE COMING SHORTLY: UP needs to "take more of a Rio Grande Industries' year­ public service attitude," with long attempt to purchase Soo respect to the Tekoa Branch Line's K.C. -Chicago line is fac­ and other rural lines. UP has ing more hurdles. RGI sub­ countered by saying it's not sidiary Southern Pacific has the railroad's responsibility to filed an application with the carry the load for dying small ICC for advance approval of towns. Farmers in the area are trackage rights agreements to reasonably upset. The area be worked out with BN and around Tekoa and Farmington C&NW; such approval would produces 98 percent of the na­ allow SP to immediately begin tion's lentils, most of which use of the rights once agree­ are shipped overseas; ship­ ments are signed between the ping to coastal ports by truck railroads. BN and C&NW are adds $830 to a farmer's trans­ vehemently opposed to this portation bill and makes lentil measure, saying that any growing unprofitable. With al­ agreements should be subject lies like prominent U.S. Repre­ to the ICC's normal review sentative Tom Foley, UP looks process. While this side de­ to have its hands full with the bate is considered, the ICC is lentil farmers of eastern soon expected to rule on the Washington. Lightning stripes mingled with Cascade Green on May 14, 1990, as merits of the sale as a whole; Toledo, Peoria & Western and Burlington Northern ran a shipper's lawyers from both sides of the UNIONS TO BUYOUT SANTA special from Bushnell, III., to Remington, Ind., to help drum up busi­ debate are making last-ditch FE?: Leaders of the 11 unions ness for the Hoosier Lift intermodal facility. Repainted GP20s 2002 efforts to sway commission that represent Santa Fe met in and 2003 (in a revised version of the lightning stripes scheme) were members. Topeka recently to discuss an coupled with three BN business cars lor the trip. Steve Smedley

PACIFIC RAILNews • 5 AMTRAK/PASSENGER

Pacific Northwest Chapter- NRHS ran a round-trip Portland-Redding (Calif.) Shasta Daylight 1990 special May 12-13, 1990; the train is shown on its southbound run over the SP near Dorris, Calif. The train featured Superliner equipment and the unusual motive-power team of Cotton Belt GP60 9701 (which broke down and was pulled from the train at Klamath Falls) and Amtrak F40 395. Greg Brown

pool on busy weekends. The gallery cars Plans for a transportation center in On­ Orange County Commuter have almost double the seating capacity of tario, 35 miles east of L. A. along the SP Service Starts an Amfleet coach and wide doors that main line, moved ahead in April. The Cali­ speed loading and unloading, though they fornia Transportation Commission gave With numerous politicians and officials on lack toilets. tentative approval to a grant of $339,500 hand for an early morning press confer­ for the station, which would be located ence, commuter train service between San near Euclid Avenue and Holt Boulevard on Juan Capistrano and Los Angeles began Depot Doings the site of the former SP depot. Amtrak's on April 30. Initially, the new service used Sunset Limited serves this suburban com­ Arnfleet cars while lease details for Cal­ Of the four significant depot items this munity three times weekly. The City of Train commuter cars were being ironed month, Irvine can claim the spotlight. Ontario and Amtrak will share in the fund­ out. We covered a number of the details of Work on the depot and platforms was ing for the project, which could be com­ the county-sponsored service in our last completed in early May and a May 16 cer­ pleted during 1991 if all approvals are re­ two issues; we can now add that after­ emony marked completion of the project. ceived. Currently the Sunset stops at an noon service southbound was restruc­ It truly is a transportation center and in­ unmanned station in Pomona, about 10 tured effective April 30, with No. 582 de­ cludes a number of parking spaces for miles west of Ontario, and then stops parting at 5:45 p.rn. (Monday-Friday) be­ commuters. Amtrak, Greyhound and Or­ again at Indio. coming the Orange County train destined ange County Transit District should all The addition of a Victorville stop for the for San Juan Capistrano; No. 584 became start serving the depot in June. Trying to Desert Wind came much closer to becom­ a daily train departing L.A. at 6:20 p.m. find the depot could be a challenge for ing reality in April with the announcement This slot is also intended to become the some, so here are three different ways to that federal funds are available for extension of the second Santa Barbara identify the location: On the Santa Fe San upgrading crossing protection devices at San Diegan. The equipment from No. 582 Diego Subdivision main line, it's milepost the 6th Street crossing where trains will deadheads back to L.A. to assume the 185. Geographically, it's approximately at stop (site of the former Santa Fe depot schedule of No . 586, meeting No. 584 the southwest comer of the EI Toro Ma­ which was destroyed by fire about six somewhere between Santa Ana and Gali­ rine Corps Air Station. On the highway, years ago). The issue of crossing protec­ van depending on timing. it's at the intersection of Barranca Park­ tion had placed the City and Santa Fe at One other use for the CalTrain cars way and Ada, with access to 1-5 and 1-405 odds, but a temporary agreement reached could be to supplement the San Diegan nearby. by the parties will see a sheriffs deputy at

6 . JULY 1990 the crossing at train time until the upgrad­ detailed the costs of various improve­ baggage unloaded from the trains and ed crossing protection is installed next ments to rail service in the San Joaquin into the baggage office, however . .. year. Santa Fe has maintained that the im­ Valley. Costs of $245 million were project­ Power to aid the Desert Wind is general­ proved gates are needed because a mo­ ed for service between Los Angeles and ly whatever UP has handy. Two exam­ torist's view could be blocked by a Sacramento with maximum speeds of 79 ples during late April and early May stopped passenger train when a freight mph. These improvements would be were UP SD40-2 3403 and SD60 6012. operating in the opposite direction could phased in over a three-year period and The rescue units were returned to UP at be approaching at speed. would include rerouting the trains onto L.A. Not to be confused with rescue Plans for restoring the Santa Fe depot Southern Pacific rails and extending ser­ units are UP switchers which sometimes and Harvey House in Barstow got two big vice through to Los Angeles, probably on are spotted at Union Station. This is a boosts during April. The first was ap­ an overnight schedule. Consultants esti­ common point served by UP and Amtrak proval of an $886,632 State grant for up­ mated ridership of 930,000 in the San crews, so when switchers, such as ex­ grading the depot and baggage area west Joaquin corridor during the first year of Western Pacific 1517 and slug S10, were of the old Harvey House. San Bernardino service at this level. Rerouting service at Union Station on April 30, it was after County Transportation Commission is onto SP tracks between Fresno and they had had their "toenails" trimmed considering another grant of $1.6 million Stockton, and the extension of at least and were on their way back to UP's East for restoring the 79-year-old Harvey one train to Sacramento, are current Yard ... SP crews still have operating House Casa del Desierto (contingent on goals that rail passenger advocates and rights into Union Station and usually can passage of a gas tax increase measure at Caltrans planners are working toward be seen there switching SP private cars. the polls in June). Plans call for Amtrak -notwithstanding studies, bond issues The Coast Starlight is a favorite way to trains, buses, taxis and Dial-A-Ride ser­ or elections. The passage of all of the rail get cars to and from Los Angeles ... vices to use the facility. The other good initiatives on the ballot in June will pro­ The April 22 operation of Native Son news was the Fred Harvey Historical Mu­ vide millions of dollars for improvements was notable because it was the first seum, a non-profit corporation currently and contribute to the State's goal of pro­ time a private car has operated cut into based in Arizona, inquired into the possi­ viding reasonable alternatives to automo­ a push-pull consist, which required that bility of locating its 15,000-item collection bile travel. it have m.u. cables through for operating in the building. Very few of the Harvey the locomotive from the cab car. This Houses remain, and many feel it would feature will be required by 1991 for pri­ add a touch of authenticity for the muse­ Tales of the San Diegans vate cars operating to and from San um to be in one of the old restaurant/hotel Diego, where push-pull operation has been a way of life for two and a half buildings. The museum plans include At least three breakdowns or operating recreating a Harvey dining room (made years. problems disabled San Diegans during Thanks to Bill Farmer, Marvin Maven, famous for its prompt service to travelers April, on the 2nd, 5th and 22nd. To rescue and quality food). a library and gift shop. FLIMSIES, H. G. Ready, Princessa Bronstein, No. 783, which suffered a punctured fuel Rich Brown and Eddie Edwards. City officials were quick to praise the con­ tank near San Clemente on April 5, Am­ cept, with Mayor Bill Pope telling the SAN trak dispatched P30CHs 7001712; a stub BERNARDINO SUN , "It appears to be a ready­ train was made up to operate to Santa made museum .. . and I think we should Barbara. pursue it." On any given day there may be delays IN THE MIDDLE OF THE that cause any of the trains to be late. Late ACTION AT THE PASS operations were one of the gripes com­ Derailments Plague Amtrak muters from Orange County had even be­ fore their new trains were started in April. An unusual string of derailments during On April 28, No. 572 was about 40 minutes ECONOLODGE­ late April and early May plagued Amtrak late into San Diego, where private car Na­ CAJON'S BEST operations. On April 23 the eastbound tive Son was removed. Some of the delay California Zephyr derailed eight of its 16 may have been due to crowds attending LODGING VALUE cars at Batavia, Iowa, 13 miles east of Ot­ the Blue Angels air show at EI Toro Ma­ tumwa. Superliner sleeper 32046 ended up rine Corps Air Station. Thanks to push-pull on its side and was the most seriously EconoLodge operation, the equipment was able to re­ 8317 Hwy. 138, Cajon Pass damaged piece of equipment. Nearly 100 turn from San Diego on-time as train No. passengers and crew members were 579. For those out on the line trying to see Corner of 1-15 & Hwy. 138 transported to the hospital, but only about or photograph these trains .. . patience. Phelan, CA 92371 20 required an overnight stay (most for Some delays are to be expected until addi­ (619) 249-6777 broken bones or back injuries). The re­ tional trackwork is done and more sidings mainder of the passengers were bused to are added. their destinations. On April 23 , the west­ bound Zephyr detoured via Chicago & North Western, arriving Denver nearly seven hours late. Tri-Stripe Shorts On May 2 the Hoosier State rammed in­ to a line of stored freight cars in Craw­ An SP freight derailment east of Yuma fordsville, Ind., injuring about 30 persons. caused the Sunset Limited to detour The next day the City of New Orleans col­ westbound between Tucson and Colton lided with a logging truck near Durant, on April 29-30 via Parker and Barstow. Miss., derailing three locomotives and Arrival in L.A. was about six hours late. three cars. Twenty passengers and fOUT" - A failure in one of the P30CHs (7001711) crew members were injured in this inci­ caused SSW GP40-2 7250 to be added at Tucson ... The new baggage and ticket­ dent, as was the truck driver. 62 minutes in STUTTGART Ride all line 1 ing area at L.A. Union Station was due A DUAL-GAUGE Rapid Transit System! to open in mid-May. Beside being much VHS or BETA $28.00 postpaid. Sacramento-los Angeles Study closer to trackside, the new facility in­ 24 HOUR ORDER LINE 215/ 632-4600 many more to choose from, send S.ASE Unveiled cludes baggage carousels, which, like those at the airports, should speed up CARSON HOME VIDEO A study funded by the California legisla­ baggage claim. Little is being done to BOX 42582, Phila., PA 19101 ture was made public in early May which speed up the process for getting the

PACIFIC RAILNews • 7 SANTA FE

In a spectacular display of a fast-disappearing paint scheme, a solid set of Santa Fe units in the SFSP red-and-yellow merger livery rolls eastbound through Cajon on April 17, 1990. The leading four GEs (9549/9544/9542/9543) had been lashed together on a westbound run into L.A., where the F45 was added. Santa Fe is in the midst of a concerted effort to repaint these "redbirds." John Lytle

silver-arrived on AT&SF property in ognize the units as "grandfathers" of the Super Fleet, Super Power (Part 2) Chicago. The London, Ont.-built units, 100 new Super Fleet. The railway had original­ and 101, spent their first full day on ly considered dOing this when the six-axle Santa Fe's long-awaited Super Fleet be­ AT&SF rails in Chicago's Corwith Yard, be­ F-units were painted red and silver in came a reality May 18, 1990, when the fore departing on their first westbound 1989; however, officials were told AT&SF's railway's first two GP60Ms-outfitted with trip on the QNYLA-1-20 to Southern Cali­ computer system couldn't handle a two­ AT&SF/EMD-designed super cabs and re­ fornia. For more details, see the feature digit number designation. The railway has splendent in "warbonnet" red and story on page 24. since resolved the problem, and the SDFP45 fleet will now be placed in the 90 class, numbered 90-98, with no 94 (as with SDFP45s Enter The 90's ... literally the 5990s, a gap will remain for the former RAILROA~D 5944, which was destroyed in a wreck in GIFT

8. JULY 1990 the new GP60Ms on their maiden voyage the suspension of heavy locomotive repair to L.A.. The remaining four SDFP45s were activities at San Bernardino. expected to be given their 90-class num­ In addition to the above, about 70 peo­ SAVE hilt $$$ .J. bers by the end of May. ple will be affected at the company's cen­ tralized work equipment·plant at Albu­ BOOKS & TAPES Prices shown ar~ for check or VlsalMaster querque, N.M., and 15 at the Newton, Card. 1l S Add 2 PO pcr Ilpe order ,hpe Rail Cycle Trains Roll Again Kan. , rail plant. Approximately 200 more Canada S5Jbook order+Sl.each h.cvr book; Canada S3/rape order. Minn. resident. add people will be affected on section gangs, 6% sales w. Send SAE ror complete rree While most Southern California fans spent although that will consist of a reduction of Video and/or book lI.t. their time photographing the new only one person on each of the railway's vIPEO RAil S VIPEO TAPES GP60Ms, many found themselves with yet 8444 Rides Aealn 80 ml ••••• 29.95 gangs system-wide. Another 75 will be Southern Paclnc 1941, Vol I, 30 mn 29.95 another newsworthy event during late laid off from specialty gangs and about Union Paclnc 4-8.8.4, 30 min 29.00 May-as Santa Fe operated a pair of pas­ 100 people will be affected in the railway's 44 Yrs of 8444 Un Pac ••60 min 29.95 senger moves between San Bernardino UP Centennial 6900 dle.el. 26.95 management force. The remaining bal­ Streamliners or Yesteryear 30 m 26.95 and the Mojave Desert site of Cadiz, Calif., ance of the layoffs ·will not have a major PENTB EX VIPm TAPES to again promote the trash-by-train "Rail impact on anyone community, the railway Union Paclnc 8444·1987 60 min 29.95 Sturn to Lo. Aneele. UP/SP 4·8.4 26.95 Cycle" concept. stated. Daylleht to Wenatchee #4449 • . • 26.95 SDFP45s 91 and 90 powered the two BERKSIIIRE PROD TAPES special moves, which made day-long Nickel Plate Summer 60 min 17.95 2102 American Northern SS min. 35.95 round trips to Cadiz on both May 23 and Santa Fe Opens New IMX Facility IIOPEWELL YJDEO TAPES 24. The four-car trainset consisted of Great Model Railroads Vol 3 • 35.95 Fred Har­ Sanla Fe Salut< 60 min excellent 35.95 AT&SF business car 58 , diner Santa Fe is once again expanding its off­ Steamln to Lo. Angeles 60 min 35.95 vey, lounge 62, and super dome 60; on rail intermodal hub network with the addi­ The ble Six Ca .. Shay, 48 min 35.95 May 23, the train carried officials from San tion of a new facility at Laredo, Texas, the Railroad. of St. Louis 60n min 35.95 WB VIDEOTAPES Bernardino County and local cities, while railway announced in late April. Assault on Snow Wy & Co F unit. 44.95 on the 24th the train hosted representa­ "We are enthusiastic about the traffic Kindle'. Diesel. (Part I) 35 min 35.95 tives from both the local and network me­ possibilities generated by the addition of MllwlLukee'. MI~hty Elect. 40 min 35.95 Rail. Alone The Rockies SF,BN, RG .44. 95 dia (as well as a few members of the rail­ Laredo to the IMX program," noted Don Colorado'. Colorrul Joint Line 44.95 fan press). McInnes, AT&SF vice president-inter­ Alleeheny Rail. Vol 1 8&0, 55 min. 44.95 The entire operation was geared to pro­ modal. "We are confident this popular bor­ Alleeheny Rail. Vol II, WM 52mln 44.95 Rail, Aero" tbe Symmlt Cymbru JIM mote the development of Rail Cycle, a pro­ der crossing will bring attractive business GREEN FROG I'RODUCTIONS posed system that would see non-recy­ to our core system." Rail. In Tran.IUon 60 min 44.00 Canadian St

PACIFIC RAILNews • 9 was moved to a former Kaiser Steel mill orado & Texas (KCT) Railway Corp. The men will now report to work at Kansas shop building in Fontana, Calif. For more sale, consisting of seven line segments in City, and trains will now run directly from information, interested persons should KCT's three states, included 55 miles of Kansas City to one of three locations: contact the SBRHS at (714) 350-6448. the Tulsa Subdivision from Ottawa to lola, Arkansas City, Newton or Wellington, Kan. The society can also be reached at its Kan.; 43 miles of the Matagorda Subdivi­ . .. Super Fleet SDFP45s were displayed at mailing address of 14,000 San Bernardi­ sion from Sealy to Wharton, Texas, and two separate events in the San Francisco no Avenue, P.O . Box 936, Fontana Calif. another eight miles from Wadsworth to Bay Area on the weekend of May 18-19. 92334-0936. the end of track at Matagorda; 10 miles of The 5993 was displayed in Richmond, the Garwood Subdivision from Rayner Calif., for Port Day 90 , an event co-spon­ Junction to Garwood, Texas; 22 miles of sored by AT&SF, the Port of Richmond and Motive Power Shorts the Hall Subdivision from New Gulf to the Richmond Chamber of Commerce. A Smithers Lake, Texas; 11 miles of the La second "Super F" was also displayed at the In late April, Santa Fe placed its remaining Junta Subdivision between Lamar and nearby Oakland Army base in Oakland, unrebuilt U36C fleet into storage, with all Wiley, Colo., and the four-mile La Junta Calif., on May 19, during the base's Rail­ of the 8700-class units now occupying the Industrial Air Base Spur, located on the road Heritage Days celebration . . . Track east end of the San Bernardino Shops com­ Pueblo Subdivision at Swink, Colo. Inspection Car No. 89 is being named, and plex. While no reason had been given at The agreement provides that Santa Fe, will emerge as the William Barstow the time of this writing, it's likely the lease for a period of one year following closing Strong . .. Speaking of Barstow, a chase of on the 18 aging units had expired . . . Also of the sale, will furnish locomotives for Extra 100 East through the Mojave desert stored at "San Berdoo" are SD45 rebuilds operation of the line segments at a charge city on May 23 found the former diesel 5430 and 5431 , and a large group of 20- of $300 per day; when needed, AT&SF shops on the west side of AT&SF's classifi­ cylinder units have formed a deadline in will furnish both units and ETDs, all on a cation yard completely dismantled, with front of the main shop buildings ... Santa trip-leased basis. Only three of the above only a pile of rubble to mark the site ... Fe's fleet of leased Conrail SD40s had been lines are reportedly active (Wiley-Lamar, On a more positive note, the City of Mon­ scheduled to be returned to Conrail on Ottawa-lola, and Sealy-Wharton). Of rovia, Calif. , has purchased the former May 2, with the expiration of their 90-day those, the Wiley line should be served AT&SF depot, located on Santa Fe's lease on AT&SF. However, the units have once a week-usually on Sundays-and Pasadena Sub between San Bernardino performed so well that Santa Fe extended all others will be served on an as-needed and Los Angeles. The city hopes to reno­ the lease to yet a second 90-day period . .. basis. vate the 1928-built structure, possibly In addition, the 10 leased GATX SD40s transforming it into either a business park were scheduled to return home on or or railroad museum ... With all the atten­ about June 18 . .. Finally, in the "shoot-em­ Santa Fe Shorts tion focused on following the final months while-you-can" department, we all know of the SPSF merger-painted locomotive how difficult it is to find an all-"SPSF" red­ The ETSI settlement (see last issue's Ex­ fleet, little attention has been paid to and-yellow power consist these days, with pediter) factored into Santa Fe Pacific's AT&SF's remaining cabooses still wearing the railway making such a concentrated ef­ first quarter results for 1990, as SFP re­ the red and yellow colors. At least two fort to return them to blue and yellow. ported a net loss of $61.4 million for the were accounted for recently, the first be­ However, on April 17, an eastbound work­ quarter, compared with a net income of ing waycar 999524, which has been used ing its way up Cajon Pass was powered by $187.5 million in the first quarter of 1989. on Santa Fe locals in the Wellington, Kan., the unlikely consist of five red units Things were far more positive for Santa Fe area since November 1989. The second, -SF30Cs 9549, 9544, 9542, 9543 and an Railway, however, as the company report­ caboose 999700, has been seen through­ SDF45. Check out the accompanying photo ed an operating income of $66.1 million for out the first half of 1990, almost exclusive­ if you don't believe it. the first quarter of 1990, compared with a ly traveling on through freights across the loss of $18 million in the comparable 1989 system. quarter .. . On June 19, Santa Fe will dis­ Thanks to Santa Fe Railway and con­ The Line Sales Continue ... continue using Emporia, Kan. , as a crew tributors Jay Hawk, O.R. Bixler, Starpacer , change point for trainmen, the result of an Jim Grey, Wes Carr, Bob Davis, Laura M. On May 2, Santa Fe completed the sale of agreement being reached with the UTU Lawrence, John Lytle, Mike Kiriazis, Gene 153 miles of trackage to the Kansas, Col- membership. As a result, 120-130 train- Wilson, and L. Forshort.

MONTEREY AND PACIFIC GROVE STREET CAR ERA In the world of electric traction, the Monterey and Pacific Grove Street Railway had everything going for it . .. except fate itself. From its start in 1890 as a financially successful horsecar line to its demise as an abused street railway, the M&PG had expanded even more successfully than the horsecar era . . . but simply was not destined to be. The line was controlled by several utility companies over a period of time, who literally robbed the railway system of any profits. When the motor coach appeared on city streets, the owners quickly "adjusted" their priorities, and the electric railway was left to die a quiet, premature death. Erle Hansen brings you the story of this unique California operation, along with a look at the M&PG's colorful variety of equipment and rolling stock. For fans of classic electric railroading, Monterey and Pacific Grove Street Car Era is a book you won't want to miss! Softbound with color painting by James Reese . ISBN 0-916374-91-2 . MONTEREY & PACIFIC GROVE STREET CAR ERA. 64 pages, 70 B&W photos, 81fall" softbound. B1l2 (Ready May) add $2 p /h ...... 16.95

(]I) INTERURBAN ; c.,::. . po Box 6~~G~n~~CA 91 225 - 18( 8 ) 240·9130 FAX (818) 24 0 ·5436 10. JULY 1990 SOUTHERN PACIFIC LINES

Monument to Employees Killed in Runaway

A group of Southern Pacific employees raised $5 ,000 to erect a memorial to the two trainmen, Everett Crown and Allan Riess, who were killed in last May's run­ away accident at San Bernardino. A 10- foot-tall white cross (erected in March) was placed on the top of the hill inside Tehachapi Loop. A granite monument, near the tracks at Walong west of the en­ trance to the Loop Ranch, explains the sig­ nificance of the cross. The monument was dedicated with a May 12 ceremony at­ tended by about 200 people that brought traffic on the Loop to a halt for about two hours. The monument project was solely an employee undertaking, the brainchild of SP engineer Ronnie Lee of Bakersfield.

Good-by to the Rai/blazers

"The Railblazers made money, just not enough money." So was the stated reason SP's Ridgely Turn (SFBL) departs Bloomington on return to Springfield on May 8, 1990, with for the demise of the last of Rio Grande's standard power (two B30-7s); the train is passing the Chicago & Alton depot which closed named trains, the hottest of the hotshot June 10. Effective June 1, Bloomington became SP's new central Illinois crew-change point, freights. The Railblazers were a bold ex­ shifting the Turn to Bloomington-to-Springfield operation. Steve Smedley periment designed to pull back business lost to the highways. The UTU, Rio Louis and back out to Lackland, Mo ., instead upon trackage rights over UP's Grande corporate headquarters and train where another crew makes a turn to parallel Sedalia Sub.) service employees all worked together on Labadie. Trains will initially run weekly, this experiment in relative harmony. In­ though the actual contracted tonnage will deed, the trains crossed the entire Rio be phased in over five years. Craig Branch Unit-Coal Notes Grande system with two-man crews and There is a connection with Union Pacif­ but one crew change. The Railblazers ic at Labadie also, but only from the east; The demand for Colorado low-sulfur coal were the hottest operations on the sys­ UP apparently didn't want SP-SSW engines has not diminished with the coming of tem, running quicker than departed pas­ running around its trains to head down spring. The Craig Branch continues to see senger trains and with very specific de­ the three-mile utility spur. Therefore, 40 heavy coal traffic, with the expected flow parture and arrival times. Their last depar­ miles of ex-Rock trackage is being upgrad­ of loads out and empties in continuing un­ tures were April 26; their respective ar­ ed with 115-pound welded rail, 36,000 abated. Colorado Public Service power rivals were at 8 a.m. on the 27th. Sadly, new ties, 30-35 grade resurfaced cross­ plants are heavy users of the CraigiYampa Rio Grande's only Quality trains are gone. ings, eight new turnouts and 16 rebuilt Valley basin low-sulfur coal with over half turnouts. A dedicated 31-man gang will do of the region's weekly average of near- the work. The overgrown track beyond 2,000 carloads consigned to various CPS More on New Coal Trains Labadie will remain, pending a decision as power plants. Other heavy Yampa Valley to its future use; SP-SSW has agreed to coal purchasers include Northern Indiana As reported in last issue's Expediter, a "bank" the track intact for the time being. Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) with a weekly new coal-train service has been inaugurat­ (SSW has never used its ex-CRI&P rails average of some 315 hoppers moved in ed between Arco, Colo ., and Union Elec­ between St. Louis and Kansas City, relying three unit-train movements. The Denver- tric's power plant at Labadie, Mo .; east­ bound loads are symboled ARESC , while westbound empties become the ESARC . Routing for loads will be west from the Mt. Gunnison mine down the North Fork Branch to Delta, then north to Grand Junc­ tion on the Montrose Branch. At Grand Junction helpers will be inserted for the eastward trek up and over the Rockies via the Tennessee Pass main line to Pueblo. From Pueblo the hoppers will roll east to Kansas City and then past the plant to St. Louis on UP's Sedalia SUb. Routing within Watch and ride as 15,000 horses power a mile of hotshot TOFClCOFC across Santa Fe's Dublin Subdivision -one of the toughest St. Louis is unique, since the train must railroad lines Texas has to offer. Battle137 miles of curves and grades on one of the least.known, least-photographed hnes In the United States. Get on board for a show that's 8S exciting 8S any you've se«m! thread its way through downtown to reach TRRA's North St. Louis outpost be­ THE ACTION NEVER STOPS! PROFESSIONALLY PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED. 28 MINUTES COLOR AND SOUND. fore turning back west on the former Rock AddS3°Oshipping Island Owensville Branch to Labadie. A 95 Check or money order ZULEKA PRODUCTIONS crew from Jefferson City takes trains to St. $27 Texas residents add 7% tax P.o. BOX 472 BROWNWOOD, TEXAS 76804

PACIFIC RAILNews • 11 area Coors Brewery, which has its own tion in mainline train-hours and miles, with desert with a head-end suite of D&RGW power plant, requires a significant weekly local haulers originating here, instead of 30 5506/5413/3103/3028 and SP 8277. Pure shipment of loaded hoppers of the clean­ miles farther east at congested West sets of D&RGW locomotives, though, are burning coal. However, because there are Colton. Delivery and pick-up trains bound still very common, with GP40/GP40-2s1 not enough Coors-destined hoppers each for points in Orange County or the Harbor GP35s the preferred choice between week to require a dedicated unit-train, are originating again at City of Industry. Grand Junction and Helper. The motive­ loads are moved to Denver in train PHDVC New trackage was installed at the west power turn around procedure practiced by (old train No. 742), a work-all-stops pre­ end of the yard. New trains from both Rio Grande between Denver and/or Grand dominantly all-coal movement. Empties are Houston (Englewood Yard) and Kansas Junction and Roper Yard still continues. shuttled back to the Craig basin in a re­ City now terminate at City of Industry. Consider eastbound OACHF of April 6 verse operation DVPHC (old train No. 741). Another move to conserve power and which was powered by D&RGW 30841 mainline crew man-hours was to swap out 3022/BN 8050/BN 6919 (GP40/GP301 two road engines at West Colton on trains SD40-2s). Upon reaching Denver, the pow­ Long Lines of Stored Units bound for the ICTF yard near Los Ange­ er set was turned and promptly worked les/Long Beach Harbors. The intention is back west with an additional unit on the An all-too-common sight has been report­ to keep expensive new units out on the point. In a similar fashion, westbound ed again, with long lines of stored units road, rather than laying over at Dolores KCOAA was observed with D&RGW accumulating at major terminals. Los An­ Yard for days waiting for arrival of another 5399/SSW 7776/D&RGW 3140/ 3085/SP geles has begun "cold storing" 12 GP9 and container ship. Certain six-motor units 8300 (SD40T-2/B30-7/two GP40s1 SD40T-2) two non-upgraded GP35 units, spot-weld­ have reappeared in ICTF-West Colton for power. Less than 23 hours later, east­ ing hood doors shut to ensure against "shuttle" service, and there has been a no­ bound OACHF was noted rolling through parts cannibalization. At this point, it is ticeable diminution of glossy new road the desert oasis of Westwater with the unknown how many units have been set units in the servicing racks at Dolores. same power set. aside at other locations against a future Slowing things down a bit across the increase in business. crest of the intermountain desert main line We suspect that another batch of V20- Fuel Saving Progress between Cisco and Sagers, Utah, during powered units is about to be sold to deal­ April was a tie/rail/ballast upgrade pro­ ers; also lined up at Los Angeles in early A major effort in fuel economy has ject. Completion of the project was sched­ May were SDP45s 3200, 3203 and 3204, as brought about significant changes in SP uled for early May. During the interim, Rio well as SD45s 8937, 9075, 9095 and 9105. operations. Diesel fuel usage per thousand Grande's full-throttle boogie across the Two GP9s apparently will join their larger gross ton-miles has dropped from 2.01 gal­ sagebrush flats slowed to a walk across brethren: 2875 and 3358. lons in January to 1.75 gallons in March. the affected trackage due to several tem­ The ranks of D&RGW GP9s remaining Locomotives per train, including locals porary slow orders. in operation continue to thin. As of the end and Sprints, averaged 3.54 in March com­ of April, D&RGW 5913 and 5904 joined sib­ pared with 3.76 in all of 1989. Power de­ lings previously delegated to cold storage lays have been reduced from an average at Burnham Shop's deadlines. Thus, still of 304 hours per day last year to 114 hours St. Louis Division News operating as of May 1 were D&RGW 5941, a day in April. Better utilization of locomo­ 5942 and 5951. Numbers 5941 and 5951 tives also has allowed SP to return 78 A new "St. Louis Division" timetable has were paired as the North Yard transfer duo leased diesel units (which were costing al­ been issued to cover the former CM&W as of late April; No. 5942 was at a different most $730,000 per month-excluding trackage recently purchased by Rio duty location. Denver & Rio Grande West­ maintenance). A side effect of these re­ Grande Industries. Surprisingly, it isn't in ern SD9s still out and running as of May 1 ductions has been a small, but significant booklet format and features a hand-let­ include 5305 at Grande Junction, 5307 at reduction in average train speed. The first tered local map on the back cover. It Top End Yard in Denver, 5310 at North three months of 1989 saw all SP freights doesn't say "Cotton Belt" anywhere, but is Yard, and 5309 and 5311 assigned to other averaging 27 .69 mph, while the same peri­ sublettered "SPCSL." This publication (No . locations. Number 5310 was shopped in od in 1990 recorded an average of 27.35. 1, with a bright green cover) will attain early April prior to a planned shutdown. "instant artifact" status as soon as SP­ However, the venerable SD9 was instead SSW publishes a new Eastern Region dispatched to North Yard following its ser­ Utah Operational Notes timetable to replace it. vicing and kept in operation. Effective June 1, Bloomington replaced Salt Lake City-Denver/Pueblo operations Springfield as the central Illinois crew­ are again beginning to see an increase in change point on the Chicago-St. Louis City of Industry Trains Debut SP power assigned to run-through move­ line. In conjunction with this move, Bloom­ ments after a period almost devoid of red ington Yard will be extensively rehabilitat­ Expansion of the yard at City of Industry, and scarlet. Examples include train ed and four switchers will be stationed east of Los Angeles, is allowing a reduc- GJROM of April 6 which roared across the Continued on page 16 •

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12. JULY 1990

DENVER & RIO MISSOURI KANSAS TEXAS GRANDE WESTERN The Union Pacific has since purchased Spectacular railroading through the the "Katy" but Pentrex traveled the sys­ Rockies. Travel the Front Range, Royal tem in 1988 before the merger. Witness Gorge and view Amtrak and the famous the famous green paint of the Katy and Ski Train. also its operations through Texas, Okla­ 90 Minutes #PEN-DRGW S59.95 homa and Kansas. STEAM TO LOS ANGEliS 60 Minutes #PEN-KA TY $49.95 The most complete coverage of the steam event of 1989. Both the UP 8444 and SP THE AlASKA RAIlROAD 4449 travel to Los Angeles and their side­ Climb into the cab of an F-unit and ARKANSAS & MISSOURI by-side trip over Cajon Pass is spectac­ travel between Anchorage and Fair­ RAIlROAD ular! banks. Plus, visit the Whittier Shuttle This is an "up close and personal" look at 75 Minutes #PEN-LASTEA S29.95 and freight operations. this all Alco railroad. See thei r Century 90 Minutes #PEN-ALASKA S59.95 420's in action along with their T-6 switcher and their RS-I pulling a special just for us. BRITISH COWMBIA 60 Minutes #PEN-ARK $49.95 Canada's two largest steam locomoti ves, RAILWAY the CP 2860 and CN 6060, doublehead a Steam, Diesels, Electrics and Alcos in passe nger special through British Colum­ action traveling through some of North PRIVATE VARNISH ROUNDUP bia and Alberta. The beauty of the two America's most beautiful scenery. This is A glimpse into many of today's private steam locomotives is matched only by one of our most popular tapes. railroad cars. Shot at the 1985 conven­ the incredible scenery of this trip. 90 Minutes #PEN-BCRAIL S59.95 tion in Portland, Oregon. Luxury rail 60 Minutes #PEN-CANST $29.95 travel at it's finest! Ove r 20 cars featured. 60 Minutes #PEN-PVR S49.95 BEST OF 1984 WASHINGTON Feather River, Cajon Pass, Olympic Spe­ CENTENNIAL STEAM CIal, Speno Rail Grinder and more. SANTA FE TRAINING The Southern Pacific Daylight 4449 tra­ 90 Minutes #PEN-1984 S49.95 TAPE·OD/OM vels over Burlington Northern tracks An in-depth technical training tape pro­ through the Cascade Tunnel in the snow BEST OF duced by Pentrex for the Santa Fe in for an incredible sight. Steam in the snow 1985 operational procedures for their end of BN on M arias Pass, Southern Pacific can't be beat! train devices. Santa Fe, Union Pacific, Amtrak and 60 Minutes #PEN-WASHST $29.95 30 Minutes #PEN-SFETD S30.00 more. Two Hours #PEN-1985 $59.95 UNION PACIFIC 8444·1987 PREVIEW TAPE • VOWME 1 The UP 8444 in it 's new gray paint BEST OF 1986 Highlights from By Daylight to the Fair scheme. Fast 70 mph running between Alaska Railroad, BC Rail, Best of 84 Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, &. Cheyenne and Omaha. Then a Denver to 85, Private Varnish, STEAM EXPO GP 60 demos, railroading in Chicago, Laramie excursion over Sherman Hill. 20 Minutes #PEN-PREVI SIO.OO 60 Minutes #PEN-8444 $49.95 SP 4449 to Hollywood and much more. Two Hours #PEN-1986 $59.95 PREVIEW TAPE • VOWME 2 BEST OF 1987 Highlights from UP 8444, Cajon & Te­ Over 20 operating steam locomotives! hachapi, D&RGW, Best of86&87, Mis­ UP 8444 and 3985, NY&SW, UP & SP The biggest steam event of the century. soun Kansas Texas. Super Bowl Specials, NRHS Conven­ See the Grand Parade of Steam and 20 Minutes #PEN-PREV2 SIO.OO close-ups of all locos. tion with the 121 8 & 61 1 and California 90 Minutes #PEN-EXPO S59.95 Operation Lifesaver. Two Hours #PEN-1987 S59.95 CAJON PASS/ TEHACHAPI LOOP BEST OF 1988 Cotton Belt 819, CSX F-Units, UP 3985, Two of California's most famous rail­ Eastern Canadian Railroads, Mexico roading landmarks. This is a detailed and the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Nar­ look at Southern Pacific, Union Pacific row Gauge. and Santa Fe operations. Two Hours #PEN-1988 S59.95 90 Minutes #PEN-CAJON $59.95

BY DAYUGHT TO THE FAIR The world's most beautiful steam loco­ motive. The 1984 trip from Portland to New Orleans. Includes free audio cas­ sette recorded in cab! 90 Minutes #PEN-DA Y $59.95 BLACKHAWK RAILROAD FILMS JUST $19.95 EACH Did you ever wonder what hap­ Both photographed by J. W. Deely and GREEN MOUNTAIN RAIL­ letter informing the old convict that he pened to those Blackhawk railroad E. R. Blanchard and organ score by ROADING ON THE RUTLAND/ will soon visit the prison. At the same films? The Blackhawk film collection Robert Israel. Black and white. time, a parole is granted and the father was the first chance many railfans 30 Minutes BH-I00 $19.95 WHEN STEAM WAS KING. sends a letter in the name of another had to view vintage film footage of GREEN MOUNTAIN RAIL­ informing the son that he had died. our nation's railroading history. WHITE PASS " YUKON/ ROADING ON THE RUTLAND Returning to the railroad to be near his Blackha wk released numerous Photographed in 1951-52 by Fred son, he arrives in time to foil a plot to RIO GRANDE SOUTHERN/ McLeod. The Rutland Railroad came films in the 1950's and now Pentrex wreck the Limited. Both piano scores by BUSTLING NARROW GAUGE into being in the 1890's through the com­ Jon Mirsalis. Black and white. is proud to make these early films WHITE PASS AND YUKON bination of the Bennington and the Rut­ 47 Minutes BH-500 $19.95 available to our audience of today. Photographed in 1951 by Woodrow land Railway and the Central Vermont's Our selection includes theatrical re­ Gorman. You11 see a variety of White Bellows Falls-Burlington line. In the RAILROADIN' (1941) Pass narrow gauge Mikes - as many as 1920's it was a part of the New York leases with a railroad theme along This film was made by the General Elect­ with films produced strictly for the three on a train - working the 3.9 per­ Central system. A three week strike in 1953 ended passenger operations and ric Company to show America on the railfan. They are in both black and cent grade up the Pass. And a variety of move with her system of railroads. 1941 another strike in 1961 closed the line for white and color. Some have sync mixed trains, passengers, and freights ­ steam, diesel, and electric locomotives along the Yukon - on high trestles - good. Blackhawk® Orchestral score. sound while others have a musical Black and white. and trains of the times from all over the snaking along ledges high above the nation. From Daylights to Hudsons, score to accompany the action. The canyon bottom. Color. quality varies with each film since WHEN STEAM WAS KING steam is covered; Railway Express to Here is steam power from coast to coast meat and grain loadings are shown. some were made as early as 1912! RIO GRANDE SOUTHERN - TRESTLES OF OPHIR as it was twenty-five to thirty years ago. Great shots! This is for all fans. Color. Be sure to take advantage of our Photographed by Woodrow Gorman in Incl. locomotives and trains of the New 27 Minutes BH-600 $19.95 introductory offer of just $19.95 per the years immediately before World War Haven, New York Central, Bessemer tape. II , and in 1950. Shows vintage motive and Lake Erie, Chesapeake and Ohio, STEAM " DIESEL ON THE power and rolling stock mixed with that Pennsylvania, Nickel Plate, Louisville and Nashville, Erie, Great Northern, BESSEMER" LAKE ERIE/ All Blackhawk films available in leased from the Denver and Rio Grande Western and spectacularly pictures the Northern Pacific, Union Pacific, Texas THE DIESELS ROAR ON THE VHS only. most fabulous stretch of mountain rail­ and New Orleans (S.P.) and Santa Fe. PENNSY Photographed and produced by Carl road in the United States which reached Photographed by Fred McLeod DUdley. Piano score by Jon Mirsalis. its pinnacle in the Ophir Loop. Color. "Steam & Diesel" was filmed in 1951-52 Color. so we see passenger service in the twilight BERKSHIRES AND HUDSONS THE BUSTLING NARROW GAUGE 20 Minutes BH-400 $19.95 years. The final run of the daily (except OF THE BOSTON" AUANY/ See the San Juan on the Rio Grande as it prepares for its westbound trip from Sunday) local between North Bessemer RAILROADING IN THE Alamosa and over the mixed gauge to THE GRIT OF THE GIRL and Greenville, PA is shown. "Diesels NORTHEAST Antonito. Then a major sequence of a TELEGRAPHER/ Roar" was filmed between 1952 and the early 60's. See five "Geeps", the west­ BERKSHIRES AND HUDSONS OF westbound freight a pproaching IN THE SWITCH TOWER Cumbres pass with 47 cars (1648 Tons), bound "Duquesne" a Baldwin "Centi­ THE BOSTON & ALBANY THE GRIT OF THE GIRL TELE­ and going around the big loop on the east pede" and much more, a great many of Our film was photographed between GRAPHER (1912) side of the pass. Scenes of the westbound which are now gone. Actual sounds 1936 and 1951 , mostly in the area of ANNA Q. NILSSON, HAL CLEMENTS, San Juan at Cumbres, and eastbound recorded on the scene. Black and white. Springfield, Mass. Some of the trains GUY COOMBS, HEN RY HALLEM, San Juan coming up the 4 percent grade 24 Minutes BH-700 $19.95 you'll see are the New England section of MIRIAM COOPER and around windy point. the Twentieth Century, the New England While the detective's away, thieves will Every title has a marvelous organ score section of the Wolverine, the first day's play and the job of nabbing the noto­ THE THUNDER OF STEAM IN run of the New England States, and performed by Robert Israel on the rious Smoke-up Smith falls to Betty. THE BWE RIDGE Simonton Theatre Pipe Organ. Color. Wendell Wilkie's campaign train. All-in­ Knowing the game is up, Smoke-up Photographed by Fred McLeod 31 Minutes BH-200 $19.95 all, it's a great view of the fading days of steals an engine with our heroine in hot Most of the scenes were photographed in steam, when steam had reached its high pursuit, but he doesn't stand a chance. 1958 in the mountainous area on the point. Black and white. DANGER LIGHTS (1930) Kalem excelled as an early producer of Norfolk & Western's main line between RAILROADING IN THE JEAN ARTHUR, LOUIS WOHLEIM railroad dramas and found double duty Roanoke and Bedford, VA. You'll see NORTHEAST The railroads and railroad men are hero­ for many. Whenever accidents or injury the N& W's tough articulated locomo­ Made in the 1930s and 1940s, when the ic in their dedication to the tenet of giv­ threatened the release schedule of its tives in the 2-6-6-4 and 2-8-8-2 wheel preponderance of motive power was still ing the best possible care to each other popular Hazards of Helen series, Kalem arrangements, pulling and pushing on steam. On the New Haven you11 see 4-6- and their trains. The climax is unex­ reached into the vault for an appropriate the mountain grades, and the n7w mod­ 4s, 4-6-2s, 2-10-2s, and electric. On the pected and thrilling. When life is at its film and The Grit ofth e Girl Telegrapher ern 4-8-4 passenger locomotives on some New York CentraI4-6-4s and a 4-8-2; on bleakest, the true blue railroaders rise to was one chosen for release as The Girl of the road's name trains such as the the Central Vermont, 0-6-0s, 2-10-4s, the test. This film belongs in every rail- Telegrapher's Nerve, the 69th Hazard. Powhatan Arrow, the Cavalier and the 4-6-2s; while on the Delaware & Hudson road lover's collection. Black and White. Black and white. Pocohontas. The actual synchronized sound is music for every rail fan. Color. you'll see 4-6-2s and a 2-8-0. 73 Minutes BH-300 $19.95 IN THE SWITCH TOWER (1915) 20 Minutes BH-800 $19.95 W ALTER EDW ARDS, FRANK BORZAGE Check or Money Order Visa/MasterCard This is the story of a father who neglected his son for drink, and went to prison for VHS or BETA his part in a barroom brawl. It is as touching today as it was over a half­ (All Blackhawk films available in VHS only.) century ago. Years pass and the boy, now grown-up and working for the same rail­ Please add $3.00 shipping per order. Califomia road his father had, realizes that his residents please add 6.15'0 sales tax. anger over the years was a foolish reac­ P.O. Box 94911 tion. Forgiving his father, Frank sends a Pasadena, CA 91109 Continued from page 12 clean up a recent coal-train derailment, track between Carbondale and Woody out of the yard, with two shifts of switch thus making it "the last operating SP Aleo." Creek, thence over replacement trackage crews. SP's SFBL (the Ridgely Turn) w ill laid on the old Rio Grande right-of-way from also be stationed out of Bloomington. Woody Creek to Aspen. Planned are a mini­ Aspen Branch Revival? mum of 10 stations. The targeted cost for the system is $37.5 million. If funded, the Last Alco to Run on SP? Although D&RGW's Aspen Branch is largely system could be up and running by 1993 out of service south of Carbondale, Colo., and could be expected to carry 5,340 pas­ Long a fixture at the Chrome Crankshaft rails remain in place as far as Woody Creek, sengers in its first year, jumping to 10,000 "used locomotive lot" in San Bernardino, an exclusive hamlet eight miles north of As­ passengers by 2010. There are, however, a former SP Alco S6 No. 1221 has found a pen. Enter Roaring Fork Transit Agency, couple snags to this grand proposal. First, new home in Tulare, in California's San which runs public buses in Aspen and no governmental agency, corporation or in­ Joaquin Valley. It is now the property of J. Snowmass and along adjacent Colorado dividual has yet come up with a source of D. Heiskell & Co., Inc., a grain elevator highway 82 . This agency is now advocating money. Secondly, no one has talked to Rio alongside the SP tracks. The Aleo was development of passenger rail service along Grande about using their trackage or right­ shipped in solid blue paint, with lettering the corridor to serve Aspen's traffic-snarling of-way. Remember what killed Roaring Fork and logos added after it arrived. It is num­ commuting workforce. A just-completed Railroad's planned and well-financed pas­ bered 1886, after the founding year of the study concluded that rail service would be senger operation projected to run from Den­ firm, and is named The Jefferson Davis af­ the most-effective and least-expensive op­ ver to Aspen a few years back? ter the company's founder. All lettering and tion for dealing with the Roaring Fork Valley Thanks to Scott Muskopf, Miles logos are in yellow. A radio-control pack­ and Colorado 82's traffic problems. Envi­ Moran, Mark Denis, G. R. Hound, Tom age was added after it arrived for duty. In­ sioned are self-propelled diesel trolleys, per­ Richardson, SF UPDATE, Steve Smedley terestingly, SP asked to borrow it to help haps RDCs, running on upgraded D&RGW and Daniel Schroeder. BURLINGTON NORTHERN

1,450 tons by the end of the year. Traffic RoadRailers for Boise Cascade Paper currently moves by piggyback on trains 141 Intermodal News and 142 and, to a lesser extent, by boxcar Boise Cascade and BN will be studying the on trains 893/894 and 835/836. At this time, In a somewhat shocking news develop­ feasibility of moving paper products from it is unknown what distribution method will ment, BN planned to discontinue trains 16 International Falls, Minn., to St. Paul by be employed to break down shipments in and 17 between Seattle and Vancouver, RoadRailer. Boise Cascade plans to increase St. Paul. A test of the RoadRailer concept B.C., in early May. Despite healthy week­ the daily capacity of its plant from 575 to could occur as early as June. day loadings of 40 to 50 trailers each way

In 1985, Chard Walker's Cajon-Rail Passage to the Pacific was released . .. and quickly became one of the bestselling rail books of the decade. Now, Chard brings you a brand-new collection of photography from this famous railfan location, showcasing the work of more than 40 top rail photographers! Cajon takes you from Santa Fe's classic shops and depot at San Bernardino to the top of Cajon Summlt, and ftom Summit across the High Desert to Victorville and the starkly beautiful Mojave Narrows. Along the way, you'll see the trains of Cajon in all their thundering glory . .. from Santa Fe 4·8·4s and Super Chiefi to Super Fleet FP45s . .. from UP's City olLos Angeles trains to Centennials and "Dash Eight" GEs . .. and from SP bicentennials to "tunnel motor" quintets. And it's all capped off with a full·color look at the "great steam race" of 1989, between UP 8444 and SP 4449! Filled with more than 250 color and black & white images, it's a book that will reacquaint railfans to the wonder and drama of today's Cajon Pass ... as it enters the nineties and beyond! 184 pages, 119 colot and 174 B&W photos, 8 lhxll" hardbound with color dust jacket. By Chard Walker. ISBN 87046·095·3. TAB 295 (add $2 p/h) ...... • ...... • ...... •... . •...... 53.95 MODELING CAJON Whether you 're a beginner or a veteran modeler, this book is for you! Cajon Pass .. . Sullivan's Curve . . . Summit . .. double track and sidings-it can all be yours and author Pete Youngblood shows you how to do it, with layouts tied to prototype maps, HO scale plans for build· ings, signals, stations, the works , includes prototype and model photos, too . .. the modeler's companion to CAJON-Razl Passage to the Pacific, now back in print! 72 pages, 120 photos and plans, 8 lhxll" softbound with color cover. ISBN 0·87046·073·0. . 13 .95

16. JULY 1990 per day, the high cost of building a new intermodal facility in Vancouver, coupled with U.S. Customs requirements that only one trailer be handled per flatcar, will cause the diversion of traffic to the high­ way system. Reflecting the ebb of intermodalload­ ings out of Seattle on Sundays, BN has designated train 18 as the combination of traffic normally moved on Nos. 4 and 14 on busier days.

Operating Changes

Burlington Northern has proposed to op­ erate garbage trains from Everett to Roo­ sevelt, Wash. (located 41 miles east of Wishram on the Columbia River). employ­ ing two-man crews and extended crew districts. The plan calls for crews to be based out of Centralia, with traffic to be handled in sets of 14 doublestack, five­ pack platforms, operating three times per week. The garbage-hauling service could begin as early as September 1990. Several schedule changes took place in the Pacific Northwest in early April, On Feb. 28, 1990, Burlington Northern 9212 leads three other wide-nose SD60Ms through the particularly in the former "Inside Gate­ East Decker (Mont.) coal mine complex. BN's super cab SD60Ms will not get the media ex­ way." Trains 681/682 now operate be­ posure of their colorful new four-axle brethren recenlly acquired by Santa Fe, but the units tween Portland and Bieber, Calif., while are giving BN's lucrative coal-hauling operations a big boost. Kirk Petty No. 689 has been eliminated from the cor­ ridor. Trains 693/694, which formerly op­ trains tend to employ pure sets of BN erated between Seattle and Klamath power, the need to repay horsepower-hour Locomotive Fleet to Get AVI Tags Falls, Ore., had their southern terminus credits often finds connecting roads' units cut back to Portland. Trains 600/601, plying BN in general freight service. Of By mid-1990, BN hopes to have its locomo­ which formerly operated between Seattle particular note to many trackside ob­ tive fleet, along with rear-end monitoring and Wenatchee, Wash., now run between servers in the West has been a large fleet devices and its remaining cabooses and Wenatchee and Longview, handling pri­ of CR and CSX diesels "balancing the fuel tenders, equipped with Automatic Ve- marily woodchips for pulp mills at the lat­ books." ter locale. Conrail six-axle units have been spot­ At the eastern end of the railroad, Du­ ted everywhere on the property, with luth, Winnipeg & Pacific connection 142 SD40 6274 being a long-term guest from was extended from Minneapolis to Chica­ late March until early May. The aging go, providing run-through service to CSX. EMD was noted on No. 15 at Northtown GANDY· DANCER Much of the Canadian-originated raw-ma­ on March 23, back into Chicago on the VIDEOI terials business moved on 142 out of Su­ point of NO . 8 on the 30th and on No. 110 The Union Pacific Railroad perior was formerly moved on No. 104 out at Dilworth, Minn., on May 6. SD40-2s DIESELS of Northtown. This train was regularly 6379/6396/6420 and SD50 6782 were re­ • Cheyenne-Wellt Part I running in two sections by late March, ported at several locations around the sys­ Cheyenne to Sherman Hill- $49.95 encouraging BN to make the schedule tem, with perhaps the most notable being • Cheyenne-Welit Part n change. With this revision, westbound the 6420 teamed up with Oakway SD60s Sherman Hill to Laramie - $49.96 manifest traffic out of Chicago for the 9027 and 9088 on a flood-created detour • Cheyenne-East, Part I Twin Cities is moved on trains 19, 101, movement at Lawton, Okla., on April 22. Cheyenne to Sidney over Archer Hill- $49.95 103 and 107, while eastbound business is CSX continues to send a mix of primari­ • Cheyenne-East, Part n Sidney to North Platte down !.he rut moved on trains 104, 110, 142 and 204. ly EMD units to BN to balance off various track. - $49.96 While mentioning Canadian run­ coal contracts. On April 17, for example, through operations, another unit sulfur GP38AC 2159 worked on No. 42 into • Steam Specials '89, Part I The power and excitement of train was received from CN/DW&P on May Chicago, while GP40 6836 worked on No. 8444 " 3986 - $49.96 5, with the pooled power kept intact to 110 (the Conrail run-through). Meanwhile, • Steam Spedais '89, Part n Chicago. BN SD40-2 8156 led CN SD40s GP38DC 2106 worked several trips be­ Experience !.he glory and lllllieity 5027/5024 on the 98-car US500, trailed by tween Chicago and Minneapolis during of 844 - $49.96 CN waycar 78102. A variation on the cus­ the last week of April and was noted at Koch !.ape; 1:lO mino. quality coler md IOIIIId; VIIS. Ord.rfrom: G....t, n-- ~ tomary mix of pooled power in this service the Northtown diesel shop on the 29th. 1430 411t A...... Greeley, CO 806S4. took place on March 24, as Soo SD40-2 More conventional Western power has (303) :Ii 1.(1718. Cboo:k CI' Kauoy Order. 6618 and CN SD40 5205 teamed up to han­ been frequenting BN as well, with Santa PIeue add $3 ~ pll'onIor. dle a 92-car No. 141 into Superior, Wis. Fe SD40-2 5048 assigned to the 46-RC260 CoUJrodD ,.,id",,, add ~ tala IGL at Alliance and UP C30-7 2437 on No. 237 at Lincoln, both occurring March 31. The Update on Pooled Power Status epitome of pooled power convergence Fast News and Special Trains took place at Northtown on April 17, as Did you hear about the Mar27 Operation Lifesaver With a general increase of interline coal the following off-line units were noted si­ Special, Oakland-Sacramento? How about the Mar31 train service, BN has found its fleet of multaneously at the diesel shop: AT&SF SP shippers' special, L.A.-Phoenix AZ? Flimsies 3,000-h.p., six-axle locomotives wandering C30-7 8114, CN SD40 5211, CR C39-8 6625, printed advance notice of both of these, and you could all over the western two-thirds of the DW&P SD40 5908, KCS SD40-2 646, and have seen them yourself. $25/year for 26 issues. country. Since many of these run-through Soo SD40s 739 and 744. Flimsies, P.O. Box 6776-P, Orange, CA 92613

PACIFIC RAILNews • 17 hicle Identification (AVI) tags. Concurrent­ Springfield, Mo .-all GP39Es and GP40Es, the 1st and sisters 9247/9249 coming on ly, BN will install tag readers at 15 to 18 plus GP39Ms 2810, 2811, 2813 and 2814 the 4th. The 9223 spent nearly a month at terminal locations, thus solving reportabil­ and SD9u 6246 ; Havre, Mont.-all remain­ La Grange for warranty w ork, finally ity problems with distribution and utiliza­ ing GP39Ms and all GP40Ms; working west to the coal fields on the tion of motive power and rear-end devices. Denver-GP40Gs 3075-79 and SD40Gs point of No. 19 on March 25 through Min­ 7303-09 ; Lincoln-GP40Gs 3080-84; Glen­ nesota. These units are generally restrict­ dive, Mont.-SD9us 6242, 6243 and 6245 ; ed to coal train service out of Glendive for Remanufactured Motive Power Status Interbay-SD9us 6240, 6241, 65244 and Minnesota and Wisconsin destinations, 6247 and SD40Gs 7300-02. although the 9243 has been tested in gen­ By the end of April, BN had received the eral freight service during April and May last three of its GP/CAT rebuilds from . .. A pair of GATX GP40s has been wan­ Generation II, including units 2005, 2006 U30C Fleet Status dering BN this spring, with units 3702 and 2009. The entire 10-unit fleet of four­ and 3724 generally working between axle CAT-powered products is based out With the delivery of the first 50 SD60Ms, Chicago and Lincoln or Kansas City .. . of Northtown, often working on Expediter the U30C fleet has been decimated, with McCloud River SD38s 36 and 37 have also trains to Chicago, as well as local assign­ 124 units remaining as of April 17. As of been leased for service on Interior Gate­ ments on the Lakes Division. that date, only 52 were in active service, way between Bieber, Calif., and Klamath VMV has secured a major contract with with 37 stored serviceable, 15 stored un­ Falls, Ore . . .. On the other side of the BN for 1990, as the Paducah-based firm serviceable and 20 being returned to their coin, BN has sent ex-Frisco GP40-2s to will rebuild 40 ex-GM&O and CSX GP35s lessor (Railway Motive Power Services at C&NW to equalize horsepower-hour cred­ into GP39Vs, to be numbered in the 2960- Spokane). its generated by run-through SD50/SD60s . 99 series. In the meantime, demonstrator The active fleet as of mid-April includ­ On April 12, units 3051 and 3062 w ere 3600 continues to ply BN rails, noted on ed 5300, 5301 , 5303, 5305, 5353, 5356-59, spotted at Proviso . . . The two F9s used No. 241 at St. Paul on May 1. 5361, 5362 , 5364-67 , 5369-94, 5801 , 5834, as snowplow power units reported at EMD continues to crank out rebuilt 5836-38, 5921 and 5940-44. Units moved to West Burlington last month should re­ GP35s at La Grange, with units 2912-15 Spokane for disposition included 5339, ceive an overhaul and green paint for and 2924 delivered during late March and 5341-45, 5348-51, 5900, 5901 , 5903-05 and shippers' specials by July 1. Sister unit April. Concurrent to the emergence of 5907-11. 972568 was spotted en route to Burling­ new GP39Es is the retirement of the re­ ton at Northtown on April 19, perhaps to maining GP35 fleet, with units 2529, 2534, be used as a backup to the first pair of 2551 and 2557 noted in Chicago during Motive Power Sho rts wagons. April. Thanks to Burlington Northern, Mike In addition to the GP/CAT assignments The last of the new SD60Ms were deliv­ Cleary, Patrick Flynn, Fred Hyde, Michael listed above, the balance of BN's remanu­ ered to BN in Chicago from GTW in early Kiriazis, NORTHWEST RAILFAN, RAILWAY A GE factured fleet is deployed as follows: April, with units 9246/9248 received on and Tom Robinson. CHICAG WESTERN

jumped $46 million due to the cost of ser­ North Western's traffic for 1990 contin­ Blackstone Buyout: A Good Deal? vicing the buyout debt and $14.9 million in ues to be soft. Through March year-to­ fees associated with the transaction. The date carloadings had declined from Chicago & North Western Holdings Corpo­ result was that Holdings lost $20.8 million 477,449 to 475,427, although business dur­ ration, the company formed by the Black­ for the year. ing the month of March took a slight up­ stone Capital Partners-led investment North Western blamed reduced coal turn. group to buyout C&NW parent CNW Cor­ consumption by Commonwealth Edison poration in July 1989, released its 1989 (due to competition from that utility's nu­ earnings report in April, and the news clear power plants) and Wisconsin Power New Materials Service Center wasn't good. Net revenue declined from & Light (due to cooler summer weather $965.7 million in 1988 to $954.6 million in than the brutal heat wave experienced in An often-ignored railroad function is per­ 1989 (the former figure excludes revenue 1988), slow shipments of agricultural com­ formed by the stores or purchasing de­ earned by the lines sold to the Fox River modities such as soybeans (a lingering ef­ partment, which is in charge of buying the Valley in December 1988). While operating fect of the 1988 drought) and reduced bulk many parts and materials the company income increased $17 million for the year, commodities business (due in part to the needs to keep operating. In past years, the owing primarily to a $26 million reduction rerouting of bentonite traffic off the Cow­ stores department typically oversaw vast in operating expenses, interest expense boy Line) for this disappointing result. Fi­ inventories of materials, from bridge gird­ nancial analysts, though, said the compa­ ers to machine screws, and doled them ny's heavy debt load was already raising out to the operating, engineering and me­ questions about its future. Another con­ chanical departments by means of slow­ Back Issues cern is C&NW's exposure to arbitration moving "company material" boxcars and awards stemming from its effort to take gondolas. Available advantage of its congressionally imposed North Western, like other railroads, had crew consist settlement of 1988, which streamlined and computerized the pur­ AT ORIGINAL COVER permits it to reduce crews on certain chasing process in earlier years. Its stores PRICE! trains to two persons. Holdings has estab­ department was centralized at Melrose lished no financial reserve for such Park, Ill. (Proviso Yard) in 1969; it was Some issues are in limited quantities. awards. "We conclude that [Holdings] has known as the Material Distribution Center. so hurryl For a complete list. send a sufficient liquidity to survive the next thee The MDC, however, continued to maintain self-addressed long (# ) 0) envelope to: to four years but probably will not gener­ an inventory of parts and materials which ate enough cash to cover principal pay­ it shipped to other company departments PACIFIC RAILNEWS ments and capital expenditures," wrote in boxcars which were too old or small for P. O. Box 6128 analyst Jonathan Bernstein in a report dis­ C&NW's revenue customers, including Glendale, CA 91 225 tributed by Freeman Securities Co. Inc. in (during the 1970s) 40-footers painted for Jersey City, N.J. Minneapolis & St. Louis and Chicago, St.

18. JULY 1990 Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha. This practice than to chastise the North Western for tied up scarce capital which the debt-bur­ cutting service on the line down to once a r dened North Western of 1990 can ill afford week, a fairly clear indication it would to misemploy. prefer to see a privately funded acquisi­ Carl Loucks To put this capital to better use, tion of the line. ... SELLING RAILROAD TIMETABLES North Western has closed the MDC in fa­ 199 Wayland St., North Haven, cr 06473 vor of a just-in-time materials system managed by an office named the Materi­ Depots Demolished SPECIALS OF THE MONTH .•• als Service Center in C&NW's downtown a few of the more than 250,000 items in our Chicago corporate headquarters. Instead The North Western's station at Ripon, stock, We do NOT sell any reprints. All are of shipping materials to a company Wis., was razed on April 9 by the new original railroad issue. You'll learn about rail­ storehouse like the MDC for reshipment, owner of the underlying property, Condon road operations from these ... C&NW suppliers now send parts or­ Oil Co. , to permit expansion of its opera­ dered by the MSC directly to the using tions. Condon had bought the depot and UNION PACIFIC SAFETY department via commercial carriers such underlying property in 1986, after C&NW RADIO & GENERAL RULES - as United Parcel Service. North Western abandoned rail service to Ripon. There 1985 edition, hardcover binder, covers every­ cut its supplier ranks from 500 to 350 thing from how to couple cars to sending train had been a local effort to save the 1892 orders by radio. firms which can get quality parts direct­ brick building, but preservationists had ly to the using department on time. Even been unable to work out a deal with Con­ SPECIAL ...... $12. the using department is sometimes by­ don to obtain the land. Moreover, the EMPLOYEE TIMETABLES: passed; car seals, for example, are now building had reached an advanced state of The best way to learn about railroad opera­ sent directly from outside manufacturer deterioration with crumbling bricks, an tions. Line by line, branch by branch complete to shipper without first going through a unsound roof and broken windows. This details. storehouse and a railroad agent. Further made it impractical to move the station off ATSF-Western Region 1989 ...... $12. economies are expected as more trans­ Condon's property to a city-owned site, ATSF-Texas Division 1988 ...... $ 9. actions are shifted from paper to elec­ even if money had been available for its CN-Prairie Region 1988 ...... $10. tronic data interchange, which already restoration. CSX-Florence Div 1987 ...... $ 9. accounts for 20 percent of the MSC's The old C&NW depot at Hastings, CSX-Tampa Div 1987 ...... $ 9. business. Neb., was demolished in February and NS-Eastern Div 1988 ...... $ 9. early March. North Western once had an NS-Georgia Div 1988 ...... $ 9. extensive network of branch lines in NS-Kentucky Div 1989 ...... $ 9. Cowboy Line Abandonment? southeastern Nebraska, one of which NS-Pocahontas Div 1985 ...... $ 9. reached Hastings, but this line was aban­ PC-Southern Region 1989 ...... $ 8. North Western management has made it SP-Eastern Region 1986 ...... $10. doned in 1942. In later years, this brick SP-Western Region 1986 ...... $10. clear that the company will have to start structure, built in 1920, was used by Mis­ UP-System 1986 ...... $12. the abandonment process for the 330-mile souri Pacific, but MP closed its agency ANY FIVE ABOVE FOR JUST .. $35. Cowboy Line between Norfolk and there after the UP merger in 1982. A new Chadron, Neb., unless a reasonable offer owner had planned to redevelop or sell PUBLIC TIMETABLE SPECIAL: is made soon. On April 16, C&NW chair­ the station for further use, but was unable The history of your favorite road told in time­ man Robert Schmiege told reporters the to do so. tables. One from the 1940's, one from the North Western would have to find a buyer 1950's, one from the 1960's ... 3 System time­ for the line by May 18 to forestall an aban­ tables for only $15.00. Choose from ATSF, donment. "We've had lots of people kicking Locomotive Order Confirmed ACL, CB&Q, D&H, DL&W, CV, C&O, B&O, IC, the tires and looking at it [the line]," said GN, NH, NYC, N&W, NP, PRR, LV, WAB, UP. Schmiege, but "somebody has to belly up The North Western has confirmed that it Six sets of 3 - 18 Timetables for $60.00. to the bar and make an offer" to get the has ordered 12 more C40-8s (Dash 8-40Cs) process off dead center. Up to that date 10 from General Electric. The frames for EMPLOYEE TIMETABLE to 15 potential buyers had examined the these locomotives were on the floor of STARTER KIT: line, but none had put an offer on the GE's Erie, Pa., assembly plant in early Ideal for the new collector. Ten employee table. When the deadline passed, two May, and delivery of the units is expected timetables, hours of interesting reading about railroad operations. One each from the SP, unidentified parties had submitted pur­ in August. The new units will be essen­ UP, ICG, SBD, SOU, ATSF, BN, MP, L&N, chase proposals for the line; C&NWoffi­ tially the same as those GE delivered last and GN. cials are currently studying the offers and year to C&NW (i.e., no UP-style crew com­ All ten for $35.00 will make no comments about their viabili­ fort cab) and will be numbered after them ty. In the meantime, C&NW confirmed that as 8531-8542. The railroad does not plan MAJOR RAILROAD the line would be placed on the carrier's to trade in any units on this order. EMPLOYEE TIMETABLES system diagram map in Category 1 (antici­ You'll receive seven different ETTs covering pated to be abandoned). which would per­ various divisions of these major lines. Random mit the company to file an abandonment Super 7s Head Out dates from the 70's and 80's. Choose from : application this fall. ATSF ...... 7 ETTs for ...... $30. The problem with the Cowboy line is The North Western relinquished control of CN ...... 7 ETTs for ...... $30. plainly evident-there isn't enough local General Electric's three demonstrator six­ ICG ...... 7 ETTs for ...... $30. business between Norfolk and Chadron motor Super 7 rebuilds, GE 3000-3002, in L&N ...... 7 ETTs for ...... $30. to generate the revenue needed to pay mid-May. The units were due to be inter­ N&W ...... 7 ETTs for ...... $30. the debt that would be incurred by a pri­ changed with CSX at Chicago about May SP ...... 7 ETTs for ...... $30. vate operator in buying the line. Given 15. These locomotives apparently made a ANY FOUR SETS FOR ...... $100. the current level of business, no bank good showing in their four and a half would finance a purchase for the $8 mil­ months of operation on the coal line. Tests New Catalogue Issued Monthly lion scrap value C&NW has placed on the reportedly showed that a Super 7 teamed Sent with each order or SSAE line. Presumably that obstacle prompted with two C40-8s could pull a loaded train Wade Wobig of Western Horizons Rail­ almost as fast as two C40-8s and an SD60, way Systems, an employee-led group in­ even though the latter combination has an Carl Loucks terested in saving the line, to tell the 800-h.p. advantage. . . . SELUNG RAILROAD TIMETABLES press in late April that state funding for Thanks to Larry Easton, Jim Seacrest, 199 Wayland St., Norch Haven, cr 06473 the purchase would be vital. The state Michael M. Bartels, E. E. Valentine, and legislature, though, has gone no further THE NORTH WESTERN DISPATCH.

PACIFIC RAILNews. 19 REG/ONA

This month's Regionals column was con­ tributed by our new "Eastern" regionals columnist George Widener. Please contact George at the address shown on the table of contents page with news on Wisconsin Central, Fox River Valley, Iowa Interstate, Chicago Central & Pacific, Gateway West­ ern and Wisconsin & Calumet.-D.G.

Fox River Valley-Gator Sandwiches and Other Delicious Lashups Early this year, Wisconsin's "Alco-haulic" community received a treat when Green Bay & Western purchased all six of Lake Superior & Ishpeming's ex-AT&SF RSD15s. Initial rumors stated these units would be used by GB&W for a new coal train; how­ ever, the units were spotted in Green Bay in early January stenciled for Fox River Valley Railroad. Two units, 2401 and 2402, were renumbered 2406 and 2407 so as not to conflict with FRVR's two ex-Maryland Fox River Valley Railroad is a great road for seeing colorful lashups of vintage motive power. Midland, (originally CB&Q) SD24s. On May 13, 1990, the BUGBA (Butler-Green Bay) crosses Little Butte des Morts Lake near Green Bay & Western performed all the Menasha, Wis., led by FRVR-painted 5024 2402, Green Bay & Western-owned ex-AT&SF/LS&I mechanical work on the Alco prime RS015 2407 and ex-Southern chop-nose 5035 2500. Tom Danneman movers at its Green Bay Shops, then FRVR did major truck work at its ex-C&NW Nor­ service; GB&W is working on them sec­ been delivering the taconite trains to wood shops. The first unit released was ondary to its own Alco fleet. The Gators FRVR in thirds, apparently to ease the the 2406. The 2,400-h.p. behemoth led are used anywhere on FRVR, even on the stress on track structure. train GBBUA (Green Bay-Butler) on Feb. C&NW run through trains, giving the 24 , 1990, with the 2401 and 2402 trailing. Chicago area a second dose of Alco smoke After a few weeks of break-in, the unit (BRC maintains a small fleet of C424s). Wisconsin Central Notes was released into FRVR's generallocomo­ Unfortunately, the Alligators are rarely tive pool. The 2404 was up and running in found on the point of a train. According to In late April, Wisconsin Central hosted a early April, and the 2407 was seen at But­ crews, the RSD15s ride very rough and are number of special passenger movements. ler, Wis. , on May 6. It is not known when quite drafty. Crews have even been known The 6553 (see note below) led a three-car the remaining units will be released for to wye their power at Butler just to reposi­ banker's special consisting of the cars Sil­ tion a Gator. There has only been one ver Lodge, Silver Chalet and Prairie Rose. known instance of all three operating The first two cars are owned by Quad­ Gators on one train, GBPTA of Sunday, May Graphics, a large printing company head­ 6. This train is normally used to reposition quartered in Sussex, Wis., and also one of Tunnels, power for that evening's BUGBA (Butler­ WC's biggest on-line customers. A few days Trestles, Green Bay) or PRGBB (Proviso-Green Bay). later, ex-MILW SDL39 587 pulled Praine In other FRVR news: The 2500, FRVR's Rose on a quick sprint to Fond du Lac. If Switohbaoks SD35 (ex-Southern Railway 3024, tastefully you've ever tried to chase one of WC's pas· & Curves chop-nosed and left in Southern Railway senger specials, you know why this seg­ dress with FRV initials by FRVR's Norwood ment could be titled "60, Usually ..." For the Shops) is back in service after a run in with uninformed, when cornered on the rear a set of GP7s near Appleton. The unit was platform of Prairie Rose in the Siding at down for nearly two months with pilot and Slinger, Wis. , meeting Milwaukee-bound other front end damage. No. 12, WC President Ed Burkhardt was Chicago & North Western's Granville asked, "What speed are your passenger ex­ Subdivision, over which FRVR trains run to tras authorized over the line?" He calmly reach Butler, has been upgraded to 30 mph. replied, "Sixty, usually." Then he laughed. Relaxation and great This substantially reduces the running time Recently, SD45 6553 was released from family fun in the heart of through the sags to Wiscona Junction. the paint shop wearing a brighter shade of the scenic redwoods. A perfect Ore trains should be running again yellow paint. It is not known if this means day's adventure aboard the historic soon on FRVR; sources indicate the con­ a change of paint schemes or not. tract with C&NW has been renewed, and Longtime friend of both Wisconsin Cen­ trains or motorcars of the famous Skunk there will be an undetermined number of tral and Soo Line, Francis Weiner passed Train. Leave Fort Bragg on the Mendocino trains operating in the fourth quarter of away in late April. Fran had served as coast or Willits Depot on Hwy 10l. 1990. The trains have been symbolled WC's "unofficial official" photographer. It is For brochure or reservations, write or ISICS (Ishpeming-Illinois Central taconite) speculated that a locomotive will be call the Skunk Train, PO. Box 907, southbound, and ICISX northbound. The named in his honor. Our condolences to Fort Bragg, CA 95437. (P) trains originate at Tilden Mine in Michi­ Fran's wife, Dorothy. gan's Upper Peninsula, and go to USX's Special thanks to Bob Gallegos, Fred (707) 964·637l. Fairfield (Ala.) Steel Works. In a related Steffen, Mike Morris, Larry the MIC, note, after derailing 19 loaded cars north Lance Burton, Ed Burkhardt, NORTHWEST­ Ride the Skunks of Green Bay in early April, C&NW has ERN LINES and the Beecher boys.

20. JULY 1990 DA WEST

erations would still be retained, but the ment clerks at most division points in Canadian National old CN coach yard and buildings would be western Canada. A major move occurred removed. April 13 when operators at Thornton Yard Delivery of Canadian National's latest mo­ Previous columns mentioned the rare (Port Mann) and Kamloops, B.C., and Ed­ tive-power order, 30 Dash 8-40CMs num­ visit of three large MLW units to Edmon­ son and Calder (in Alberta) were eliminat­ bered 2400-2429, had essentially been ton in February; a fourth relatively rare ed, coinciding with the discontinuation of completed by the end of March. As of mid­ visitor in the form of straight GP40 9304 issuing clearances to trains in CTC territo­ April all were working out of Montreal, (originally CN 4004) worked through Ed­ ry. Operator jobs on a 24-hour basis re­ however it is understood some will be monton's Calder Yard on March 25. The main in dispatching offices in Calder, coming to the West for testing against the unit worked west on train 201XA25 en Karnloops and Prince George for the pur­ SD50Fs and SD60Fs. route to the Pacific coast at Thornton Yard pose of reporting delays and monitoring On Feb. 28 , CN officially abandoned its (Port Mann) and returned to the East from hot box tapes, and the operator job at Sec­ last operation on Vancouver Island, the Calder on March 29 . As in the case of the ond Narrows Bridge in Vancouver also car­ Cowichan Sub-or at least what little re­ MLW visitors, it has been some time since ries on, mainly to copy orders and issue all mained of it-from Victoria (Point Ellice) one of CN's 15 straight GP40s (4002-4010, BN clearances at Vancouver, including west to end of yard limits and the Saanich 4012-4017) has been as far west as even those for CN and VIA movements operat­ Spur, a total of 3.3 miles of track. The last Edmonton; continuing through to the ing on BN trackage rights. Even the Sec­ movement was two empty cars from Bor­ coast was even more unusual. ond Narrows job would likely be eliminat­ den Mercantile on Jan. 5, but the last CN Canadian National dispatchers no ed if BN were to take over operation of the unit on the island, GMD1 No. 1070, did not longer control train movements by the use short portion of CTC which CN utilizes to leave Victoria until March 19 (dead in a of train orders; all movements are either move trains from Willingdon Junction on CPR freight to Nanaimo, for transfer to CTC or Manual Block System, the latter BN through the tunnel and over Second Vancouver and return to CN rails). All that similar to Track Warrant or Direct Train Narrows Bridge to Lynn Creek Yard in remains now is the task of removing the Control. The last "movement" type of train North Vancouver. track. order (as opposed to a "slow" or "bulletin" Negotiations apparently are under way type order) was transmitted at 2322 AST between CN and Greyhound Lines that Jan. 15 by the dispatcher at Moncton, -BC Rail could lead to renovation of CN's Vancouver N.B ., to the yardmaster at Rockingham station as the new Vancouver bus termi­ Yard near Halifax, N.S. The first four BCR General Electric Dash nal/railway station; a target completion Canadian National has been slowly 8-40CMs, Nos. 4602-4605, arrived on the date of summer 1991 is rumored. VIA op- converting operator jobs to train move- property on April 22 ; all should be on the

PACIFIC RAILNews. 21 property by the time you read this. The A gremlin crept into the April 1990 5720, 5718, 5701, 5717. The string of near­ units were hauled west dead-in-consist PRN on page 41, with reference to C426 ly identical blue coaches made for a very by regular Canadian National trains. No. 609, this refers to C425 No. 809 and classical train, reminiscent of busier days They were set up for service at Prince "crooked" should read "cooked" (i.e., heavi­ on the passenger scene. George and entered regular service in ly overloaded/overheated causing a major Baggage car 9614, used in filming "Nar­ early May after an employee training pe­ failure of the electrical insulation). By mid­ row Margin" on BC Rail, was ex-Southern riod. Meanwhile, there is no word as to April the 809 was nothing more than a coach 830 (built by Budd in 1949), which when or how many of the "big Alco" units hulk in the Squamish bone yard. became Amtrak 5291 , later returned to will be leaving-though various rumors "Philadelphia" RDC1 BC-20 has been Southern in 1979 and in turn was sold to Alabama Chapter-NRHS . VIA purchased abound. undergoing a major rebuilding and up­ RS18C No. 609 was completed at the grading to BC Rail specifications and was the car in September 1989 and numbered Squamish shops in April and was placed scheduled for release May 15 as BC-14. it 135 ; it became 8135 after conversion to in service in early May, initially in the The ex-Reading RDC1s have been called electric heat. VIA now has 17 cars so con­ Squamish yard so a close watch could be 2s by BC Rail (thus the numbers in the 20 verted: coaches 8104, 8117, 8118 and kept on the unit. Work on the second series) to differentiate them from the oth­ 8120, Chateau sleepers 8202, 8216 and Caterpillar rebuild, No. 617, had by mid­ er RDC1s (BC-10 to BC-12) . The Philadel­ 8221, Manor sleepers 8321 , 8325 and 8331 , April consisted mostly of stripping her in phia cars retain nearly as-built configura­ diners 8408 and 8409, Skyline 8515, bag­ preparation for conversion. From lessons tions, whereas BCR's other cars had all gage-dorm 8601 and 8604 and Park obser­ learned in building the first unit, subse­ received major rebuildings and have air­ vation-domes 8702 and 8715. quent rebuilds will have the carbody line-style interiors. Meanwhile BC Rail is raised eight inches (to the approximate negotiating with VIA for several more height of the cab roof), and rather than Budd cars. -CPRaii reusing and modifying the original rear end of the carbody, an entirely new car­ CP Rail is constructing a new line as it re­ body rear end will be fabricated, as it has -VIA locates its Crowsnest Sub in southern Al­ proved difficult to match the original MLW berta between mileages 63.93 and 67.23, factory contours. Compared to other, On March 29 preliminary discussions were between Pincher and Cowley; this is due much-simpler Cat-rebuilds, the BC Rail held between the Federal Government to the building of the Oldman River Dam project is much more involved-basically and the British Columbia government on and reservoir which will flood the existing building a new locomotive . .. using the the subject of the fed's transferring juris­ CPR bridge at mileage 65 .2. The relocated frame, trucks and carbody of an RS18. diction over the E&N (CPR) lines on Van­ line will be mostly tangent track except for May 12 was the last day for train orders couver Island to the province. It is also ru­ a three-degree curve just west of the new on BC Rail. Previously it had used train or­ mored the feds may drop their appeal of Castle bridge and a second curve at the ders for operations from Prince George the court decision on the VIA service on new western connection. A pair of very south and MBS (Manual Block System Vancouver Island. Meanwhile, VIA refuses steep but short grades will lead off the rules) clearances for operations from to supply additional cars to protect the new bridge which itself is level; eastward Prince George north. Effective May 13 , it E&N service; it has retired all Budd cars grade will be 3.5 percent, westward an is MBS systemwide, and the last use of except the two in Victoria (RDC1s 6133 even three percent. The bridge will be 800 train orders anywhere in British Columbia and 6134) and two retained in the East. feet long with four main spans and an ap­ comes to an end. How this will affect the These cars have their share of problems, proach span at either end. operators is not yet known; at most sta­ and usually at least one (and sometimes CPR is also constructing a bypass tions handing train orders was only a mi­ both) is down with mechanical ailments. around Red Deer, Alta., from the area of nor part of their job, however notice has On more than one occasion they have had Tuttle (mileage 89.3 Red Deer Sub) to been given that effective July 29 all opera­ to haul a dead RDC with a CPR diesel to about mileage 9 on the Leduc Sub, south tor positions are being abolished. This will maintain the service. of Blackfalds. A new bridge has already mean the closing of at least one station, at A passenger extra operated with dead­ been built to span the Red Deer River, Pemberton. head equipment leaving Vancouver April grading is well advanced and a small por­ Royal Hudson operations were sched­ 19, arriving Edmonton mid-evening April tion of track has been laid at the south end uled to start for the 1990 season on May 20; it returned to Vancouver with a special of the bypass. The new route will be more 20 , with little change from previous years. group on April 21, with an overnight stop direct than the existing curving line Look for some major changes next year. planned at Kamloops. Equipment was VIA through Red Deer, and will free up some June 30 has been selected as the date for F40PH 6402-6400 back-to-back, 15451 valuable land in the central Alberta city. a major 50th birthday party for the 2860 steam generator, 610 stainless-steel (ex­ CPR's yard in Red Deer will be removed, (she was built in June 1940), but no de­ CP) coach and nine blue ex-Dayniter and a single track will remain to access tails had been worked out at press time. coaches-5713, 5716, 5721, 5715, 5709, Red Deer industries from the south end.

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22 . JULY 1990 dled former CN SW900 7935 westbound Central Western Railway which operates Short Lines and Industrials dead-in-tow; the unit, now numbered HS over the former CN Stettler Sub between 950001 , was destined for Howe Sound Pulp the CN interchange and Morrin, has sold Northwood Pulp's new SW1200 No. 103 has & Paper at Port Mellon, B.C., a few miles his majority interest in his steam passenger been identified as ex-Milwaukee 630 . . . northeast of Vancouver . .. Canada's business to Alberta Prairie Steam Tours, a Neptune Terminals in North Vancouver re­ newest short line, Southern Rail Co-Opera­ Stettler, Alta., group. The new owners cently repainted its three locomotives and tive of Saskatchewan, is owned by 150 bought 85 percent of the steam operation, T6 No. 46 is no longer running in her old farmers. Its first day of operation was Dec. including 2-8-0 No.9, three coaches, a ca­ Portland Terminal livery, but has a new 14, 1989, using a trackmobile over two for­ boose and running rights on CWR from Ed­ coat of green and yellow ... Apparently, mer CP and CN branches: the ex-CP berg south to Rowley. Payne will continue Prince Rupert Grain Terminal is looking to Colony Sub from Rockglen west to Killdeer to supervise and operate the CWR freight obtain a second SW1200 sometime this and part of the CN Avonlea Sub from Avon­ service which runs weekly, lifting and spot­ year .. On April 19, CNtrain 359-17 han- lea south to Parry . .. Tom Payne, owner of ting grain elevators along the pike. 500 LINE

operating on an "as needed" basis. East­ ICC Removes Kansas City Line Sale bound traffic in this corridor is still suffi­ Pool Power Update at Bensenville Roadblock ciently balanced to be handled by trains 500 and 502. The increase in intermodal One of the best places to observe pooled In a quick ruling on March 23, the Inter­ loadings in the Soo/CPR corridor was motive power on Soo is at the former Mil­ state Commerce Commission removed the caused by a rate increase instituted by CN waukee Road facilities at Bensenville. As legal roadblocks impeding the sale of Soo's and GTW in February; the competing was the case in the early 1980s, a signifi­ Kansas City line to Rio Grande Industries. Laser train service has been cut back to cant amount of off-line power frequents In a 5-0 vote, the commission voided ef­ once each way per day. the Chicago suburb every day. From re­ forts by Burlington Northern, Chicago & In an unexpected move, Soo is now ports received during late March and North Western and Kansas City Southern handling C&NW intermodalloading and April, it appears that solid strings of CPR to dismiss, condition or delay the pro­ grounding activity in the Twin Cities area, and SPID&RGW/SSW power were operat­ posed sale. Even with this favorable rul­ out of its soon-to-be-closed Warner Road ing into Bensenville on a regular basis. On ing, however, the parties are still negotiat­ facility in St. Paul. With the closure of March 25, for example, three Rio Grande ing the ownership and operating ques­ C&NW's intermodal ramp located in East units, three SP units and a pure set of five tions surrounding the jointly owned por­ St. Paul, Soo interchanges trailer and con­ CPR SD40s were recorded on hand. On tions of the line. Beyond these legal mat­ tainer loadings at Belt Yard, located imme­ April 7, a total of eight CPR SD40s were ters, there also hangs the financial "black diately west of Soo's St. Paul Yard. noted, as well as a pair of new SSW GP60s cloud" over RGI's ability to generate suffi­ (9686/9690) and an eastbound coal train cient outside funding to purchase and up­ with SSW GP40-2 7634, SP SD45R 7467, grade the 482-mile corridor. DW&P Interchange Changes SSW SD45T-2 9393 and SP SD45T-2R 6797 providing the drawbar pull. With the reinstitution of direct interchange CP Completes Purchase of Soo between Soo and Duluth Winnipeg & Pacif­ Off-Line Caboose Usage Increases ic at the latter road's Pokegama Yard in Su­ On April 9, Soo and CP Rail announced perior, Wis., a brief period of run-through With the abundance of pooled locomotives that the formal merger of Soo Line Acqui­ power was enjoyed between the two being used on Soo during the early spring sition Corp. (a CP subsidiary) and Soo Line roads during March. As of early April, months, it is not surprising to see many Corp. had been consummated. Approved however, Soo power and cabooses were off-line cabooses showing up across the by over 96 pE;lrcent of Soo Line's sharehold­ once again used on trains 401 and 402 be­ system concurrently. In line with the ers, the shares of common stock which ex­ tween St. Paul and Superior. Soo SD power abundance of RGI motive power showing isted prior to that date have been convert­ can now be found laying over at Pokegama up everywhere on Soo, D&RGW cabs ed to a right to receive $21.50 in cash. As during daylight hours, pending the call on 01503 and 01510 were noted at Nahant, previously reported, CP plans to continue 402 . Trains 76 and 77 are still operated di­ Iowa, on March 17, while two days later, operating the property under the existing rectly to Stinson Yard as needed. One of Cotton Belt hack 64 trailed No . 227 at Soo Line name. the last applications of run-through power Washington, Iowa. In related news, the on-again, off-again found Soo SD40-2 784 on DW&P 401 at At the eastern end of the property, the CP purchase of bankrupt Delaware & Hud­ Munger, Minn., on March 24 , returning late usual parade of CPR run-through SD40s son is on again and this time looks to be in the day to St. Paul on Soo 402, in multi­ has been accompanied by the yellow on solid footing. The D&H bankruptcy ple with DW&P SD40 5907. Continued on page 38 • trustee has accepted a revised CP bid of $25 million for the 600-mile railroad which also delivers CP an additional 900 miles of Rail Relay Creates Major Bottleneck trackage rights. Though far detached from Soo Line, the D&H acquisition may indi­ During mid-May, Soo installed new heavy ~ SOUTH SHOR~ ~ rectly affect Soo, especially in the distribu­ welded rail on the "north main" of its joint CO HtlUHICATIO S tion of locomotives and other equipment. trackage operation with BN between St. Croix Tower and Newport, Minn. The "For the BEST track was shut down totally during day­ in railroad videos" TM Intermodal News light hours, forcing the 60 daily moves to operate on the BN -owned south main be­ PENT REX • GREEN FROG· VIDEO RAILS Due to an increase in intermodal traffic tween those points. A number of meetings HOPEWELL · INTERURBAN· WB· HERRON moving in the Montreal-Toronto-Chicago were held this spring between engineer­ PLUS MOREl BETA or VHS • Check or Money Order corridor, Soo and CPR have added a third ing and operating staff to minimize the en­ Can or Write for free Catalog westbound schedule to the Rail Runner suing bottleneck; some rescheduling was P_O_ Box 55716· Seattle, WA 98155 fleet. Train 505 (CSX 205) has been sched­ found necessary to accommodate this uled to follow 501 by two or three hours, work. (206) 821-8659

PACIFIC RAILNews • 23 Warbonnet a's

n May 18, 1990, the first standard Spartan cab-a cab which hadn't of Santa Fe Railway's seen any major changes since the 1950s. long-awaited "Super Henry immediately looked to Canadian Fleet" GP60Ms arrived railroads for inspiration, as CN and BC on the property, much to Rail were already utilizing a desktop con­ the delight of railfans trol stand on many locomotives. With this Owaiting for the first deliv­ in mind, Henry approached EMD with a ery of new red-and-silver revolutionary proposal: to completely re­ motive power in more design the North American cab from than 20 years. But war­ scratch. bonnets aside, the new Since Henry had identified the CN and 100-class units are the re­ BCR's cabs as a "ballpark" concept to start alization of years of plan­ from, AT&SF decided to gather input from ning by AT&SF, and incor- the people that would really matter-the porate several state-of-the-art features de­ railway's various train crews along the sys­ signed specifically for the railway. tem. To do this, Santa Fe decided to bor­ The London, Ont.-built units, 101 and row a Canadian National SD50F, to run be­ 102, spent their first full day on AT&SF tween Chicago and Los Angeles and give rails in Chicago, posing for portraits and crews a basis for their suggestions. getting the "once over" by railway person­ But thanks to "red-tape" problems with nel. Santa Fe wasted little time in getting United States Customs-which had never them out on the system, though, and the dealt with swapping locomotives between GP60Ms departed Chicago on their first the two countries-the project promptly fell westbound trip, leading the Q-NYLA-1-20 nine months behind schedule. The locomo­ train with newly-renumbered SDFP45s 96 tive-CN SD50F 5456-finally did arrive in and 92, and business car Mountainair. Sys­ October 1988, and Santa Fe completed one tem Director of Train Operating Practices round trip with the cowl unit, literally gath­ Homer Henry, rode with the train the en­ ering "hundreds of people's input," accord­ tire journey, helping crews familiarize ing to Henry. "We were getting people in­ themselves with the cabs' new "desktop" volved," he notes, "people who would later console design. Also familiarizing them­ be able to say 'I had a part in that.' " selves with the super cabs were General With the CN test considered a success, System Train Handling (GSTH) personnel, Henry and the railway were ready to de­ which would in turn assist crews along the sign the first American counterpart to the AT&SF system. Canadian cabs. The railway created a "cab committee," including members of AT&SF's HOME R HENRY CALLS HIS NEW locomotives mechanical and communications depart­ "hot rods" .. . get-up-and-go racehorses de­ ments, as well as the Brotherhood of Loco­ signed to reinforce Santa Fe's profile as a motive Engineers; Henry served as chair­ high-speed railroad. A good example of man of the committee. their powerful acceleration occurred at the As Henry notes, his original concept en­ beginning of their westward trip: as the visioned quartets of high-horsepower, four­ QNYLA departed Joliet, Ill. , approaching axle A-B-B-A locomotives, placed on the 50 mph, the GP60Ms accelerated so fast railway's hottest trains . . . in other words, they actually picked up the slack of the old­ the 1990 equivalent of F7s. However, EMD er SDFP45s, which couldn't keep up with informed the railway that the full-cowl con­ the new 100s! cept (which would have resulted in loco­ However, the high-speed capabilities motives similar to Amtrak's F40PH fleet) are only one facet of Santa Fe's $1.4 million couldn't be done, due to the heavier assem­ locomotives .. . and of course, the most blies of today's GP50 and GP60 models. As prominent distinctions can be found in a result, AT&SF decided to opt for a fleet of their unique AT&SF-designed "super cabs." super cab locomotives, outfitted with stan­ During fall 1987, several conversations dard long hoods. As Santa Fe spokesman between Henry and then-Vice President of Mike Martin points out, the majority of Operations Michael Haverty (now presi­ wind resistance for a locomotive centers dent of Santa Fe) resulted in the go-ahead around the cab, while the long hood offers for Henry to look into redeSigning the then- only a minimal difference.

24. JULY 1990 Week:The GP60Ms Arrive

ABOVE: In the midst of their first tour of the Santa Fe system, GP60Ms 100 and 101-sandwiched around recently renumbered SDFP45s 96 and 92-power an 891 train through classic AT&SF sur­ roundings just east of Summit in Cajon. 63 of the new units, featuring the San­ ta Fe-designed version of EMD's crew comfort cab, will arrive this summer, greatly bolstering Santa Fe's burgeon­ ing Super Fleet program. RIGHT: Santa Fe painted Southern California red and silver on May 22-24. Coinciding with the arrival of the new GP60Ms was the run­ ning of a Super Fleet-led directors spe­ cial to Santa Ana and two "Rail Cycle" trash train specials. On May 23, Santa Fe officials are readying the first Rail Cy­ cle train-pulled by SDFP45 91-as eye­ catching GP60M 100 departs San Bernardino on its first return trip to Chicago. Both photos. John Sistrunk

PACIFIC RAILNews • 25 The arrival of the first Super Fleet GP60Ms on Santa Fe caused quite a stir. LEFT: Units 100 and 101 pose for photographers at Chicago's Corwith Yard on May 18, 1990 with the city skyline strategically placed in the background. Santa Fe officials used this time to shoot a training video for use by crewmen who will be operating the new locomotive model. Mel Finzer ABOVE: The two GP60Ms-aided by a pair of SDFP45s-sprint westbound through Ran­ som, III., on May 20 on their first revenue assignment, hauling Santa Fe's top-priority Q-NYLA train. Gary W. Dolzall

In July 1989, AT&SF President Michael Newport Beach) were scheduled to inspect Bernardino only 30 minutes after the B91's Haverty brought the program full circle, the $1.4 million locomotives later that day. ETD had cleared the yard. and introduced the "Super Fleet" ... 123 The GP60Ms, along with the two accompa­ The new warbonnets assaulted Cajon new locomotives arriving in 1990, to be nying SDFP45s, contributed to what might Pass with a high-speed run up the hill, as­ painted in Santa Fe's revived red-and-silver be Southern California's most intense red­ sisted by a mere 1,BBO-ton train. After a colors, and to sport the new cabs. and-silver display yet, as only a few tracks brief pause for publicity photos west of And the rest, as Santa Fe fans could away sat SDFP45s 91 and 90 , waiting with Summit, the train continued its journey say, is history. a four-car directors' special bound for near­ east, and made a spectacular sight as it by Santa Ana. cruised through the Mojave desert to Nee­ IN THE PREDAWN HOURS of Tuesday, May 22, On Wednesday, May 23, the units de­ dles and points east. Southern California's Cajon Pass played parted Los Angeles on the second section host to the next generation of Santa Fe of the eastbound 891 train, with GP60M THE GP60Ms ARE THE FIRST EXAMPLES of railroading. 100 again on the point. The train reached EMD's new "super cab" design for a four­ The Q-NYLA arrived early, rolling into sunlight well before its arrival in San axle unit-and HeillY predicts it will be­ San Bernardino for a crew change at 6 Bernardino, where a quick crew change come EMD's standard in the near future. A a.m., and arriving Hobart Yard in Los An­ was made. As it departed the yard, much number of differences exist between the geles at about 8: 30 a.m. Once again, the to the delight of fans, Extra 100 East GP60M cabs and EMD's other super cabs units spent the morning posing for official passed Extra 91 East, the first of two "Rail operating on Union Pacific, Burlington portraits . . . and also getting an old-fash­ Cycle" passenger trains scheduled for the Northern and Soo Line-namely, two­ ioned hand-wash, as the railway's board of 23rd and 24th (see this issue's Santa Fe piece, electrically-heated windshields directors (which were meeting in nearby column)-which itself departed San (built with a sloping, tinted design); three

26. JULY 1990 ABOVE: On May 23, 1990, No. 100 races eastbound through the Mojave Desert near Newberry, Calif. Homer Henry, Santa Fe's Director of Train Operating Practices and the person who oversaw the development of the GP60M cab, calls the new locomotives "hot rods"-and in initial runs over the AT&SF system they proved they were deserving of this mon­ iker. Elrond G. Lawrence

RIGHT: Prior to inspection by the railway's board of direc­ tors on May 22, No. 100 gets a thorough clean-up in L.A.'s Hobart Yard. Elrond G. Lawrence

seats instead of five; digital speedometers to early July. In September, the railway will and electric horn buttons for both engi­ again take delivery of new Super Fleet neers and conductors; and ditch lights, a power, this time' Dash 8-40Bs from General new feature for Santa Fe motive power. Electric, outfitted with GE's crew comfort The resulting benefits include better visi­ cab design and again sporting red and sil­ bility and a less-cramped environment. ver. Already, Henry has begun discussing For now, the railway-along with Henry further changes to the GE cab design, - is busy evaluating the performance of which would emerge on the railway's 1991 the new "Super '60s." And according to orders. Henry, things already look promising. For now, though, Santa Fe's Super Fleet "Our employees' reaction (to the first concept is finally beginning to take shape, round trip) was very positive on both di­ along with several years of design and rections," Henry notes, "and the locomo­ planning. And best of all, railfans living tives worked very well on both trips." Even along the "Route of the Warbonnets," now more noteworthy, he adds, is the fact that have something to chase, photograph, and only two minor problems were discovered simply experience .. . as Santa Fe's new by railway crews on the maiden voyage . .. Super Fleet takes the railway into the when the norm is usually two dozen. 1990s and beyond. Henry noted that more GP60Ms were Thanks to Homer Henry and Mike Mar­ heading for Chicago as of May 30, and de­ tin of Santa Fe Railway for their assis­ liveries will continue through June and in- tance in the preparation of this article.

PACIFIC RAILNews • 27

eBeque Canyon is beautiful on June evenings, when its shadows lengthen and the reddish light of the sun intensifies the colors of rock walls and green trees. The shadows are cool, affording a respite from the heat of the day, both for humans and small, pesky gnats that feast on human companionship. The shad­ Dows also gobble up the portions of the river and railroad running through it that are still illuminated. One hopes for a westbound to show up before the last stretch of tangent just east of Cameo, Colo., falls under the dark spell of the cliffs. Another peek through a 300 mm reveals more of the tangent gone, bugs pecking away at hands and forehead as you try to stick it out. Then comes the payoff. Around a curve about a half-mile down the track through a stand of cottonwoods swings the 143, the tiger-striped face of a Rio Grande SD40T-2 leading the way. Dual headlights send a glint up the straight steel toward you as your thumb pumps the electronic cable release. The "Grande" is a fine-looking railroad indeed. Unfortunately, Denver & Rio Grande West­ ern is a railroad I'll never get to know, at least not in its purely native form of pre-merger days. Fewer are the occa­ sions on which a photographer can be assured of catching all-D&RGW consists or even a D&RGW diesel on the point. Scenes like that of the lead unit of the 796 coal train idling in Rocky Siding while a hotter Railblazer approaches from off the Front Range in the distance around Big Ten Curve are becoming precious. The Grande was one of those class acts destined to be assimilated into a larger corporate or­ ganism by the very nature of its size and location. But even as the larger members of the Rio Grande Industries "family" make their presence felt on this former independent, one can still savor the flavor that was uniquely the Grande's.

PACIFIC RA ILNews • 29 30 . JULY 1990 comotive variety has not been an outstanding trait of Denver & Rio Grande Western in diesel times. A handful of Electro-Motive models has dominated the "Mainline Through The Rockies," with other builders making only comparatively short-lived appearances which are now only memories. The prospect of such a mundane roster might lead one to believe that observing the road's workhorses in action would be relatively uninteresting compared to the likes of Union Pacific in the '60s or Burlington Northern in the '70s. Per­ Uhaps D&RGW's fleet hasn't possessed equal flair, but an interesting quality it has never lacked. The classic paint on its passenger Fs, such as the "aspen gold" on 5771 leading an empty slag train up Tennessee Pass at Red Cliff, would enhance any corporate image. And then there are the units that were purchased to haul freight. As though descended from Mountain-types and articulateds, Grande's locomotives of the present wear black suits and even the inverted "V" stripes that were placed on the front of steam locomotives to make them more obvious at grade crossings. The "Action Road's" diesels project the image of a powerful worker. Witness five B-Bs lashed together, like thoroughbreds panting around the horseshoe above Gilluly with the 144. Or rackish T-2s and an SD45 holding thousands of pounds at bay as they head downhill on the Utah desert. Simple-looking but powerful machines getting the job done. Probably one of the unexplainable attractions of this possibly less-than-glamorous operation.

R. C. Farewell PAC IFIC RAILNews . 31 ature on the Rio Grande has two faces. helpers idles on one of the two main tracks, At one spot it can appear soft and nur­ hardly audible above the rippling of a nearby turing, and then abruptly take on a men­ stream. With the sun still hiding its shape be­ acing visage not many miles away. Such hind the hulks to the east, the 144 (3090 East) is certainly the case in Utah. In late arrives, pausing just long enough for the spring, clouds often wash down the helpers to latch onto the rear for an attack on NWasatch Mountains with rain in the afternoons the grade that will end at Soldier Summit. As and evenings, leaving the air pristine and the 144 begins her assault, broken clouds from sweet to the senses. The sweetness emanates an upper-level low pressure system dominate from grasses and flora that thrive on the mois­ the scene, but eight miles up the line at the ture, dressing peaks and valleys alike in al­ next crossover, called "Rio," the train winds out most luminescent texture unknown in the of a small valley and the cloud cover into that desert that lies on either side of the range. At perfect solar glow for which mountain morn­ Castilla, a crossover at the western base of the ings are famous. The five units on the point, an Wasatch, dawn's soft light reveals heavy weld­ all-D&RGW consist, allow a pure image of the ed rail on coal-black ballast, well-maintained pre-merger Grande in nearly pure surround­ tri-light signals and blue hot-box detectors on ings. The aroma on this side of the mountains silver masts, all set in the midst of wet green arouses visions more in line with nature hikes mountains and yellow flowers. A pair of SD50 and trout fishing than shooting heavy tonnage.

32. JULY 1990 The sun, the smell, the railroad. Serenity forbidding landscape, from out of the oasis of mixed with noisy, smokey mayhem. It can get the Green River, comes a long worm-like ap­ into your blood. parition, a bright spot on its head signaling But the elements on the Grande in the Bee­ that it's a train in the midst of the westward hive State can also be less than inviting. This ascent of Cedar Hill. A long lens compresses it is obviously no secret to anyone working the against the ghosts of the Book Cliffs, whose de­ stretch east of Helper. The crews assigned to tailed strata are mottled to the eye by convec­ this piece of track are all too familiar with ex­ tional downpours between camera and lens. Up treme hot and cold to possess any pine-studded front, five prime movers gorge themselves with delusions about which face their part of Utah cool air off the desert floor, then exhaust it furi­ carries. Like most deserts, this one rolls, a sea ously up the stack in a crescendo of mechanical of ups and downs that stress the best of prime teamwork to lift piggyback trailers and boxcars movers and dynamic brakes. The arid land­ one foot at a time. Out here, the wind has noth­ scape is broken by mystical geologic shapes ing to slow it down when storms are brewing. that look more like cathedrals than randomly It's all a photographer can do to come away weathered stone. The soil worn from them by from such conditions with a sharp image of robust thunderstorms and diligent winds is in howling machines battling the elements in spots sandy, in others powdery, like ground their starkest forms. This is the raw-boned face you'd expect to find on the moon. Up onto this of the Rio Grande.

PACI FIC RAIL Ne ws • 33 ountains. On the Rio Grande, they are always present, a fact of life, obstacle on the one hand, lifeblood on the other. A fair amount of fuel has been combusted over the years by the railroad in its daily bout with the mountains. The battle be­ Mtween the Grande and the ranges has lent itself to many imposing portraits, such as No. 171 climbing past the Crystal Lakes on its way to an elevation of 10,000 feet at Tennessee Pass. From the beginning, penetrating the Rockies posed a solid challenge, requiring feats like bor­ ing through granite by predecessor Denver, Northwestern & Pacific to bequeath safe pas­ sage to the likes of 5394 East, the 758 coal train headed for transfer to UP in Denver. Because of coal, the mountains have been somewhat of a blessing as well as a curse. Coal has flowed out of the mountains onto the plains via the Grande, heaped up in hoppers like the string hooked to the fifth unit on southbound train No. 708 led by T-2 5346 near Sedalia, Colo., gener­ ating revenue for the railroad en route to the furnaces of an electric power plant. But even on the Joint Line, the geophysical influence of the range beyond denies the railroad an effortless passage. For better or worse, the Rio Grande is a mountain railroad. R. C. Farewell 34. JULY 1990 PACIFIC RAILNews • 35 ng after the sharp distinction between ored spectacle comes by standing at its edge, D&RGW and the other Anschutz holdings dizzyingly high above the relatively microscopic softens, the landscape through which this roadbed. One reaches this vantage only after a quintessentially Rocky Mountain railroad long trek off the hard-surfaced Interstate over forged its existence will stand as an un­ four-wheel vehicle paths that only vaguely re­ mistakable hallmark of the heritage of semble roads of any kind. Nonetheless, all the Uvirtually all the right-of-way of Rio Grande In­ rigors in getting to the cliff are swept from the dustries in Colorado and Utah. Even when the mind when your feet perch at its edge. This is tiger-striped design on the nose of SD50 5512, Utah and Colorado at their scenic pinnacle, as leading a 251 through the east switch at far as D&RGW is concerned anyway. The Cameo, Colo., has been diluted by more and Canyon lies at milepost 482, right on top of the more scarlet and gray, the brows of rock faces border separating the two states the Grande like those in DeBeque Canyon will signal that grew up in. Late on a June afternoon shrouded this was not a Huntington property. Indeed, all around in a horizon of black skies, Ruby like Western Pacific before it, Denver & Rio stands out even more intensely as her colors es­ Grande Western has shown off her colors not cape the vale of clouds and are aroused by a only in the simple but distinctive paint scheme low-lying sun. Amtrak No.5 announces its on the flanks of her diesels, but in the scale and presence in the canyon with the familiar sound not quite believable beauty of her scenery. But of a melodic five-chime. The shadows that the WP could never come close to matching the nat­ solid pieces of rock send out onto the river and ural wonders that abound along the Grande. sandbars below are enormous, covering the Certainly a case in point is Ruby Canyon, the streamliner as its approaches the far cliff and Jewel of the Rockies. Ruby is surely in the cate­ disappears behind it. Then, for only an instant, gory of the unbelievable. Anyone who saw it for the F40s jut back into the light and onto a tiny the first or umpteenth time would never quite bridge, and then are gone again, their image get used to its existence. Not that the gigantic safely tucked away inside a Nikkormat. Per­ pillars of this sandstone monument will be haps the patrons on board the Zephyr can't sa­ readily visible to all, like a Rushmore sounding vor as much as the photographer the beauty of its message for miles. Seeing Ruby is a pleasure the moment from where they sit or dine, but to be earned, at least by purchasing a ticket in one thing is certain. No matter what the future either direction on the California Zephyr. The brings for Denver & Rio Grande Western, the rails share the Canyon with no one else but the scenes that are beheld from the windows of pas­ Colorado River and an earthen maintenance-of­ senger trains and freights will belie a character way road. But the biggest thrill of this rose-col- that was, and is, the Grande's alone.

36 . JU LY 1990

Continued from page 23 7326, KCS SD50 707, SP B30-7 7877 and SP between the Twin Cities and various "vans," including 434516 and 434731 at B36-7 7758. The unusual appearance of points in Chicago. Sisters 153611 55711565 Bensenville on March 25. On April 11, the KCS unit was explained by a swap of are being run through the shop at Shore­ however, an unexpected visitor was six such units with Rio Grande for PTC ham for likely similar duty later this sum­ Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo cab 81, oper­ equipped SD40T-2s. mer when other large track improvement ating through on a Rail Runner. Another One notable set of pure Soo power to projects get underway. The other two ex­ unusual application after a long hiatus report occurred on April 29, as No. 498 de­ N&W SD35s (1558 and 1569) remain was N&W cab 518672, used on No. 223 in­ parted St. Paul with GP38-2s 4437/44061 stored on the "garden" tracks at Shoreham to St. Paul on April 29. 442214446, GP9s 410 and 2407 as well as and, along with the five former Southern SW1200 1218 leading 61 cars. SD45s, are probably supplying parts to keep the lease fleet alive. Operations Highlights GP9s continue to be rescued from the Motive Power News storage lines to keep road power in sup­ In addition to the regular operation of RGI ply, including units 2550 and 2555 in mid­ pool power into the Chicago Terminal as The ex-CR GP9 reported last issue (7393) April. The venerable Geeps are being reported above, such foreign power has has been joined by sister 7405 at CP Rail's trusted in remote locations as well, with been wandering the balance of Soo track­ Angus Shops in Montreal; they will be the units 2410 and 4230 observed in Milwau­ age as well. The team of SSW B40-8 8080 test cases for a future rebuilding program kee on April 13. and SP GP60 9604 reported last month for Soo. The 7405 was on hand at St. Paul SD40-2 6607 emerged from Shoreham spent an inordinate amount of time off­ on March 22 and was noted leaving with a dynamic brake kit during April, line, as the set worked No. 205 out of St. Bensenville three days later. These Geeps with three units remaining in the program Paul on March 24 and was spotted on No. will apparently receive a remanufacturing for such modifications. The fuel tenders 950 into the capital city one week later. similar to CPR's 8200-series locomotives are back in vogue again, as the set of The 9604 was also on hand in St. Paul on recently out-shopped from Angus. The SD60s 6008/6013 and tender 4001 pow­ April 14. stamina and cost of operating these Cana­ ered No. 401 into St. Paul on May 5. On Other RGI power into the Twin Cities dian rebuilds will be compared to the the same date, Helm Leasing SD40-2 6359 in early May found rebuilt tunnel motor three GP30/CAT units due from Genera­ was on hand at the Pig's Eye shop, off 6862 at St. Paul Yard on the 1st and 3rd, tion II later this year. Work on the 4300-se­ from a lease to DM&E for weekend repair while SSW GP60 9659 was at the same lo­ ries CAT rebuilds is underway at this writ­ work. cale on the 3rd. A real potpourri of foreign ing. Thanks to Lavern Andreessen, John power handled a 106-car coal train EMD SD35s 1542/ 1554/1555 have been Baukus, Mike Cleary, Joe DiBella, Fred through Clinton, Iowa, on March 17, in­ restored to service as of early April, hav­ Hyde, Tom Robinson, Sao Line Railroad cluding D&RGW SD40T-2 5357, SP SD40R ing been aSSigned to ballast train service and TRAFFIC WORLD. UNION PACIFIC

sion and the former "OKTlRock Island" the REEPA (Reisor, La.-EI Paso Auto parts Massive Flooding Disrupts Service Duncan Subdivision. The Baird Subdivi­ trains that SP forwards to the GM auto sion was shut down between Earls and plant in Van Nuys, Calif.) and the The heavy mid-spring storms that Tiffin, Texas; this former T&P line crosses FWEP/ EPFW merchandise trains by way wreaked havoc in Texas, Oklahoma and the Brazos River 50 miles west of Forth of Santa Fe's Dublin Subdivision between Arkansas did not leave Union Pacific unaf­ Worth. The Duncan Subdivision was Fort Worth and Sweetwater, Texas. To fected; but, in comparing disruptions closed between Hicks, Texas, and Sunray, complicate the problems, the REEPA of caused by the widespread flooding, UP Okla.; this line crosses the Red River 106 April 29 derailed a few cars near Proctor, was the least affected of the three major miles north of Fort Worth. Texas, while on the Santa Fe. railroads in the area. Between April 26 and May 1, UP de­ By dumping dozens of loads of ballast Major problems began for Union Pacific toured trains over its own or other rail and waiting for the flood waters to recede, with heavy rains on April 25 in the Texas­ lines around these two closures. Most of UP gained the upper hand over the excess Oklahoma border area along the Red Riv­ the traffic which moves over the former water on May 1. The Duncan Subdivision er. By the morning of the 26th, two major OKT is unit grain trains, which can easily trackage was reopened just past 6 p.m. UP lines were out of service because of be "detoured" to the east through that evening, and a few hours later the water over the rails and other flood dam­ Arkansas. The closure of the Baird Subdi­ Baird Subdivision was reopened. But age: the Fort Worth-EI Paso Baird Subdivi- vision required UP to detour such trains as Mother Nature had other plans for the Texas-Oklahoma-Arkansas area. That night, many locations recorded anywhere between four inches and one foot of rain. By morning, not only were the Baird and Duncan Subdivisions out of service again, but almost every rail line and highway in Texas and Oklahoma was damaged or un­ der rising waters. So much rain fell in the hump facility at Centennial Yard in Fort Worth that part of the yard was under wa­ ter for over two hours, causing many of The railfans' map of the U.S. divided into the switch machines to short out and three regions. each the size of a standard road map. 5-color printing. legible type size. shutting down the hump for many hours showing primary and secondary highways Please specify regian(s). afterward. paralleling rail lines ... plus rail towns and the Make payable by check or money ord er to: In the Dallas-Fort Worth area alone, UP interstate hwy. system far quick cross-country had several lines out of service. Between travel to new photographic and viewing RAILROAD INFORMATION opportunities. Order just your region or all SERVICE Dallas and Fort Worth, the former Katy three ... put them together for an accurate P.O. Box 1429 DFW Subdivision and the ex-MP Dallas wall map of the entire U.S. Price S6 per map. Geargetown. TX. 78627 Subdivision were under water. The DFW TX . residents odd 6% sales lox Subdivision being on "higher" ground was

38. JULY 1990 reopened May 4, while the double-track Dallas Subdivision main line was not back in service until May 6. The former MP/MKT Choctaw Subdivision main line between Fort Worth and McAlester, Okla., was closed for about 20 hours, as was the Fort Worth Subdivision main line from Fort Worth to Waco, Texas. Also in the Dallas­ Fort Worth area, three former MKT branch lines-the Greenville Subdivision (110- miles from Dallas to Denison), the 36-mile Denton Branch and the 65-mile Hillsboro Sub south of Dallas-were flooded and damaged. The Greenville Sub was re­ opened on May 5, the Hillsboro Sub was reopened on May 9 and the Denton Branch reopened on May 14. Both the subdivisions that had been closed before the storm of May 1, the Baird Subdivision (which was blocked by large boulders de­ posited upon the right-of-way by the flood waters of the Brazos River) and the Dun­ can Sub, were back service by May 4. The rains of May 1 also fell heavily in northeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. Along the Van Buren Subdivi­ sion west of Little Rock, Ark. , the line was closed due to flooding, washouts and mud slides. The former MKT Cherokee Subdivi­ sion which is now the main line through Union Pacific is working to upgrade its busy line through the Blue Mountains of Oregon; in­ eastern Oklahoma was closed 20 miles cluded in the project is installation of concrete ties and lengthening of sidings. A quartet of GEs leads UP's HKNPP-Ol (Hinkle-North Platte) past a track gang working at the top of Encina south of Muskogee, Okla., when a flooded grade-near Pleasant Valley, Ore.-on May 1, 1990. Mel Finzer creek put a railroad bridge under two feet of water. Closure of both of these lines, as well as the Shawnee Branch through Okla­ land was made during mid-April. For near­ be monitored by mechanical personnel in homa City, lasted only until May 3. Mean­ ly four years, this special train has been Pocatello, and they will be watching the while, several trains were detoured east carrying radioactive material in specially "Z" trains only. by way of the Sedalia Subdivision and St. designed Department of Energy cars to a In somewhat of a "reversal" of policy a Louis. depository at Scoville, Idaho, on about a few years ago, UP is trying to put forth a By May 14, UP had all of its lines back three-week round-trip schedule. serious effort to replace many of the older in service and was providing detour SD40s/SD40-2s now assigned to yard and routes for both SP and Santa Fe in Texas switching service with leased GP38s/ until those carrier's lines were repaired Motive Power Notes GP40s. It has not been all that long since and out from under the flood waters. The UP tried to get rid of as many of the four­ Santa Fe was detouring trains between On April 19, the lease expired on 41 ex-MP axle units as possible and "standardize" Tower 55 in Fort Worth and Tower 19 in SD40-2s without dynamic brakes. These the older SD40s/SD40-2s as the yard and Dallas as its line had been closed between locomotives had been repainted and switcher power. Dallas and Big Sandy, Texas, and was ex­ renumbered from MP 3164-3201 into UP UP has found that even with splitting pected to continue detouring into June 4164-4201. Following the end of the lease, the loaded soda ash and grain trains at due to extensive damage to its lines. all 41 locomotives were sent to Chicago Nampa, Idaho, for the trip west over the and turned over to Grand Trunk Western. Blue Mountains, a few problems still arise. With the arrival of the latest set of Dash On these 50-car trains a head-end combi­ Last Nuclear Waste Train From TMI 8-40Cs from General Electric, UP is now nation of a 4,000-h.p. Dash 8-40C and a keeping a very close eye on the schedule 3,750-h.p. C36-7 is inadequate, though The final movement of hazardous nuclear performance of the new GEs versus the two Dash 8-40Cs on the point provide waste from the clean up of Three Mile Is- new EMD SD60Ms. The performance will enough power.

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PACIFIC RAILNews • 39 ILLINOIS CENTRAL

Train Schedule Changes In April several of the IC local freight train schedules were changed to improve move­ ment of grain and chemical traffic and to speed up the return of empty cars for reloading. Chicago-Geismar, La., train lCHGOO (daily) and Memphis-Champaign train IMCROO (daily) will now operate via Cairo, ill., on the main line instead of via the Edgewood Cutoff. Two locals out of Champaign, rn. , 8CCl and 8CC2 to Cen­ tralia, rn. , were replaced with three new trains: Champaign-Mattoon, rn., turn 8CMCOO, Mattoon-Cairo local 8MCCOO and Cairo-Mattoon local8CCMOO. (Note: The last two characters-OO-represent the day of the month the trains are operated.) The new schedules will see train lCHGOO leave Chicago southbound daily at 7 a.m. Train IMCROO will leave Mem­ phis, Tenn., daily at 3 p.m. and arrive in Champaign the next day around 11 a.m. The daily-except-Sunday 8CMCOO Cham­ paign-Mattoon turn will leave southbound at 9:30 a.m. and return about 6 p.m. Train 8CCMOO will leave Cairo daily at 5: 30 a.m. Illinois Central's single-tracking and CTC installation project is in full swing in Illinois. As the and arrive Mattoon about 9: 30 p.m. Train track gang waits for the train to clear, IC Extra 2031 South goes through the new track ar­ 8MCCOO will leave Mattoon daily at 1 p.m. rangement at Leverett Junction on the north end of Champaign Yard on April 6, 1990. The and arrive in Cairo about 3: 30 a.m. Trains severed track at left was formerly the southbound main. Jon Roma 8CCMOO and 8MCCOO both handle a large number of grain cars for Archer-Daniels­ Tenn., about eight miles, Feb. 26 ; South installed CTC on this section as it was Midland, which are interchanged with the Osyka, La., to North Arcola, La., 12.1 more cost effective than replacing the daily IC Mattoon-Decatur turn 8MBMOO. miles, April 17 (the former main track No . washed-out portion of the northbound Several other train schedules will be 1 was converted to a 13,033-foot siding main line. illinois still contains the largest changed during the spring and summer between these two points); South Curve, amount of IC double-track main line. This months to improve movement of traffic and Tenn., to Rialto, Tenn., 15.4 miles, April summer, track crews will be working on also to allow more time during the day for 17, with a siding of 11,174 feet. The CTC single tracking the main line from Cham­ track crews to do their summer work. from South Paxton, rn. , to the north end of paign south to Cairo. At the present time yard limit at Rantoul was scheduled to be there are no reports of any more single­ put in service around May 9. tracking projects in process south of Jack­ Major Track Changes Another section that was recently con­ son, Miss. verted to single-track CTC is between The following sections of the IC double milepost 756.2 and milepost 773.4 south of track main line have been converted to Jackson, Miss. The control points at each IC Stations to be Closed single track and CTC : Leverett Junction, end of this new section are designated rn. (north end Champaign yard), north to Gallman Junction and Wesson Junction, The illinois Central interlocking operators the yard limit at Rantoul, rn. , 8.5 miles, respectively. This section was reduced to at the crossing of IC and Norfolk Southern April 5, 1990; Ullin, rn. , south to Mounds single track in September 1989 following a at Tolono got their 60-day notice that the Junction, rn., 12.3 miles, April 3, 1990; derailment near Martinsville, Miss., due to station would be closed in either June or South Dyersburg, Tenn., to North Curve, a bridge washout. IC closed one track and July. The Tolono interlocking will be con­ verted to CTC controlled by IC dispatchers in Chicago. The IC interlocking tower at Tuscola that controls the crossing of the FIRST - CLASS RAILROAD PINS ,. IC double track main with UP and CSX is next in line to be closed. Get your photos The BEST in railroad pins - of these two buildings as they are to be RR heraids, name-trains, removed in the future. The closing of Tus­ manufacturer's logos, cola and Tolono will leave only Edgewood signs, builder's plates, and Gilman, rn., as the last manned IC in­ and more. terlocking stations south of Chicago. Custom pin service for - railroads, tourist railways, Amtrak Draws Complaints on IC historical sodeties, dubs, museums and conventions. Amtrak trains Nos. 391 and 392, the Illi­ ni, and Nos. 58 and 59, the City of New Orleans, are being forced to pull over to let IC freight trains go by, causing delays as long as 90 minutes and producing gripes from passengers, according to Illi-

40. JULY 1990 nois Senator Paul Simon. Simon said, delivered in the ICG orange-and-white "there were too many disgruntled riders 1989 Results scheme. All four were mainly assigned to and there was nothing else anywhere on unit coal-train service, due to being Amtrak with comparable delays." Accord­ In a statement to an Illinois paper, IC equipped with special speed controls for ing to Simon, legally passenger trains President Ed Moyers said that in 1989 the unit train loading. The other SD40-2 on the should get preference over freight trains, railroad moved 900,000 carloads-a 4.4- roster is former GM&O SD40 No. 920 that and there should not be this kind of delay percent increase in carloadings from the was rebuilt by to Dash 2 standards in 1982 taking place on IC. According to other re­ previous year. Coal traffic is the single by the ICG Paducah Shops after being ports from railfans in the area, a lot of the largest commodity shipped over IC , with wrecked. All the SD40-2s are still on the late running has been caused by slow or­ grain and chemicals ranking second and roster except 6031 which was destroyed ders issued because of IC single-tracking third. Moyers said he is optimistic about in the Freeburg, Ill. , head-on wreck in Au­ work. As the main line is being converted the future and that "the railroad is in gust 1989. Only the 6032 is not yet painted to CTC single track, there have been a good physical condition and we have a black and white; it remains in the ICG or­ large number of 10 mph slow orders is­ nice level of business." As of 1989 the ange-and-gray scheme. ICG once rostered sued over short sections of main line nor­ AAR listed IC as the 10th largest railroad ten ex-Rock Island SD40-2s (numbered mally under 79 mph limits. To help solve in the U.S., both in terms of miles and 6040-6049; all wore ICG orange/ gray the problems, Senator Simon met with freight revenues. scheme), but the units were held on a Amtrak management and pledged to dis­ long-term lease and were returned to their cuss the issue with IC management. lessor before the change from ICG Locomotive Review, Part 6 to IC .

Runaway Freight Car This month we look at IC's small SD40-2 fleet. In 1975 ICG was preparing to inau­ Convention Reminder On March 27 around 10:30 a.m., a freight gurate a group of new unit coal trains that car got loose heading south on IC's north­ were to operate between mines in south­ The annual convention of the IC Histori­ bound main in Mississippi. The IC dis­ ern Illinois and power plants on ICG's cal Society will be held Aug. 11 , 1990, at patcher tried to warn the Ponchatoula turn south end. In getting ready for the new the Holiday Inn Convention Center in about the car just passing through Magno­ trains, ICG placed an order for several the Union Station complex in Indianapo­ lia, Miss. , but was a little too late. The new SD40-2s from EMD for delivery in lis, Ind. The railroadiana show and din­ crew reported that the car had just come 1975. At the last minute, the coal contracts ner meeting will take place on the 11 th, around a curve and hit them head-on at were canceled. ICG tried to cancel the followed by a special railroad tour the milepost 815, north of Chatawa, Miss. The SD40-2 order, but four of the units were al­ 12th. car's speed was fairly slow as there was most finished; ICG and EMD agreed to Thanks this month to Jon Roma, time for the crew to get off the train before cancel the remainder of the order if ICG Courtland Sears and Daniel Johnson and impact and the local's lead unit suffered took the four finished units. The four special thanks (and apologies) to Eldred only minor damage. SD40-2s were numbered 6030-6033 and G. (not Edward) "Sonny" Seller Jr.

The "streamline" era on the Chicago & North Western began behind steam­ in 1934, when' 'The 400" began operating between Chicago and the Twin Cities. It was 400 miles in 400 minutes .. . a high-speed dash with heavyweight coaches behind ordinary-looking Pacific locomotives. But oh, what followed! The 400 Story, by noted railroad author Jim Scribbins, recaptures the excitement of the 400 era, tracing the rise and fall of a passenger system that made Twin Cities 400 and kin household terms in the Upper Midwest. In his detailed narrative, Scribbins recalls the singular elements of The 400 Story: high-stepping Pacifies, yellow-and-green streamliners, resort-country trains and the revolutionary bilevel era, and brings the images of North Western's yellow-and-green fleet to life. The 400 Story, 232 pp., 330 B&W and color illustrations, maps, rosters, index, 8 1/zxll" hardbound album format with color jacket. ISBN 0-937658-07-3. PT) 400 ... (add $2 p/h) ...... $49.95

SEE YOU R DEALER FIRST. WRITE FOR FREE CATALOG. CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS ADD 6 Y. /6'/,% SALES TAX.

PACIFIC RAILNews • 41 SHORT LINES

Bloomer Line has purchased Norfolk Southern's ex-Wabash line between Strawn and Gibson City, III. On May 9, 1990, the short line's two 10- comotives-GP9 91 and SW1000 55-left Gibson City hauling the first Bloomer train into town, a 55-car string of empty grain hoppers. NS va­ cated the line for trackage rights over the paraliellC; Bloomer officials view the purchase as vital to the short line's survival. Steve Smedley

season, usually twice weekly. In addition, ceiving the appraisal from the Parks De­ Oregon California & Eastern Hauls Its a consulting firm has been brought in to partment, BN raised its asking price to Last Logs evaluate the ultimate fate of the line; until $310,000. To be fair, BN is a business and this evaluation is complete the line will re­ its purpose is to make money. According On Sunday, April 29, a 68-year tradition main intact. Future uses for the line being to Paul Kenna, Skagit River's president, ended as the last loaded train of logs evaluated include abandonment, moth­ this price raise has made Skagit's finan­ trundled into Klamath Falls behind Ore­ balling and excursion service (although cial backers back off, and he describes gon California & Eastern's rebuilt U25Bs. don't get your hopes up). As for the equip­ the prospects for the purchase as "dis­ The 7601-7603 and 7605 did the honors as ment, it will remain on line until the study couraging." the last loads were switched to parent has been completed. The Skagit River project is not dead, company Weyerhaeuser's mill across town however, as Mr. Kenna is pursuing a the following day. The empty log flats lease/purchase agreement of the track were taken to Sycan on the afternoon of Skagit River Rail Woes (not the right-of-way) as well as a trial op­ May 1 for storage to await an uncertain erating lease of the BN line from Sedro fate. According to the OC&E personnel at Have you ever been at a railroadiana flea Wooley to Hamilton. Hopefully, events Klamath Falls, changes at the mill have market and haggled a phenomenal deal leading to a service startup will unfold. forced the closure of the woods operation. for a significant addition to your collec­ The capacity of the mill has been cut as tion-only to have the deal fizzle when two of the head rigs (the large saws that somebody walked up and announced that Georgia Pacific Picks Up Four More cut down the large logs) have been the object in question is worth a great deemed unnecessary in light of the type deal more than what you've offered? Well, In April, Georgia Pacific Corporation ac­ of timber expected to be harvested in the a similar situation has evolved with Skagit quired the Great Northern Nekoosa Corp., area over the next few years. Projections River Railroad's proposed purchase of BN's the large paper and forest products com­ for future traffic levels are low as are the Hamilton-Concrete line in Washington. pany. Included with the purchase are harvest projections deeming rail transport The State Parks Department conduct­ Nekoosa's four shortline railroads: of the raw timber unfeasible, thus ed an "across the fence" appraisal of the Marinette Tomahawk & Western Railroad spelling the end of the woods operations line, meaning that the line was appraised based in Tomahawk, Wis. ; Chattahoochee over OC&E. at the values of the land adjacent to the Industrial Railroad in Cedar Springs, Ga. Fortunately, OC&E is not yet entirely right-of-way, and came up with a figure (well known for its fleet of Alco RS1s) ; Old dead. Witco Chemicals of Klamath Falls, well above the market value of the land. Augusta Railroad in New Augusta, Miss. ; the last active shipper on the line, receives The original estimate for the purchase of and Valdosta Southern in Valdosta, Ga. inbound petroleum products used in the the line was in the neighborhood of Russell Tedder, president of Ashley Drew production of asphalt. OC&E still provides $116,000 whereas the "appraisal" was re­ & Northern and Fordyce & Princeton rail­ as-needed service during the construction ported in the $500,000 range. Upon re- roads in Arkansas, will now be at the helm

42. JULY 1990 of GP's recently acquired lines. This brings purchasing the 55-mile Santa Fe Lamesa Cadillac & Lake City has suspended oper­ Georgia Pacific's shortline tally to eight, Branch from Slaton to Lamesa, Texas. Re­ ations indefinitely as of Feb. 9. Louisiana including the Baldwin-powered Amador portedly the company is affiliated with & Delta of New Iberia, La., has acquired Central in Martell, Calif., and Columbia & Crosbyton Railroad of Lubbock ... C&LC 48 , an ex-Santa Fe CF7 ... Texas Cowlitz in Longview, Wash. Schnitzer Steel has ex-NP 131, an Alco Sl Mexican has received a new GP60 from in use at its Portland, Ore., facility. Its cur­ EMD. The unit was reportedly built to SP rent number is 1548 (built August 1945 as specs as it was an "add on" to the SP order Short Stuff bi n 73585 and was also NP 603 and Inter­ ... The Oakland Army Base had its open national Terminals 603) .. . Relco, the lo­ house (previously delayed because of the A private party in Portland, Ore., has pur­ comotive rebuilding and leasing company, October quake) May 19 featuring rides chased Oregon California & Eastern 101 , has shipped Ako S2 807 from Portland, over base trackage behind the base's H- a Baldwin S8. According to the railroad, Ore., to a grain elevator in Maywood, Neb. 12-44 ... Finally, a U.S. Army GP10 (?) the unit was shipped on May 1 ... Green .. . J. D Heiskell & Co. is currently using a showed up at Ft. Lewis, Wash., in a flashy Bay & Western might lose the connecting former SP Alco S6 at its mill in Tulare, red paint scheme. Does anybody out there ferry service to Michigan at Kewaunee, Calif. This unit is formerly SP 1054 and know the background on this unit? Wis., as the ferry operator is reportedly went to Chrome Locomotive before be­ Thanks to THE N ORTHWEST RilILFAN, looking into the possibility of moving the coming JDH 1886. This month's SP column Skagit River Railroad and Paul Kenna, operation to Manitowoc, Wis., currently highlights other recent activities of this Burlington Northern, Oregon, California & served by regionals Wisconsin Central and switcher ... Omaha Public Power District Eastern Railroad, Amador Central Rail­ Fox River Valley .. . The Lamesa Railroad has in use SW9 5000 (bin 4268-1), a former road, L OCOMOTIVE NOTES II, Warren Smith Company is reportedly in the process of NYC unit, at its facility in Omaha, Neb .. . and THE IRON H ORSE N EWS. PRESERVATION

that the best action would be to cosmeti­ Society of Spokane, Wash., is working on Rio Grande 223 May Get Cosmetic cally restore the engine to its 1941 condi­ former Union Pacific 4-6-2 No. 3206. This Restoration tion-the year it was last used by the engine was built by Ako in 1904 as Ore­ railroad. Should funding become avail­ gon Railway & Navigation Co. No. 192. It The Utah Division of State HistorylUtah able from the state legislature, this 1941 was donated in 1955 to the City of State Historical Society occupies part of era cosmetic restoration is the probable Spokane, then deeded to IERHS in 1978, the former Rio Grande passenger depot course of action. and is presently at the Spokane Interna­ in Salt Lake City, and outside the build­ tional Fairgrounds. This summer, various ing sits D&RGW narrow-gauge 2-8-0 No. work including flue inspection is planned 223. The engine was placed on display in Steam Locomotive Restoration Projects for the engine. Inland Empire also has sev­ Salt Lake City during 1941 and moved to eral cars in its museum collection; current­ the depot in 1980. The engine had deteri­ The Northwest Railway & Locomotive ly under restoration is early GN steel orated from years of sitting outside with­ Preservation Association is beginning the coach 971 (built in 1914) and Spokane in the range of lawn sprinklers. Recently, restoration of Great Northern No. 2507 United Railways streetcar No. 140. a number of organizations and individu­ which is located at Maryhill, Wash. The Last February former SP&S 4-8-4 No. als had inquired about the engine with 1923 Baldwin 4-8-2 was presented to 700 was tested and its boiler officially cer­ hopes of moving and restoring it. Howev­ Klickitat County by Spokane Portland & tified by a Federal Railroad Administration er, restrictions in the Deed of Gift from Seattle in 1966; the road had promised the inspector. The Pacific Railroad Preserva­ Salt Lake City to the Historical Society es­ county a locomotive but forgot to save tion Association of Portland, Ore., is refur­ sentially prohibit the movement of the one. The engine was last operated in 1957 bishing this Baldwin built in 1938. engine from the community. In December and then stored "serviceable" until dona­ In Houston, Texas, former Texas & 1989 the Historical Society solicited input tion. Recently an agreement between the New Orleans 2-10-2 No. 982 is the subject and held a public meeting as to the fu­ county and the association was reached of a restoration by a group called South­ ture preservation efforts for No. 223. Op­ allowing the restoration of the locomotive. ern Pacific 982 Back on Track. This en­ tions considered ranged from doing noth­ Out of the 28 4-8-2s owned by GN, only gine was built by Baldwin in 1919 as SP ing, to cosmetically restoring 223 to an two, 2507 and 2584 (now displayed at 3651; it was transferred in 1922 to the 1890 appearance, to restoring the loco­ Havre, Mont.), were preserved. The non­ Texas lines as Galveston, Harrisburg & motive to operating condition-which profit association seeks contributions and San Antonio No. 982. The engine was could cost as much as $1 million. The volunteers to support the restoration. placed on display at Houston's Hermann consensus of the opinions expressed was The Inland Empire Railway Historical Park in 1957.

GREAT BARGAINS! ACT NOW! THE NORTHWESTERN PACIFIC RAILROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY • THE NORTHWESTERNER - Back Issues, each $5, plus expanded Gold Spike edition, $8. Add $2 postage and handling. Ask about special on entire set. (California residents add 6% sales tax to above items)

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PACIFIC RAILNews .43 Norton AFB , San Bernardino; Marine (October 1981) and a three-level stock car Preservation Notes Corps at Camp Pendleton; and the Navy (October 1984) to the society. The cars are in San Diego . .. In May 1989 Union Pacif­ displayed on a short piece of track next to San Diego Railroad Museum has acquired ic donated its Rupert, Idaho, depot (on the the depot building. a 1942-built General Electric 44-ton diesel Twin Falls Branch) to the Minidoka Coun­ Thanks to Philip Notarianni, Utah State locomotive. This unit was built for the U.S. ty Historical Society. After necessary fund­ Historical Society, Thornton Waite, Vern government and initially aSSigned to a ing was obtained, this structure was Scott, Northwest Railway & Locomotive ordnance plant in Iowa. After the war it moved to the historical society's museum Preservation Association, Inland Empire was used by all branches of the military: site in September 1989. Earlier UP had do­ Railway Historical Society and Pacific Rail­ Army Air Corps and later the Air Force at nated a boxcar (in March 1977), a caboose road Preservation Association.

PRN STAFF

brouhaha has delayed the planned 1992 route will parallel 1-8 to Jack Murphy Sta­ San Diego start-up until late 1993. dium . . . Various alignments are being studied on the Mission Valley Line/East BATTERY POWER: A two-year experi­ EXTENSION UPDATE : On the Bayside segment, and one should be identified ment has been tentatively approved that Line construction is on schedule for a June within the next 12-18 months. This section will use batteries to help power the trolley 30 start-up, but the Imperial Avenue-Con­ is planned to meet up with the East Line down a short stretch of track in La Mesa. vention Center shuttle didn't get rolling in at Grossmont Center in La Mesa. Lead-acid batteries will be charged during April, as anticipated. Because right-of-way the San Diego Gas & Electric Company's negotiations with Santa Fe Pacific Realty ODDS AND ENDS : The Oceanside-San off-peak load period; the energy will then are taking longer than expected, the seg­ Diego Commuter Rail Line is in the final be stored and used at times when energy ment from Santa Fe Depot to Grape Street stages of engineering. Construction is costs are higher. At the end of the two will probably open with the Old Town scheduled to begin in summer 1991 . .. years the project may continue or be ex­ Line . .. The North Line/Old Town seg­ Preliminary engineering for the Oceanside­ panded. The Trolley paid about $1.5 mil­ ment is targeted for a July 1993 opening Escondido Rail Project got under way in lion for electricity in 1989; if the experi­ and negotiations are underway with Santa April 1990 with completion anticipated in ment is a success, that bill could be re­ Fe for right-of-way and with the State December 1990. Final engineering is slated duced considerably. Parks for land for the Old Town Transit for fiscal year 1992. Projected start-up for Center .. . On the North Line/Mid-Coast the 22-mile line is 1995, at the earliest. A SANTEE SAGA: Determining where the segment parallel to 1-5 in the northern part decision is still pending as to whether the trolley will run in Santee is proving to be a of the city the Alternatives AnalysislDraft rail equipment will be diesel or electric. tough and expensive task. MTDB wants it Environmental Impact Statement has been Tentative service levels show a 30-minute to go down the middle of Cuyamaca initiated. Choices include a no-build plan, headway throughout the day. Stopping at Street. Merchants, however, complaining freeway improvements, high-occupancy 17 stations, a one-way trip is expected to of potential traffic jams, noise and lost vehicle lanes and light rail. The preferred take approximately 45 minutes. business, have convinced the board to alternative should be selected by Septem­ Chris Cucchiara study an alternative route through an alley ber 1991. Studies will begin on an east­ east of Cuyamaca next to a 188-unit con­ west extension to the Miramar area as dominium complex. The condo owners are soon as funding is received from the City Chicago up in arms, complaining the Trolley would of San Diego .. . Preliminary engineering lower property values. As the decision is is underway on the Mission Valley THE PRICES GO UP, UP, UP : On April 29, delayed costs rise: The 3.6-mile extension Line/West segment. Alignment studies the Chicago Transit Authority implement­ is expected to run about $76.2 million, up made years ago are being updated and ed a new fare structure, designed to maxi­ from earlier estimates of $56 million. The should be completed by mid-1991. This mize revenue while minimizing patronage WEST A stunning look back at the year in railroading

For fans of Western and Midwestern railroading, 1989 was an exciting, colorful year. RAILS WEST 89-from the publishers of PACIFIC RAILNEws-captures the mem­ orable railroad images from last year in a spectacular, color-rich pictorial cel­ ebrating modern railroading at its best. Featuring images from America's finest rail photographers-Blair Kooistra , Dick Dorn, Steve Smedley and many others, If you enjoy contemporary railroading, or are simply a fan of superb rail photography, RAILS WEST 89 is a book you'll never forget!

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44. JULY 1990 loss. A $1.25 tariff is charged at all times computerized transit cars travel on an ele­ Bus service) along Boundary Road from on the rapid-transit system. The transfer vated guideway directly to the station of the PNE to the north arm of the Fraser Riv­ charge remains at 25 cents and two class­ their choice, bypassing intermediate stops er ... (Thanks to David Shore, Jack May es of monthly pass were created to replace along the way. Such a system does exist at and Jim Cumbie.) the former unlimited one. Tokens were re­ present, in Morgantown, WV, used large­ Richard R. Kunz duced in price to 90 cents each (in groups ly by students at the local university to of ten) ; they are valid at all times on both shuttle between two campuses, but it took bus and rail lines, in the latter case provid­ better than a dozen years to work out the l.A. Metro bugs. The RTA will sponsor two teams of ing a substantial discount. As might have RAIL CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION been expected, the Authority ran out of to­ railcar manufacturers and other experts to CREATED: The move to consolidate all rail kens by late morning on the first day of conduct independent studies to determine transit construction in Los Angeles County the new tariffs. the feasibility of building an experimental line somewhere in the suburbs. has become a reality. The RCC , which was BUT THE VALUES DID NOT GO DOWN, Wynne DeCitti pushed in the legislature by the Los Ange­ DOWN, DOWN: With some exceptions, les County Transportation Commission the new fare structure replaced service and opposed by the Southern California cuts earlier proposed to cut costs. The on­ Western Transit Notes Rapid Transit District (PRN 317), is now in ly significant railside loss was Evanston charge of building the Blue, Red and Green Express service to the Loop after 9: 30 a.m. Ridership on Dallas' McKinney Avenue lines-and all future transit projects. As a Owl service headways on Evanston were Trolley, which had declined during the subsidiary of the commission, the move ef­ also lengthened slightly, but the threat­ winter, is up again; on St. Patrick's Day fectively eliminates the RTD from con­ ened switch to an all-local-stop service the line took in over $2,500, and demand structing the lines it will operate. middays on all 'L'-subway lines was was so heavy the cars ran until 2 a.m. Also With transit construction firmly under dropped (allegedly due to strong alder­ in Dallas, a group of merchants in Oak its control, the LACTC formally voted manic protest) at the last minute. Cliff is exploring the possibility of starting March 29 to build three more rail lines up its own trolley line, running it across over the next 11 years-provided Califor­ THE WHOLE IS EQUAL TO THE SUM OF the Trinity River to connect up with nia voters approve the rail bond issues in THE PARTS : Despite the fact that the MATA's line to the West End Historic Dis­ June (they did) and local cities also chip in Southwest rapid-transit line to Midway trict. MATA and the city are also exploring money. The $2.2-billion rail construction Airport is ahead of schedule-and, other expansion possibilities-with money proposals are: A 2.5-mile northern spur to strangely enough, under budget-the new being the principal consideration . .. The LAX from the western terminus of the route will not open for at least two years. official opening for Metrorrey, Monterrey's Century Freeway light-rail line now under The reason for the delay is that the Loop light-rail system, is still pegged as Novem­ construction; a 13.5-mile light-rail line 'L' is presently operating near capacity and ber, but the slow pace of construction may from downtown to Pasadena; and, a 5.6- can absorb no additional trains in the push that timetable back to Spring 1991. mile westward extension of the Metro Rail rush. The Southwest line will use the The cars, by the way, will have a.c. motors (Red Line) subway to the San Diego Free­ downtown 'L' structure to either loop or be and take 1500 volts d.c. from the catenary way in Van Nuys. Of the three, the new linked with the Ravenswood Branch; such ... Work is also proceeding in Mexico proposals are the Green Line extension to service cannot begin until Ryan trains City on STC Metro's new light-rail line LAX and the westward extension of the move elsewhere. Unfortunately, linking from Pantitlan to Santa Marta (Los Reyes). Metro Red Line, a "heavy rail" route. It is the Dan Ryan and Howard Street branches Thirty-two cars are under construction at from the west terminal of this line that the must wait until the Howard and 98th Concarril. The line is expected to open in much-debated cross-Valley light-rail con­ Street (Dan Ryan) Yards are enlarged. That 1991 ... In addition to the already ap­ nection would be built to go farther west project was delayed for financial reasons proved SkyTrain route from Royal Oak to along the Southern Pacific fr eight branch. in 1988, but has come back on track in re­ Lougheed Mall and the "rapid transit" link cent months and is expected to be com­ from downtown to Richmond and the air­ PUBLIC NOT SINGING BLUES ABOUT pleted some time in early 1992, at which port, Vancouver's BC Transit is also inves­ 'BLUE LINE': The March public demonstra­ time the new through route can be imple­ tigating: a new SkyTrain line to the Pacific tion rides on the Long Beach Blue Line mented. Only then can the Southwest line National Exhibition grounds from down­ met with overwhelming success based on begin operation. town Vancouver, along either the water­ a sampling of rider reaction. Although the front or Hastings Street; a new line from ride was a short 12-minute stretch on FORWARD TO THE PAST: Comes now an the PNE to Coquitlam Centre, either along trackage used for car testing, it w as ap­ RTA proposal to construct a test "personal Burrard Inlet or south of Burnaby Moun­ parently enough to sell light rail to the ap­ rapid transit" [PRTjline somewhere in the tain; a North Shore SkyTrain route using a proximately 5,000 people who sampled suburbs. PRT is a futuristic system in tunnel under the Inlet to North Vancouver; the new cars. which people in small, fully automated, and a north-south SkyTrain route (or Fast- Norm Johnson

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PACIFIC RAILNews . 45 CITY SCENE

ABOVE: CSX's R555 train the more southerly L&N line between Evansville, is eastbound at Oevil's CSX Operations Ind., and East St. Louis appeared to be in favor with Hole (III.) in November CSX management to handle the bulk of future traf­ 1989, trailing a typical From a railfan's point of view, variety is a railroad­ fic. But change appeared imminent when survey CSX rainbow-like mo­ ing asset in St. Louis. Because of its centralloca­ and construction crews began work on an upgraded tive-power lashup. The tion, St. Louis is a meeting place between major interchange in Vincennes, Ind. Vincennes is located train is fighting a stiff railroads from East and West. Norfolk Southern, at the junction of CSX's ex-B&O Cincinnati-East St. grade as it climbs out of Conrail and CSX enter from the East while Union Louis line and CSX's former C&EI Chicago­ the American Bottoms Pacific, Burlington Northern and Southern Pacific Evansville route. The interchange would allow on CSX's former Balti­ more & Ohio route; this (and now Santa Fe via haulage rights over Gateway trains that formerly ran directly from Evansville to stretch of track along Western) head west from the Gateway City. East St. Louis on L&N to run via Vincennes. O'Fallon Road is very Eastern giant CSX enters the St. Louis area over Cone Yard located in East St. Louis and parallel accessible and easy to two routes; former Louisville & Nashville and Balti­ to 1-55170 has lost a great deal of its importance in photograph. This partic­ more & Ohio main lines are utilized. Up until fall the last decade. At one time, it and the former L&N ular train used to oper­ 1989, both routes were used by through trains and yard which ran adjacent, bustled with activity. Con­ ate on the former L&N each line retained some unique operational charac­ solidation of the two yards shifted all work to Cone line into St. Louis, but teristics. But beginning in October, operations un­ and all engine servicing to Cone's roundhouse in was switched when the derwent major changes. CSX shifted all through 1981. Further reduction in activity occurred as the more southerly route trains to the former B&O route while maintaining result of more trains using the Alton & Southern was downgraded and the ex-L&N line for local service only. Since October, and TRRA yards. Closure of the nearby Front Street cut west of Belleville, III. the L&N route has been severed at Belleville, IlL , TOFC facility in January 1989 doomed Cone to inac­ Paul Fri es with the line being out of service from there into tivity. Today, Cone sees little action save for weekly East St. Louis. doubles tacks and occasional detours. When Chessie System and Seaboard Coast Line If anyone spot could be considered a hub of CSX Industries merged in 1980 to form CSX, rumors be­ activity in the St. Louis area, it would be HN Cabin. gan immediately on the future of both CSX routes HN is located near Washington Park and can be into East St. Louis. One rumor had eastbounds us­ reached by using Illinois 111 from either 1-64 or 1- ing L&N trackage out of town while westbounds 55170. Once on Illinois 111, head east on Forest would enter the area on the roughly parallel B&O. Boulevard in the village of Washington Park to the Alternating rumors of abandonment of either the A&S grade crossing. Here a service road can be L&N or the B&O line also surfaced. In recent years, used north to HN. The attractive two-story frame

46 . JULY 1990 tower guards parallel Conrail (ex-PRR) and CSX (ex­ B&O) routes with the double-track Alton & South­ ern. All 10 CSX symbol freights pass within sight of C5X IN the tower. Generally between 1 and 6 p.rn. , three trains (R370, R555 and R372) depart eastbound. Note the inconsistency in the numbered symbols. 5T.LOU Ex-B&O eastbounds to Cincinnati are even-symbol­ ed while trains which formerly ran east (south) on the ex-L&N line are odd-numbered. The remaining outbound R553 gets out between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. Inbound trains R373, R554 and R556 all arrive be­ ROSE LAKE YARD tween 3 and 9 a.m. R371 usually arrives after 7 p.rn. CR (ex·PRR) R556 and R372 are the only freights which utilize TRRA's Madison yard; TRRA is reached via a con­ nection at Willows Tower. Alton & Southern's Gate­ CSX (ex- 8&O) way Yard handles the remaining tonnage from a HN CABIN connection at HN Cabin. Weekly doublestack trains WASHINGTON PARK from Cotton Belt provide a bit of variety. Train R240 goes east Sunqay evenings, and R241 returns from - CSX trackage Cincinnati on Tuesdays. Commonly the stack trains --Other railroads are powered by SP or SSW power. - Roads ChaSing on the ex-B&O route can be quite re­ warding. Eastbound freights are often slowed by a To 1·64 exil fairly stiff grade out of the American Bottoms. Shots along O'Fallon Road between Caseyville and Fairview Heights are especially scenic. Between O'Fallon and the Indiana state line, US 50 and old US 50 parallel the tracks. CSX depots still in use are located in Breese, Carlyle, Salem and Flora. Shattuc Tower, although unmanned, still stands at the BN (CB&Q) crossing near Centralia. Frequently used sidings for meets or set outs are Carbon (O'Fallon), Breese, Odin and Flora. Operations on the ex-L&N route are handled by a local train from Evansville, Ind. Northbound (westbound) trips are made Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays while southbound (eastbound) trains originate in Belleville on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Northbound symbol J730 arrives in Belleville mid to late afternoon while its counterpart J731 gets out about 8 a.rn. Although the train is usually powered by two locomotives, car counts in excess of five are rare. The track is in excellent shape so a Saturday morning chase can be a real challenge. Use Illinois routes 177, 160 and 15 for a chase route. Depots in Mt. Vernon and Dahlgren are must shots. Radio frequencies in use on the ex-B&O are 160.230 and 160.320. Locals on the ex-L&N use 161.370 and 161.520. CSX uses a 24-hour clock and Eastern Time systemwide; don't be confused if times are mentioned on the radio since Illinois is on CSX's former L&N route between St . Louis and Evansville has been cut west of Central Time. With the locals on the L&N line and Belleville, III. ; the remaining track is served by a single local job. On Feb. 17, 1990, heavy freights on the B&O line, CSX puts on a good the Evansville-bound J731 leaves Belleville with a typically short train. Despite low show in Illinois and the St. Louis area. tonnage on these jobs, two locomotives are usually employed. Paul Fries

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PACIFIC RAILNews • 47 Rail traffic over the ASB stream of BN traffic, trains to and from Norfolk (Armour/SWift/ Burling­ Bridges of Kansas City Southern's Avondale Yard in North Kansas City ton) Bridge is today provide some variety. Where the bridge touches the dominated by unit coal The Hannibal Bridge made Kansas City a transporta­ south bank of the river, three tracks from Union trains, primarily those tion center. Without the construction of the historic Pacific's Neff Yard duck under the elevated ap­ moving between Bur­ structure, one of K.C.'s upstream rivals might have proach to the bridge. The trio splits just west of the lington Northern lines usurped its role as the dominant transportation cen­ Hannibal, with two tracks curving southwest to­ north of the Missouri Riv­ ter of the region. Mergers and bankruptcies have ward UP's Armstrong and 18th Street yards and the er and Kansas City changed the roles of the Hannibal and the eight oth­ third following the west bank of the Missouri River Southern on the south . In er crossings of the Kaw and Missouri rivers ; howev­ to Omaha (ex-MP). May 1987, a trio of KCS er, they are still important pieces in the jigsaw puz­ S040-2s moves a load­ Although the elder statesman of bridges carries ed coal job southbound zle of Kansas City railroading. the bulk of cross-Missouri River traffic, its down­ over the bridge. This It's difficult to photograph action on the K.C . stream junior partner, the ASB Bridge, does a re­ span was originally built bridges without straying off public property; thus, spectable business, especially in unit coal trains, as a double-deck struc­ we'll simply give you a historical and operational most of which are bound for Kansas City Southern. ture with autos traveling overview of the crossings. A story of Kansas City The initials ASB represent Armour, Swift and on the top level; today, bridges has to start with the Hannibal Bridge. Com­ Burlington, the three backers of the bridge. The first the roadway approach­ pleted in 1869, Octave Chanute's structure allowed two are of meat-packing fame while the latter refers es have been cut and Kansas City to become a transportation center for to Burlington as in CB&Q. The ASB was a double­ the bridge is strictly rail­ livestock and later grain. Today's double-track, decked affair which carried auto traffic on the upper road territory. Wayne swing span Hannibal Bridge replaced the original level and railroads on the lower level. With the com­ Kuc hinsky crossing in 1917. During the Missouri River naviga­ pletion of the nearby Heart of America Bridge, ve­ tion season an operator controls the swing span as hicular traffic was diverted to the new structure well as the lift span of the nearby ASB Bridge. The and the approaches to the upper level were re­ Hannibal's main task is to link Burlington Northern moved, giving it an ungainly appearance. with its former Frisco lines. In addition to a steady Moving downstream on the Missouri River, two more bridges have railroad significance. The Chouteau Trafficway bridge was once used by Mil­ NS 10 Moberly, Mo. waukee Road. When CMStP&P and Rock Island BNloOmoho THE BRIDGES OF KANSAS CITY completed their joint trackage and the Harry S. Tru­ man Bridge in 1945, control of the Chouteau Bridge

UP to Omoho was transferred to the city. Though the bridge still carries a respectable amount of auto traffic, the cen­ tury-old span faces an uncertain future. The Tru­ man Bridge hosts CRI&P and Milwaukee successors Soo Line and C&NW. The completion of Rio Grande Industries' purchase of Soo's Kansas City line will put the traffic of this Western behemoth across this impressive-looking edifice. Indeed, much of the pro­ jected traffic increase is already rolling across the

UP/SSN to St.louis HST in the guise of heavier Soo traffic. Unfortunate­ ly, the HST is the most inaccessible of a group that is not known for accessibility. There are five railroad crossings of the Kaw or Kansas River in metropolitan Kansas City, three of which are still active. The most southerly of the ~ group is Kansas City Terminal's double-decked af­ .",... " Note: Trackage greatly simplified to focus on routes os· BN to Fort SeoH, Ken. N sociated with bridge troffic. fair. This imposing structure was not finished until

48 . JULY 1990 1919, five years after the completion of Union Sta­ mation of the purchase of Soo's Kansas City line has Hannibal Bridge is the tion, and delayed by World War I and political also added to the traffic density. Union Pacific's ab­ granddaddy of river squabbling. When the bridge was finally finished, sorption of Katy has further boosted the number of spans in Kansas City, there were two double-tracked levels. The lower lev­ trains using the bridge, as movements between UP and is credited with el handled freight and transfers while the upper lev­ and MKT's trackage rights on BN's ex-Frisco line use helping turn the city into el was the domain of varnish. Originally there was the upper level of the structure. a major transportation to be an elevated Kansas City, Kan., "Union Station" Moving northward toward the confluence of the center. Today, the on the west side of the bridge where the two legs of Kansas and Missouri rivers, a single-track bridge is bridge is dominated by the high line met. However, the plan never left the next to be encountered. Located behind Kemper Burlington Northern trains; the span con­ drawing board, and two separate stations were built Arena, the structure was once owned by Rock Is­ nects the original CB&Q for the Kansas side. Rock Island and Union Pacific land and was used to access the West Bottoms and lines in the northern part came off the upper level of the bridge and headed a CRI&P freight house. This same building is in use of the city with the ex­ west to 7th Street Station, while Missouri Pacific as a warehouse (with faded Rock Island heralds still Frisco lines entering from trains going to the Omaha line and tenant CGW di­ visible), but the tracks connecting it with the now­ the south. In this scene verged north to the Central Avenue Station. Both of empty bridge are gone. from July 1987 a BN the Kansas side stations survived into the 1980s, on­ The middle Kansas River crossing belongs to transfer powered by a ly to be razed within a month of each other. With the Union Pacific. Located just south of newly opened pair of GP9s leaves the decline of passenger trains in the 1960s, traffic on Interstate 670, this double-tracked affair is part of south end of the bridge. the upper level began to dry up. Part of this void the busy main connection between Union Pacific The small white shack was filled by Rock Island freights avoiding the traffic and its ex-Missouri Pacific Lines. In stark contrast on the side of the bridge congestion around KCT towers 3 and 4, but this re­ to this bustling scene is a now-quiet span owned by is where the operator is prieve proved short term when CRI&P fatally col­ Kansas City Southern that lies to the north. Al­ stationed during the riv­ lapsed. With the demise of the Rock and no passen­ though the rails are still in place, KCS uses the low­ er navigation season. ger trains to use the upper level, one of the two er level of KCT's double-decked affair to reach its Wayne Ku c hinsky tracks was removed, and the redundancy of the re­ Armourdale operations. maining set made its future appear grim. But merger The final stop on our tour is the former MP cross­ mania has pumped new life into both levels of the ing at the mouth of the Kaw. Chicago Great West­ bridge. Southern Pacific, through its subsidiary Cot­ ern, and its successor C&NW, also used the bridge ton Belt, purchased the St. Louis-Tucumcari portion to reach its yard from trackage rights on MoPac. of the moribund Rock Island and then acquired Chicago & North Western scrapped the yard as well trackage rights over Missouri Pacific between as the rest of CGW, and the UPIMP merger casts Kansas City and St. Louis to avoid rebuilding the doubts on the necessity of this line. However, de­ Rock's derelict line to the Gateway City. Access to spite C&NW's move to the HST, traffic levels have the then MoPac line came via this bridge, and the held steady, and it appears that Armour Yellow structure's activity was further enhanced when units will be trundling over the span for the foresee­ D&RGW purchased SP. Anticipation of the consum- able future.

PACIFIC RAILNews • 49 In this month's "Images," we present the first of several tributes to states in PRNs territory. Starting at a logical point, we've assembled a collection of diesel era photos that unmistakably say "California!" ABOVE: Gone but not forgotten, West­ ern Pacific is California's most-prominent fallen flag. In July 1979, merger is still a few years away as WP 3015 (trailed by a leased UP C30-7) rolls through Greenville on the Highline. Ken Rattenne RIGHT: The Tehachapi Mountains pro­ vide a backdrop for one of the greatest spectacles in American railroading. On April 5, 1990, an eastbound Southern Pacific freight navigates the curving route through the Tehachapis near Bealville siding. Ronald C. Hill

LEFT: A busy San Diego summer day for AT&SF in 1953. At right, a northbound with a coach-obs is ready to depart. Next to it, one of the new SO-series trains has a Fairbanks-Morse team subbing for the usual ROC. At left, 415 heads up one of the overnight head-end trains. Fred Matthews

50 . JULY 1990 ______~-tft---·-~~-T-H--E--G-O--L-D-E--N--S-T-A-T-E------­ OF RAILROADING

PACIFIC RAILNews • 51

I ___ 1-r-1 1----=:.1t~ ~ THE GO LDEN STA TE 11OF RAILROADING I ,-

LEFT: Southern Pacific's assault on the Sierra Nevada via Donner Pass is the stuff of legends. In June 1988 the westbound CHOAT winds through mountain splendor with a string of loaded auto racks and flatcars. Ric hard Steinheimer ABOVE: A little­ photographed train in much-pho­ tographed territory, UP's City of Las Vegas is eastbound near Cajon Summit on July 4, 1960. Note the stars and stripes flying on the lead E-unit, celebrating Independence Day on No. 116 as it encounters a westbound freight. Fred Matthews RIGHT: Santa Fe trains leaving the Bay Area from Richmond must cross one range of low hills that form a barrier to east­ ward movement. In the process, eastbounds-like this pig train at Christie led by C30-7 8013 in October 1989-pass through the scenic and relatively undisturbed reaches of Franklin Canyon, just a few miles from growing urban sprawl. Ed Randall

PACIFIC RAILNews • 53 I

FROM THE BILL PRICE NORFOLK & WESTERN 8MM COLOR FILM COLLECTION Blue Ridge Steam Railroad photography in the 50 's means Steam .. .and in 1955 to 1958 William P. Price took his cameras to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia to capture the Norfolk & Western steam classics in action. See the Y6 2-8-8-2, Class A 2-6-6-4 and the Z class 2-6-6-2 thundering over Blue Ridge Summit east of Roanoke and west up the Christiansburg Grade. You 'll also see the Y 6's and K class 4-8-2's Allegheny Rails Vol. I: The Baltimore & Ohio on the Shenandoah Line north of Roanoke to Hagerstown , MD. The N&W's famous "J" 4-8-4 engines head up passenger trains Powhatan Arrow, Pocahontas, #024, Color, 55 minutes, Hi-Fi Sound, VHS or BETA $49 95 Cavalier, and the Tennessean. There 's variety in the Blacksburg Mixed pulled by a class M 4-8-0 and the Norton Local with 4-6-2 #578. Plus these added attrac­ The Western Maryland tions ... Southern Railway's #4501 leads an excursion over N&W rails in October, Allegheny Rails Vol. II: 1966. Also take a Vista Dome trip on the diesel powered Powhatan Arrow in 1966 #025, Color, 52 minutes, Hi-Fi Sound, VHS or BETA $49 96 from Roanoke to Iaeger, West Virginia. I n color with narration by Rege Cordic. Musical background. 82 minutes. Filmed in 1953 and 1954 Volume I documents the Baltimore & Ohio's Pittsburgh #035, Color, Hi-Fi Sound, VHS or BETA Division over Sand Patch Grade and the Cumberland Division's west end . Shipping: Add $2.50 (U.S. & Canada) Features Big Six 2-10-2, EM-1 2-8-8-4, P1 d 4-6-2, Q1 BA 2-8-2, Alca FA diesel. Check - Money Order-Visa - MasterCard Volume II features the Western Maryland's mainline to Connellsville and the Elkins Subdivision. See the Decapod 2-10-0, Challenger 4-6-6-4, H9 2-8-0, Available TO ORDER CALL TOLL FREE: 800-448-3987 (OR 303-770-8421) Pacific 4-6-2, Potomac 4-8-4, F7 and Alco RS-2. Narrated by Rege Cordic. Jan.151990 Musical background.

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PACIFIC RAILNEWS reserves the right to edit all copy and Long Beach. Clothbound edition, 172 pages, productions that need sweetening. Let us know and refuse any listings. Ads cannot be acknowl­ over 240 photos and illustrations including 9 maps what you have-we'll make one-time payment for edged, nor can proof copies be sent. Closing date: and 4 color p lates. $34 .95 postpaid, Calif. res . the right stuff. Call Bob Schneider 818-240-9130 20th of 3rd month before issue date. Count all add 6112% tax. Buyers outside U.S. add 52.00 ship­ Mon-Thurs 1-7 p .m. Pacific Time. 315 UF numbers, name and address. Horne/office street ping. Dealers welcome. OMNI PUBLICATIONS, Box address and telephone number must accompany 900566, Dept PRN, Palmdale, CA 93590. 319-321 WANTED: Railroad books, paper collections, ency­ ad order, even if not included in copy. RATES: 20e clopedias, rul e books, operating manuals, pocket a word/$5 minimum. Payment in advance. FOR SALE : Ex-N&W 10-6 sleeper McDowell County. calendars, lanterns, china and railroadiana. Steve Pullman-built in 1949. Amtrak certified. Never been Botan, 19822 Lexington, Huntington Beach, CA WANTED: Any informotion on the Southern Pacific modified. Stored inSide. Body sandblasted, primed 92646, (714) 962-1126 320-325 depot located in Glendale, California: whether it and ready to paint. Serious inquiries o nly. (216) be plans, blue prints, photographs or history. The 285-2147. 318-320 WANTED: Highest quality original Kodak slides of re­ City of Glendale has purchased this historic build­ cently painted rai lroad freight cars a nd locomo· ing and intends to re store it and needs any infor­ FRISCO 1522 at St . Louis Union Station in steam, tives. Most railroads and private owners. Ron KarL mation it can get. Contact: City of Glendale, publicity runs , maintenance, in station area. Also 1507 15th St .. Two Harbors, MN 55616. 318-320 Poul C. Koehler, Superin tendent of Building Main­ depicts other cars and locomotives in collection. tenonce/Communications, 120 North Isabel St .. VHS 2hrs .. $23 .95, Listing, SSAE, Paul Spieth, Great Glendale, CA 91206-4313 . Phone: (818) 956-3970. Central Productions, P.O. Box 413, Centralia, IL 318-320 62801-0413. 320

ORIGINAL, KODAK-PROCESSED SLIDES: 120 ,6 16 RAILROAD BOOKS (many out of print). Railroad B&W negatives, mostly Midwest, Southern main­ postcards and PAC IFI C NE WS index for issues 1 line, shortlines and industrials. Li st sa mple $1. Rail­ through 245. SSAE for list. Chatham Publishing Co .. fanet 7.290MMZ Sundays 1700UTC. Tim Colbert P.O . Box 283, Burlingame, CA 94010. 314-325 13609 Colony Lane, Burton, OH 4402l. (2 16) 834- 1737. 318-321 OVER 12,000 TRAIN depot photos for sale. Send S1 for list of your state. Robert Niesz, 1715 B Ave. N.E ., PACIFIC NORTHWEST STEAM TRAIN LOVERS : Large lot for sale in Duran­ Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 314-322 HEADQUARTERS FOR: go, CO. Watch the D&SNG train from your patio! Frontage on tracks, views of train, Animas River, CANADIAN PACIFIC (BEAVER) , Frisco, Missouri Pa­ MODEL TRAINS mountains. Caboose Junction Lot #2. Lot #1 cific, Northern Pacific, Pacific Electric, Pike's Peak, home is two converted cabooses. L. Lindahl. P.O. Santa Fe , Southern Pacific, Union Pacific and Box 365, Ruth , NV 89319. 320-32 1 Western Pacific uniform button blazer sets. Two BOOKS large, six small, $6.25 each. Joseph Lajoie, P.O. Box SANTA FE ROUTE TO THE PACIFIC by Phil Serpico. An in­ 3, Methuen, MA 01844. 316-321 VIDEOS depth historical review of southern California branchline constru ction from Los Angeles to Port INTERURBAN VIDEOS is looking for railroad and 725 ROW RIVER ROAD Ballona, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica and the traction sound effects that can be dubbed onto COTTAGE GROVE, OR 97424 modern day operations at Los Angeles Harbor vintage si lent footage. We have several upcoming 1.:;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; (503) 942-5117 ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;:,1

COLORADO POST OFFICES 1859 - 1989 William H, Bauer James L. Ozment John H. Willard Here is the most complete listing ever compiled of the post offices, stations and branches which have existed in the state of Colorado. Included are PRESENTING the opening and closing dates for ORIGINAL ea~h, as well as the location by county. RECORDINGS OF ThiS new book is a complete revision GREAT AMERICAN and updating of the original study of TRAIN SONGS AND HARD TO FIND SPECIAIIY ITEMS (QUAliTY CASSEITE ONLy) 20 years ago and con tams additional data in several areas. (I) GREAT AMERICAN TRAIN SONGS VOL. 1. HEAR JOHNNY CASH. JERRY LEE LEWIS. JOHNNY HORTON AND MORE PERFORM CLASSICS UKE ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL. ROCK ISLAND UNE • WAITING Colorado Post Offices 1859-1989 is of FOR A TRAIN. PLUS MANY MORE-$9.95+S2.00 P&H interest not only to those in th e (2) GREAT AMERICAN TRAIN SONGS VOL. 11. FEATURES ROY ACUFF. STEVE GOODMAN. JOHNNY CASH rapidly expanding field of postal his­ ~. REX ALLEN JR. AND 6 MORE PERFORMING CLASSICS UKE WABASH CANNONBALL; CITV OF NEW tory, but It also provides a valuable ~"{; ORLEANS; CASEY JONES; JOHN HENRY AND MORE. PLUS AN ADDED BONUS-A 6 MINUTE EYEWITNESS TESTIMONIAL OF THE FAMOUS WRECK OF CASEY JONES BY CASEY'S ACTUAL FIREMAN reference for anyone intrigued by "SIMMS" (RECORDED IN EARLY '50'S IN MEMPHIS, TN.)-$9.95+$2.00 P&H Col?ra~o history and the state's many (3) "20 RAILROJID SONGS AND BJlLLJlDS" RARE COLLECTORS ITEM RECORDED BY THE UBRARY OF fascmating ghost towns and mining CONGRESS. ACTUAL FIELD RECORDINGS MADE ON RAILROAD LINES AND IN HOBO JUNGLES ACROSS camps. 28"8 pages, clothbound, over AMERICA MANY YEARS AGO-INFORMATIVE BOOKLET INCLUDED-MANY SONGS NEVER HEARD 40 pllOtographs, reproduction of 44 BEFORE!-$9.95+$2.00 P&H historic postal covers and 80 rare (4) "RIDING THE RJULS"THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAIN VIDEO BY JOHNNY CASH. THIS 52 MINUTE DOCUMUSICAL (AVAILABLE IN VHS) WAS A WINNER AT THE INTERNATIONAL FILM & TV FESTIVAL cancellations. OF NEW YORK! SEE EXClTING TRAIN SCENES (STEAM & DIESEL) AND HEAR MORE THAN A DOZEN from the $39.95 postpaid, GREAT TRAm SONGS-SOME WRITTEN JUST FOR THIS SPECIAL VIDEO-$29.95+$3.00 P&H SATISFACTION GUARANTEED- ORDER YOURS TODAY!!! PLEASE ADD $2.00 POSTAGE & HANDUNG FOR FIRST ORDER ADD SOC (FIFTY CENTS) FOR EACH ADDlTIONAL MUSIC CASSETTE. ADD $3.00 P&H FOR Colorado Railroad Museum VIDEO ONLY! (TENNESSEE RESIDENTS ADD 7% % SALES TAX.) DEPT. N, BOX 10, GOLDEN COLO. 80402 I VISA I DIAL TOLL FREE 1-800-242-1171 AND USE VlSJI OR MJlSTERCARD OR RUSH CHECK OR MONEY ORDER (SORRY NO C.O.D.) I' all Yisit the Museum, open daily year round at 17155 W. 44th Avenue 12 miles west of Downtown Denver, ROUNDHOUSE RECORDS, INC. P.o. BOX 210-314 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37221-0314 (615) 646-5661

PACIFIC RAILNews • 55