CENTRALCENTRAL VALLEYVALLEY FLYERFLYER ..

Photo provided by the Railroad Heritage Foundation

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA MODEL RAILROAD and HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc. (CCMRHS) A 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization and a Division of Toy Operating Society JUNE 2018

BOARD MEMBERS Meeting: Kings Fair Grounds 801 S. 10th Ave., Hanford, CA 93230 President Chuck Brough (559) 250-7789 Thursday - Sunday June 7 - 10, 2018 5—10 pm [email protected] Setup layout Wednesday - July 6, 2018 12 pm

Vice President Board Meeting: No Board Meeting this month (June) Roger Baehne (559) 642-2881 No E-mail OUR NEW LOOK Editor Rick Plummer Secretary Fernando Munoz As most of you know I have had a big concern about the name used on our Newsletter - (559) 591-3991 The Trackside Bulletin. It was very close to the Newsletter from Sacramento Div. - The Side- [email protected] track. This past month the board members voted on a new name, “The Central Valley Flyer”. Now onto the background of the Central Valley Flyer. Frank contacted the Los Angles Heritage Treasurer Frank Spina Foundation for a photo of the Central Valley Flyer, which they graciously provided. (559) 361-9308 [email protected] VALLEY FLYER

Director SANTA FE PASSENGER SERVICE - CENTRAL Joe Bencivengo Submitted by Joe Bencivengo SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA (559) 298-5854 [email protected] The “VALLEY FLYER” was a short-lived named passenger train of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway. Designated Train #70 provided daily round trip service between Bakersfield and Oakland, Ca. Past President The all-heavyweight, semi-streamlined train ran through the Central San Joaquin Valley, hence the name, during Joe Bencivengo the 1939 – 1940 International Exposition on “Treasure Island” in San Francisco Bay. (559) 298-5854 [email protected] Motive power was two Baldwin built 1300 class 4-6-2 “Pacific” locomotives (#1369 and #1376) refurbished and ______decorated for the train. It was Santa Fe’s first attempt at streamlining older steam power.

Editor The locomotives had metal skirting along the sides, painted aluminum (nose & smokestack) with red and yellow Rick Plummer stripes, these being outlined by black pinstripes; the tenders were similarly decorated. A yellow “Circle and Cross” (559) 924-9227 emblem backed by red “wings” was emblazoned across the front of the locomotives above the pilot deck, and on [email protected] each side of the tender, which also featured a red “wing”. The air-conditioned rolling stock was painted aluminum with red and yellow stripes along their sills, bordered with AGENDA for Board black pinstripes. Stripes on the combine unit split into two sets, with one sweeping up to align with those on the Mtg or Member Mtg. locomotive tenders. Window shades were painted matte aluminum. The sides of the passenger cars bore “SANTA FE” in black, extra-extended Railroad Roman letters. The design of the VALLEY FLYER’S drumhead To place an item on was inspired by that of its counterpart, the Golden Gate. the Agenda for Board The first run was on June 11, 1939. The train left Bakersfield daily at 6:30 AM PST and arrived in Oakland at Meeting or Regular 12:35 PM, then returned at 1:55 PM, pulling into Bakersfield at 8:00 PM. Members’ Meeting, EQUIPMENT/CONSIST: The aforementioned Baldwin’s w/tenders with a Combine Baggage-Barbershop-Buffet- please contact Library car #1302; Lounge Car #1367; Diner #1467; “Chair” car/Coach #3002; “Chair” car/ Chuck Brough with Coach #3005; “Chair” car/Coach #3006. all possible speed at 559-250-7789, or Beginning on October 27, 1941, the “FLYER” cars (save for the lounge car) were used to transport troops as a section of the “” on the Santa Fe’s “Surf Line” between Los Angeles and San Diego. In 1942 the email at <> ahey- “VALLEY FLYER” train set was discontinued and the passenger cars returned to pool service, repainted Coach [email protected] Green. The View from the Smokestack <> CALIFORNIA RAILS Chuck Brough Submitted by: Frank Spina DID YOU KNOW— First, please forgive whatever I wrote last month.  The St. Louis & San Francisco Railway”, fa- At the last minute, I submitted a column to Rick mously known and branded as “the Frisco,” for which I should not/cannot be held responsi- operated primarily throughout the states be- ble. I was sick as a dog with bronchitis, and with tween Missouri and Texas and never asthma on top of that, I was pretty much a reached anywhere into California. So, “Ship wreck. So I forgot to thank Frank for his again it on the Frisco!” But, not to San Francisco. presenting his safety program for the Hanford/ Lemoore area kids. Train safety is a big item,  There are two remarkable “loops” in Califor- about a week ago some lady got grazed by a nia—the Tehachapi Loop in Keene, and the train while hyper focused on her cell phone. !!! Williams Loop west of Spring Garden in What are some people thinking ? It seems Northern California. In both cases, a train someone always is there to take the baton from loops around and passes over itself to main- me. And again Frank Spina has step forward. tain a steady grade while gaining altitude. The Western Pacific Railroad, originator of Frank will participate in the TTOS national phone the famous California Zephyr passenger ser- calls and represent us in voting on issues of the vice through the Feather River Canyon, was national organization until my so highly important able to maintain a maximum 1 percent grade baseball season is over. If you think of anything across the Sierra’s through careful engineer- that should be brought to national’s attention, ing, well-placed tunnels and the Williams please contact Frank and carbon copy me. Loop. Contrast that to the former Central Pa- Thanks. cific’s route over Donner Pass where portions And also on the brighter side, Kudos to Fer- of the grade reach 2.3 percent. (Steeper nando for giving us the new newsletter name. grades require more powerful locomotives and burn more fuel.) This is, I guess, the first issue of the Central Val- ley Flyer. I like it because it conveys two pieces  In the early 1900’s, the Southern Pacific and of information: the Central Valley is the origin of the Western Pacific battled over track rights the newsletter, and the Valley Flyer was Santa to the port at Oakland. Southern Pacific Fe’s valley contribution to fine rail travel. I guess claimed exclusive rights to the port. “In the I also like it because I still get to use the byline middle of the night on January 5, 1906, WP “The View from the Smokestack.” track gangs hastily hammered together a Have a great summer. I think Joe has the Clovis track to the waterfront. SP’s attorneys were show under control. livid, but WP successfully defended its rights in court, and Oakland had two railroads serv- That’s enough smoke for now. ing its waterfront.”1

See you at the fair. Chuck 1. More Classic American Railroads, © Andover Junction Publications (2000), pgs 152-153.

SHOW & TELL

Alvin Costa: Brought in two tinplate sets. Made by UNIQUE ART MFG. CO. INC., 1950-52. Shown are two Cir- cus Sets.

SHOW & TELL (CONT.) If you enjoyed these pictures, there is a video on Fred Albers - our web-site. Go to www.ttos-ccmrhs.org and select videos. Thanks to Frank taking the pic- Needed some help placing a 10’ section of track tures, you do not notice all of the work he was in his back yard layout. Of course the workers doing, trust me he did as much as everyone like to play any chance they can. else.

Fred and Joann found an old highway RR sign showing 2 tracks crossing the road.

Fernando provided a Lionel Training video, it covered cleaning and repairing post war steam engines and whistle tenders. Here is Chuck, Bob S. and Roger watching very intently.

But wait! Where is Fernando?

CCMRHS Events for 2018

NOTE: Meetings could change due to special events scheduled through out the year.

CCMRHS Board Meetings and Member Meetings 2nd Sat each Month.

Jun 07-10 Kings Fair - 4 days - Set up Jun 06, noon Jun 09 Canceled Board Meeting, Denny’s in Fowler, 9 am followed by Member Meeting, Fowler Library, 10am Jul 14 Board Meeting, Denny’s in Fowler, 9 am followed by Member Meeting, Fowler Library, 10am Jul 31- Aug 4 TTOS Convention - Tyson’s Corner, Virginia Aug 11 Board Meeting, Denny’s in Fowler, 9 am followed by Member Meeting, Fowler Library, 10am Sep 08 Board Meeting, Denny’s in Fowler, 9 am followed by Member Meeting, Fowler Library, 10am Sep 15 Clovis Train Show, Clovis Senior Ctr Oct 13 Board Meeting, Denny’s in Fowler, 9 am followed by Member Meeting, Fowler Library, 10am Nov 03-04 Hanford Mall - Layout setup Nov 10 Annual Member Meeting and Dinner, Cattlemen's Restaurant. Dec 05 Hanford Library -Layout setup Dec 07-09 Sequoia Mall Visalia - Layout setup (No member meeting) Dec xx Fowler Library Christmas Program- Layout setup

Shows/Events - In The Not So Local Area - 2018

Jul 31- Aug 4 TTOS Convention - Tyson’s Corner, Virginia Oct xx Scot- Rite - Sacramento Nov xx-xx Cal-Stewart - LA area Dec 01-02 Turlock Train Show -

Toy Train Operating Society National Convention Tysons Corner, VA - July 31—August 4, 2018

Pre-Convention Tours - Sunday July 29 - Dover Harbor Pullman Train Experience Mon & Tues. July 30-31 - Cass Scenic Railroad Excursion Convention Tours- Tuesday, July 31 - Washington, DC Monuments Wednesday, Aug. 1 - Harpers Ferry West Virginia and/or Dinner Cruise the Potomac. Thursday, Aug. 2 - Udvar-Hazy Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum. Friday, Aug. 3 - Home Layout Tours - Visit 4 home layouts. Saturday, Aug. 4 - Mount Vernon Other Events - Thur. Aug. 2 - Welcome Party and Silent Auction Sat. Aug 4 - Social Hour and Silent Auction; Banquet and Live Auction Fri & Sat. Aug 3 & 4 - Trading Hall and Raffles