GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY ISSt1E Fifty Candles for Western Facific

By G. H. KNEISS

Tuesday, March 3, 1903, was just Pardee signed a bill making the Golden another rainy day to most San Fran­ Poppy the state flower of California. Department of Public Relations ciscans. There wasn't much excitement. No, not too much excitement, but WESTE RN PACIFIC RAILROAD Carrie Nation, armed with axe and even so readers of the San Francisco SACRt:MENTO NORTHERN RAILWAY TIDEWATER SOUTHERN RAILWAY Bible, smashed some bottled goods Chronicle next day reached page 14 526 Mission Street, San Francisco 5 and glassware in a Montgomery Street before they learned that eleven men Lee "Flash" Sherwood, Editor Arthur Lloyd, Jr., Associate Editor saloon and was hustled off to jail. To had sat down around a table in the bfe1ltbe1' Am.erioan. If,ailtvuy Mafjazine Editors' Association jail likewise went Miss Flo Russell, a Safe Deposit Building on California bf embm" Northent California Industrial Editors' Association young lady whose crime lay in expos­ Street and organized a new trans conti- ing an ankle and bit of petticoat while lifting her CONTENTS skirts high enough to clear the muddy pave­ Page ment, and to jail in Marin Fifty Candles for Western Pacific 1 County, across the Bay, went one G eorge Gow, Western Pacific Signs Union Shop Agreements 21 who illegally failed to WP Will Remember . 21 bring his automobile to a dead stop when a horse­ Promotions and Transfers 22 drawn vehicle approached within 300 feet. Meet Your General Chairmen 23 Over in Corea (as it Don't Be HALF Safe! 24 then was spelled), San Franciscans learned from In Memoriam 25 their newspapers, fighting Dear Editor: 26 went on along the Yalu River between the Rus­ Caboosing 30 sians and the Japanese, and at Harvard Professor What's Buzzin', Cousin? 44 Hollis, chairman of the Athletic Committee, said • M 'ilepost No. -H: Tidewater Southern steam, locornotive flo. 132 lJaSSes 1l1ilepost 44, ntid­ 'way between Pleasanton and LiveT11tOre, at the head end oj a Tail/an excu1'sion special on that football aroused only Ap1":l21, 1952, now an 'ltwu,sualsight on the co?npletely dieseUzed Western Pacific. the worst impulses and should be abolished. Up ~ 7 in Sacramento Governor

MARCH, 1953 nental railroad to be named the West­ trained as a surveyor. By that time the had become popular for covered wagon of Plumas County to take and Sub­ ern Pacific. gold diggers that had briefly overrun trains. scribe to the Capital Stock of the Oro­ It was to run from the city of the Feather River country following Keddie made his canyon reconnais­ ville and Virginia City Railroad Com­ San Francisco eastward through the Bidwell's celebrated discovery on July sance in the dead of winter but the pany." Actually, it not only authorized canyons of the Feather River and 4, 1848, had departed with their pokes snows he encountered were surpris­ them, it specified that said Supervisors Beckwourth Pass and on to Salt Lake and six-shooters. Barkeeps and dance ingly light. Furthermore, he found a could be fined, removed from office, City. By branch lines it was also to hall gals had followed them. The many­ route with grades too easy to waste on and sued for damages if they didn't serve San Jose, Alameda, Berkeley, pronged turbulent river which Ar­ a wagon road. Back to Quincy he went do so! This may have been good politics Richmond, Fresno, Chico and Pratt­ guello had named Rio de las Plumas with a thrill and a dream in his heart­ but it was deplorable public relations. ville. Walter J. Bartnett, San Francisco, because of countless floating feathers the thrill of having discovered what he Enthusiasm for the railroad in Plumas felt sure would prove to be the best County cooled while indignation boiled route for a transcontinental railway and the Supervisors resigned en masse. and the dream of having part in build­ A legal battle finally repealed the ing it. obnoxious statute. The young surveyor managed to in­ General Rosecrans tried to induce terest several important men in his the Union Pacific to take over the idea: Asbury Harpending of diamond O. & V. C. project as its California Reconnaissance hoax fame, Civil War General William connection and thus by-pass the Cen­ party on the Butte tral Pacific with its already critical cG Pluntas Railway Rosecrans, Creed Hammond and others. Corrt,pany. HSnow- Some of them were sincerely interested snow problems. His old comrade in ball}} is carrying a in railroad building. Harpending, for arms, General G. M. Dodge, actually des k and b eddinu one, was convinced that the Central left his U. P. construction camp and jor two 'Inen. Pacific had chosen a most inferior came out to consider the offer. He liked route over the mountains and would what he saw but the Central Pacific be easy competition. As the Quincy end-of-track was miles into the Ne­ Union put it: "The Central Pacific have vada sagebrush by then and, although long since understood they must con­ the Union Pacific was authorized by tent themselves with the summer trade Congress to build to the California of Virginia City and Carson. The line, it had to stop wherever it met Feather River Railroad will be the road lawyer and promoter, had subscribed from moulting wild pigeons, flowed in the C. P. across the continent." But others of the to 14,900 of the 15,000 shares of capital solitude through its deep gorges. associates were looking only at the Keddie started construction on the stock but behind him, speculation One of the first professional jobs that speculative possibilities when coupled O. & V. C. near Oroville in the spring went, were probably the Goulds, the came Keddie's way after he had hung with their own political influence. of '69. A gang of thirty Chinamen was Vanderbilts, Jim Hill or David Moffat. out his shingle at Quincy, county seat The Oroville and Virginia City Rail­ put to grading between Thompson Flat Perhaps the reason that the Chronicle of Plumas County, was that of explor­ and Morris Ravine. Shortly afterward put its writeup back on page 14 along road Company was formed in April, ing the North Fork of the Feather for Congress was asked to help with a land with the truss ads and the electric belts 1867. Capital stock sales were author­ the newly-organized Oroville and grant of 641,200 acres. But the whole was that the story was not exactly ized up to five million dollars, but a new. Men had talked about a railroad Beckwourth Pass Wagon Road Com­ negligible amount was sold. Whereupon thing blew up. The builders of the pany. Beckwourth Pass, for unknown some of Keddie's new associates rail­ Central Pacific were adept at "pres­ through ~he Feather River Canyon for a long time, particularly one named ages a great Indian thoroughfare, had roaded a most amazing bill through sure" and they put plenty of it on Arthur W. Keddie. been discovered to civilization by Jim the California Legislature and induced Harpending to ditch the scheme. And KEDDIE'S DREAM Beckwourth, a mulatto scout, in 1850. Governor Haight to sign it. one of them, C. P. Huntington, laughed Keddie had come to California in the A Sierra crossing more than 2,000 feet This new law was entitled "An Act Keddie out of his office with the remark early sixties - a young Scottish lad, below the elevation of Donner Pass, it Authorizing the Board of Supervisors "no man will ever be fool enough to

2 MILEPOSTS ]'[ARCH, 1953 trial surveys over the Sierra. One was almost as bad above it, this low divide down the Pit River, one through offered a means of utilizing the best Susanville and along Deer Creek, sev­ parts of both canyons. eral through Beckwourth Pass and Crossing the Sierra summit at Beck­ down the Feather. Bogue rather fa­ wourth Pass, thence descending the vored the Deer Creek route despite upper reaches of the Middle Fork and some 80 miles of 4 per cent grade, but cutting over to the North Fork at J ay Gould gained control of the Union Spring Garden, as Keddie had sug­ Pacific about that time, and the plans gested, to reach the Sacramento Valley for a San Francisco extension were at Oroville, Kennedy completed his abandoned. survey late in 1892. It was a good line, with a ruling grade of 173 per cent, and THE SAN FRANCISCO & as he filed his maps in the various GREAT SALT LAKE county court houses, they established This was bad news to California under the existing laws, a five-year WesteT1t Pacific, unlike ea1'lim' t1'anscon· build a railroad through the Feather shippers and merchants who had hoped option on the route in the name of the Nnentals, was largely rn,achine constructed, River Canyon." for some relief from the Central Pacific San Francisco and Great Salt Lake though the equipment used seems qunint by monopoly which skillfully adjusted today's standards. Railroad Company. Arthur Keddie had to put his dream rates to the maximum figures which in mothballs but he did not forget it. With these rights and Kennedy's Left, above, shows a steam, shovel w01"king would allow its customers to remain in The seventies and the eighties passed. estimate of $35 million to build the in the cut just enst oj Oroville. business. A group of them got together The close of the latter decade found railroad, the San Franciscans jour­ and determined to build the Union Right, above... is the fr1nerry-go-Tound" used the Union Pacific, less than entirely neyed to New York City, the lair of in const1'ucting large fills in operation oJ P acific connection themselves. They capital. But everywhere the S.F.& Milepost 59. happy with its western connection, incorporated the San Francisco and G.S.L. promoters called, they found again considering its own line to San Great Salt Lake Railroad Company Below, ulnL1J1'Oved I-Jar 1'1s '1'1'ack-Layer.JJ Francisco. Out in the field was Virgil G. Collis P. Huntington had been before putting down 1'Ctil near I-Ia1"t w ell (now Quincy and hired Bogue's assistant, W. H. them. Why spend $35 million to com­ Junction) . Bogue, U. P. chief engineer, running Kennedy. If he could locate a practi­ pete with him, the wily old man had cable route, one which was not too asked each likely angel, he'd be glad expensive, they felt it should be pos­ to let them have the Central Pacific, sible to find Eastern capitalists who monopoly and all, for a good deal less would finance the undertaking. and be glad to get it off his hands. No Kennedy was, of course, familiar one called his bluff and the San Fran­ with the surveys made by Union Pa­ cisco and Great Salt Lake Railroad cific but believed he might find an Company joined the other punctured even better line. In Quincy he called bubbles. at the County Surveyor's office for a map of Plumas County; the County HARRI MAN VS. GOUL D Surveyor was Arthur Keddie, and the When Jay Gould had acquired con­ two men found a lot to talk about. trol of the Denver and Rio Grande Keddie told the engineer of the low properties, he had seriously considered pass he had found near Spring Garden extending them to the Pacific Coast. Ranch between the Middle Fork of the The Union Pacific, however, control of Feather and Spanish Creek, a tributary which he no longer owned, had induced of the North Fork. As the Middle Fork him not to. Both systems interchanged Canyon became impossibly steep below their westbound traffic with the Cen­ this point and the North Fork was tral Pacific at Ogden and in return the

MARCH, 1953 5 laLLer divided its eastbound loads equi­ even to let their wives know where tably between them. they were. Letters could only be ex­ But when E. H. Harriman and his changed through the Denver office of supporters, after acquiring the Union the railroad. Two California corpora­ Pacific, picked up control of the South­ tions, the Butte and Plumas Railway ern Pacific System after C. P. Hunt­ and the Indian Valley Railway, were ington died in 1900, they closed the set up to be the figureheads. Overland Gateway to the rival Rio It was, however, more than a bit Grande. George Gould, Jay's eldest difficult to keep anything concerned son, had succeeded to the 11,OOO-mile with a railroad through the Feather rail empire by then. It was his ambi­ River Canyon secret from Arthur Ked­ tien to have his own rails from coast die. That was a subject he kept up to coast. They already stretched from with. Furthermore, he had another Buffalo to Ogden, railroad scheme on the fire himself. He EDWARD T. JEFFERY he had definite had formed an alliance with one Walter June 23, 1905 plans to reach Bal­ J . Bartnett who, with his associates, November 6, 1913 timore, and he had had built a short line, the Alameda and hoped to acquire San Joaquin Railroad only a few years the Central Pacific before from Stockton southwest to the himself. Now, bottled up in Utah by Tesla coal mines. The mines had not PRESIDENTS Harriman, he decided to build a new come up to expectations and Bartnett, road to San Francisco. who was an exceedingly high powered Virgil Bogue had become George promoter, had conceived the ambitious of Gould's consulting engineer and re­ plan of extending his 36-mile railroad calling his surveys for the Union Pacific east to Salt Lake City and west to San in the '80's, recommended Beckwourth Francisco and then selling it to the WESTERN Pass and the Feather River route. Re­ Goulds. membering also an unhappy experience Bartnett and Keddie incorporated the PACIFIC he had once had in locating another Stockton and Beckwith (sic) Pass road, only to find the whole route Railroad on December 1, 1902. Location plastered with mining claims of dubi­ was amazingly fast and simple. For ous mineral value but through which Keddie merely put some stooge "sur­ rights of way must be negotiated, he vey parties" out in the canyon and as advised Gould to form a "mining com­ they haphazardly staked out each ten pany" first. Accordingly the North miles of "line," he made a copy of the California Mining Company was or­ corresponding map Kennedy had filed ganized and soon nearly 600 placer in 1892 and, by registering these in claims were staked out, blanketing the the county seats, won an incontestable entire proposed route across the moun­ five-year franchise. tains. Walter Bartnett then journeyed to Gould turned the job over to the Denver and Rio Grande and its presi­ New York with Keddie's franchise in dent, E. T. Jeffery, sent a field party his pocket, convinced George Gould under H. H. Yard west to locate the that it could not be ignored. Bartnett line. It was all top secret. The transit and Gould signed an agreement on CHARLES ELSEY HARRY A. MITCHELL FREDERIC B. WHITMAN February 6, 1903, which provided for January 1, 1932 January I, 1949 July 1, 1949 men and stake artists were forbidden D ecember 31, 1948 July 1, 1949 MILEPOSTS 6 MAR C H, 1953 7 the formation of a new company to take which the Western Pacific engineers over the various corporations which had accepted from Keddie, he noted each had previously organized and to from the profiles that between Oroville build and equip the railroad. Less than and Beckwourth Pass there was only a month later and pursuant to this pact, a difference in elevation of 50 feet per the meeting in the Safe Deposit Build­ mile. This suggested to him the idea of ing was called to order. a uniform one per cent grade. Rapid investigation proved this fea­ THE WESTE RN PACIFIC IS BORN sible, and without climbing too high The Western Pacific Railway Com­ above the river. Elated, Bogue wired pany was thus organized on March 3, E. T. Jeffery and with equal enthusiasm 1903. Articles of Incorporation were the D&RG president answered that if filed with the County Clerk the same a one per cent grade railroad between day. But when Bartnett's clerk ap­ San Francisco and Utah could be lo­ peared next day at the Secretary of cated, money to build it was available State's office in Sacramento, the first regardless of the cost. of many roadblocks thrown up by the Shortly thereafter General G. M. Southern Pacific became apparent. For Dodge wrote to one of Bogue's associ­ the pioneer railroad between Sacra­ ates as follows: mento and Oakland, completed way back in 1869, had also been named "I am glad to see that you are Western Pacific and the S.P., which out there on the Western Pacific. That line is almost exactly the line No.1 of Bartnett's Alameda &; San Joaquin Railroad. Became the first locomotive to haul had taken it over, still claimed all ,·evenue trains on the Western Pacific when its letterhead read " opeTating between Stockton rights to the name. Bartnett threatened I run (sic) south of Salt Lake, and Tesla.u mandamus proceedings and the S.P. thence down the Humboldt, across withdrew its objections. The Western the Beckwourth Pass, and down Pacific Railway Company was there­ the Feather, but you have a better upon incorporated, on March 6, 1903. grade than I got. That is the line George Gould still remained com­ the Union Pacific would have built pletely out of the picture and denied if it had not been for the progress Settin.q up engines for Western Pacific at Salt Lake City in November, 1906. They would all connection with the project. Al­ of the Central Pacific east." have to do a lot of construction train service before they could start hauling revenue freight. though he financed the new surveying Rumors were still thick as to who parties that were immediately sent out was behind the Western Pacific. Some to make the final location, he was thought the Burlington interests. Others forced, in the interests of this secrecy, picked "Jim" Hill of the Great North­ to keep the Rio Grande engineers in ern or David Moffat, the Colorado the field as well. The absurd result was capitalist. Most felt positive that Gould two hostile groups struggling to outwit was behind the road despite his still each other and often on the point of positive denials. There was a story exchanging pot shots, though both were current that Harriman and Ripley (of actually on the same payroll. the Santa Fe) had together offered him Virgil Bogue was finally despatched two million plus all he had spent so far by Gould to choose the best of the to give up the project. It was not until routes surveyed. One night, as he sat the spring of 1905 that Gould publicly in his field tent pondering the old Ken­ announced his paternity of the Western nedy line with its grade of 1Y3 per cent Pacific and appointed President Jeffery 8 MILEPOSTS of the Rio Grande to head the new road this succession of events the Southern as well. Bartnett, who had been presi­ Pacific had maintained a stranglehold dent, became vice-president. on the Oakland waterfront for half a Contracts for constru ction were century, although the city had several signed late the same year, although the times attempted to invalidate the title. line was not completely located nor the Obviously the S.P. was fully confi­ rights of way all secured. The Southern dent that it would have but little diffi­ Pacific naturally interposed every pos­ culty in isolating the Western Pacific sible legal and physical obstacle, but from a practical outlet on the Bay. The although it possessed immense political Santa F e, only a few years before, had power and a formidable bag of tricks, built its ferry slip way up at Point the Western Pacific promoters usually Richmond rather than attempt to crack managed to come out on top. the S.P. stronghold. Bartnett, after a WAR ON THE WATERFRONT hard struggle against the older rail­ road's influence, did secure a small site The biggest row was that involving on the mudflats of the Oakland Estu­ the WP ferry terminal on San Fran­ ary. It would have made a miserably cisco Bay. A little historical background cramped ferry terminal but, from all is necessary here. Oakland was an un­ appearances, the WP promoters had named part of the Peralta rancho in concluded it was the best they could 1851, when lawyer Horace Carpentier do. Harriman's forces sneered and re­ and two associates made themselves at laxed. Gould's were just beginning. home on the oak-studded meadows Every move was carefully rehearsed around what is now lower Broadway and logistics figured to the last detail. and started selling lots. Don Vicente Peralta rode around with the sheriff As the Oakland tidelands had gradu­ ally been filled in, the Government had !fe,!"e1!},bered only as Dick and Andy,. these itqo dang emus lookimg ?nen we)'e part of the when his cattle began to disappear, but a1my. wh>ch held the Western Pactfic pOSttwns during the fight for an outlet on Sa1t extended the banks of San Antonio Franc'tsco Bay. Sawed-off shotgun8~ car?'1/nes and arnl1vu.nition ')'emained on. the storekeepers Carpentier glibly talked him into a l'tst jor yeo;TS. lease of the land on which he had Estuary with rock quays called "train­ ing walls" in order to prevent silt from squatted and then proceeded to in­ U. S. training wall and maintained told Gould would happen and exactly corporate it as the City of Oakland. washing into the Oakland inner harbor channel. A dredger was often necessary them night and day. Laborers snatched what they both desired. For the courts, His hand-picked trustees gladly "sold" . their sleep in shelter tents on the wave­ as Bartnett had felt sure they would, him the entire 10,000 acre waterfront to prevent the formation of a bar at the entrance of the channel. This dredger washed rocks and the W P commissary held that the Southern Pacific title to between high tide and the ship channel department fed them. Scows rushed the waterfronts had not progressed for five dollars plus two per cent of any became the Trojan horse of the Gould attack. more rails and ties across the Bay to westward with the shoreline as the wharfage fees he might collect. Car­ the end of the wall. Soon there was a tidelands and marshes had been filled On the night of January 5, 1906, the pentier then took office as mayor. mile of track on top of the rock wall. in, but was valid only to the low tide In 1868 when Central Pacific inter­ Western Pacific forces under Bartnett Of course the Southern Pacific did line of 1852. The S.P.'s "waterfront" ests sought a terminal on the Bay at struck. not quietly accept this outrageous tres­ therefore was by now well inland, and Oakland, Carpentier made a nice deal With 200 workmen and 30 guards passing on domains it had held undis­ the new marginal land surrounding it armed with carbines and sawed-off with its management. The Oakland puted for more than half a century. was the property of the city. Years Waterfront Company was incorporated shotguns, he used the dredging com­ Its legal department, fairly in convul­ later, when the first WP passenger for $5,000,000 by both parties. Carpen­ pany as a front, and seizing the north sions, was whipping out the necessary train reached Oakland, Mayor Frank training wall, began feverishly to lay tier became its President and conveyed papers for immediate appeal to the law. K. Mott in his speech of welcome said: "all the waterfront of the City of Oak­ a rough track. Most of the guards took This was exactly what Bartnett had "The advent of the Western Pa- land" to the new corporation. Through up positions at the shore end of the MARCH, 1953 11 10 MILEPOSTS M~gnitude of the Feather Rive?' flood of March, 1907, is shown by the construction photos of Br~dfJe No, 212.36, the M,ddle Fo,'" c"ossing 7'h miles east of Oroville, The upper shows the bndge pW"s baTely clearing the c"est; the lower was taken the following November, with the riveT at its normal flow. Construction of Willow C"eek viaduct, 1,005 feet long and 172 fe'et high. Below is a train on the Sierra Valleys narrow gauge railroad.

cific Railway is epochal. It is of path was handy to the route. Indeed peculiar interest to Oakland, for the surveyors had often hung sus­ this system's coming made it pos­ pended by cables over cliffs in order sible for Oakland to recover con­ to set their line stakes. So it was neces­ trol and possession of its magnifi­ sary first to blaze a trail and set up cent waterfront. This may well be small camps supplied by pack mules, placed first in the order of benefits then use these as bases for building which will accrue to the city, as a wagon road over which supplies and well as to the Bay region and the equipment for building the railroad entire state." could be hauled. It was slow, and often CONSTRUCTION WAS NOT EASY dangerous. Construction camps had been estab­ At Cromberg it was necessary to lished by the contractors at points all cross the swirling river on a jittery along the line under supervision of rope bridge and here eleven men were Company division engineers. Some lost working on the cliffs or trying to were accessible by rail and most of the cross the stream. They were tough others by wagon road. But, for much men too, mostly lumberjacks and hard­ of the distance through the rugged rock miners. Where Grizzly Creek Feather River Canyon, not even a foot drops into the Feather, the field parties

MARCH, 1953 13 Vice-President and Ohief Engineer V i rgil G. Bogue ( extreme left) inspects newly laid track near Portland in 1908. Both the wood-burning locomotiv e and the contbination c<,!ach first saw sEn'vice on the historic Virginia & 'llruckee Railway and, ZateT, on Western Pac~fic ) 8 sub­ End of track at Berr y Oreek on May 17, 1908. sidiary, the Boca ((; Loyalton Railroad. The other ~ten (le ft to ?"tght) are B?{J.u!3's 8ecr~tary~ F' G Van Det/,sen ' B&L Super'intendent W . S. Lew~8 .; J. Q. Jarneson, WP d~ V18'j,on engineer., . . , and George llfattis, resident engineer at Portola. were forced to resort to rafts in order that all his assistants had positive in­ to by-pass the sheer granite cliffs. Over structions on this point and wouldn't the North and Middle Forks, Chilcoot It was in March, 1907, when one of at the Utah end crossing the salt beds think of taking S.P. men. A few days at Beckwourth Pass, and at Niles the worst storms in the history of was a nightmare due to excessive tem­ later a Greek labor agent reported that Canyon not far east of Oakland, ran California struck and the resulting perature extremes and the killing glare the next batch of track men he would into unexpected delays and costs. floods completely tied up construction. which often blinded men after a few deliver would have to wait until they Original plans had called for Western Little damage was done to the hal£­ hours work. could get their time checks from the Pacific to be ready for business by fmished Western Pacific - in fact the It was difficult to hold men under S.P.! Drunkenness was a problem too, September 1, 1908, and when it became storm effectively demonstrated the such conditions while more pleasant one which Bogue finally solved by more and more evident that this date wisdom of its location and Bogue wrote work was plentiful and turnover was buying up all the saloon licenses handy could not b e met, President Jeffery Jeffery that if they had been building terrific. Bogue actually had detectives to the job. felt mounting concern. the 1 Y:l per cen t grade originally chosen, infiltrated through some of the gangs After the depression of 1907 set in "It is really a very serious situation their prospects would have been grim. under the suspicion that some outside there were plenty of men avai1able~ to contemplate," he wrote Bogue in But it was impossible to deliver ma­ agency must be stirring up trouble and and at lower wages. Had it not been January, 1907, "and the key is the terials to the job. Flood conditions were inducing the men to quit, but no evi­ for this unexpected break all of the completion of the long tunnels. The so bad that S.P. trains from Sacramento dence of this was ever found. On the contractors would probably have gone rest of the road we can build and get to Oakland were operating by way of other hand the S.P. superintendent at bankrupt, since the work proved con­ in running order, and we can have our Fresno. With these and other delays it Ogden wrote plaintively that the West­ siderably more costly than they had terminal facilities at San Francisco and was not surprising for Jeffery to write, ern Pacific was stealing all his track figured. Oakland and our floating plant in San "I long for the day when we can have the railroad in operation and I can see men and that it wasn't very neighborly. In particular, the long tunnels at Francisco Bay all ready by or before the fruition of my hopes and plans T. J . Wyche, the WP engineer, replied Spring Garden between the canyons of September 1 (1908)." 14 M AR C I-I, 15 MILEPOSTS 1953 ~ '"THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY. 24,000 OFFICES IN AMERICA. ~' ~CABLE~, SERV I CE TO ALL THE WORLD.

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Mr. S~.:'j.ll .. c{.,l o;tt,b"r .. t Roc ... t)i" R";10, t ()~or r() 1V . Al'II mYI;l!:lf I' ''' ' I of the bond ot s teel by which the Western Pacific this afternoon l Le "v $;w wnu,ciccQ , '1 ;' 4 ~ ~ ga .... to California 8 greet transcontinental r ailroad. A W Keddie

since 1892. Sixteen years is a long 834 p.m.

time to contemplate, lay plans for and .wO'ifEY TRANSF'ERRED B Y T E LECRAPH. patiently work toward the accomplish­ ment of an enterprise; but this is what Driving of the Last Spike on Novembm' 1 1909, at Spanish Cree k bridge. Leonardo 1'0: I have endured to date, and must m.as8o, the track formnan, 'who po'unded it in, endure for fifteen or sixteen months went back forty years later and d"ove a Ruby A,·thur W. K eddie's Spike at the same spot in honor oj the occa­ more." sion. B elow are the cerem.onies attendant on hour of triumph. this {(Ruby Jubilee.' ) But the rail laying which had started Speaking from the with the driving of the first spike at st eps of the Plumas 3rd and Union streets in Oakland on County Coul·thouse at Quincy on the oc­ January 2, 1906, proceeded eventually casion of the First to the driving of the last. On November Through Passenger 1, 1909, the track gangs from east and Train, August 2 1 , west met on the steel bridge across 1910. Spanish Creek near K eddie and fore­ man Leonardo di Tomasso drove the final spike. In contrast to the gold spike ceremonies on the first overland rail­ way just forty years before, no deco­ gines Jeffery favored were the D&RG 113 class: "To place these locomotives rated engines met head to head before Class 106, a ten-wheel passaenger loco­ on the road, hauling trains in competi­ a cheering crowd; no magnums of motive with a tractive effort of 18,000 tion with the Southern Pacific, would champagne were broached. The only pounds, and Class 113 for freight, a probably prove to be a mistake." spectators were a pair of local women consolidation with 25,000 pounds trac­ J effery was convinced and compara­ and their little girls. tive effort. ble motive power was ordered: 65 consolidation freight engines with 43,- ENGINES AND TERMINALS Bogue at first appeared to fall in with Jeffery's ideas, but raised one 300 pounds tractive effort, 35 ten -wheel Surprisingly enough, President J ef­ doubt after another as to the wisdom passenger locomotives with a tractive fery had first favored equipping the of ordering these little old-fashioned effort of 29,100 pounds and 12 switch­ Western Pacific with small locomotives engines. Finally he secured blue prints ers. The first twenty freight engines of the vintage of 1888. These had given of the motive power used by the South­ were built by Baldwin, the rest by the good service on the Rio Grande and ern Pacific on the Ogden Route and American Locomotive Company. They were more economical than the heavier sent them on to Jeffery in New York were a lot bigger than the 1888 models engines it had since acquired. The en- with his final comment on the 106 and although they would appear tiny in 16 17 MILEPOSTS MARCH, 1953 The " Old R eliable8" of WP.The road began opemt-ion8 with 65 of the f reig ht consolidati on8, rails for work on a missing link, the above, 35 oj the t en-wheel passenger engin es ( opposite page), and 12 8witchers. For 'many dollar gold pieces and a five in his pay years they w ere lJractically t he 801e 1notiv e power and even n ow, a few of the consolidations Wabash Pittsburgh Terminal, was are available for 8erv i ce. No. 94, which pulled the ji1'8t pa88en ger train t hrough the F eather envelope; the stenographers $60 or River Canyon, is preserved jor l/,istorical pur poses. even $75 if they were extra competent. being rushed. The Western Pacific was now opera­ A DISCOURAGING START comparison with those which would tonnage for speed in order to avoid tive but far from finished. From San Through freight service on the WP follow while they were still in service. overtime, as well as failure to utilize Francisco to Salt Lake City it stretched was inaugurated on December 1, 1909. The work horses of the Western Pacific the 100 miles of nearly level track east 927 miles, 150 miles longer than the Prior to that there had been local for several decades, they were excel­ of Wendover for maximum tonnage. competitive route to Ogden ; but against freight service, largely between Salt lent machines. Bogue estimated annual savings of the latter's steep grades, sharp curves, Lake City and Shafter for the Nevada Yards and terminals for the new $100,000 by picking Wendover against and heavy snows at a 7,017-foot eleva­ Northern connection to the flourishing railroad had been most carefully de­ Shafter. tion, the new railroad had maintained mines of Ely. Traffic was disappoint­ signed. Traffic estimates had been pre­ Each division point had been made Bogue's one per cent compensated ingly slim. The daily lading wires to pared from local statistics, S.P. annual the subject of a similar careful study grade with a maximum curvature of Jeffery were disheartening. During reports, etc., and diagrams prepared of as to location and design. At Oroville, 100 and crossed the Sierra at 5,003- three days in December, for example, expected east and westbound tonnage the old gold workings governed the fo ot elevation. On the basis of "adjusted 28,140 pounds of merchandise and one of various classes. Train mile costs layout and at Portola mountains and mileage" in terms of operating costs, it car of lumber for Oakland was the were estimated, on the basis of 1,000- river were important factors. Winne­ was rated shorter than the other road. total business received at San Fran­ ton 30-car trains without helper serv­ mucca was the dividing terminal be­ Throughout the line there were 41 cisco nothing whatever at Oakland, ice, at $2.25 on the 1 per cent grade as tween coal and oil burning engines steel bridges and 44 tunnels. Every­ and 'similar results at other points. against 1500 - ton 45 - car trai:(ls with and here the Humboldt River in­ thing had been designed and built Then came a small windfall, a solid helpers at $3.58 plus 36 cents a mile to fluenced its site. Oakland, in particular, according to the best contemporary fifty-car trainload of wire and nails return light engines. had required painstaking analysis as standards but there was much need for from the American Steel and Wire On the basis of such studies Wend­ the engine terminal property was con­ further ballasting and other finishing Company at Joliet, Illinois, reached over had been selected as the first sub­ stricted and lay between two S.P. touches. Salt Lake City on December 25 and division point west of Salt Lake City grade crossings. Bogue and his assist­ F urthermore, the W estern Pacific brought Christmas cheer to all con­ although it was without water. Shafter, ants had done their work well. was an integral part of a 13,708-mile nected with the new railway as it rolled 40 miles further east, had plenty of Rates of pay at the opening shed nationwide railway system that now west on WP rails. water, better living conditions and was light on the passage of time. Locomo­ reached from San Francisco to Balti­ The cheerful mood did not last long. an interchange point with the Nevada tive engineers drew $4.25 per ten-hour more, with the exception of a short gap During the latter part of February, Northern. However, Wendover sat at day; firemen, $2.75. Conductors were between Wheeling, West Virginia, and 1910 Old Man Winter hit California the foot of 33 miles of 1 per cent grade paid by the month, $125 and no over­ Connellsville, Pennsylvania. It looked hard. Except for the Southern Pacific and the selection of Shafter as a sub­ time. Brakemen got $86.25. In the office, as if George Gould would be successful route through Arizona the entire Pa- division point would have sacrificed a chief clerk found eleven twenty- with his dream of owning coast to coast (Continued on Page 45 ) 19 18 M I LEP OSTS MARCH, 1953

------~ -- - - WP SIGNS UNION SHOP AGREEMENT

On February 5, 1953, the Western N ational Organization Masters, Pacific Railroad and the Employees' Mates and Pilots of America. National Conference Committee, rep­ National Marine Engineers Benefi­ resenting seventeen Cooperating Rail­ cial Association. way Labor Organizations, signed a Hotel and Restaurant Employees and union shop agreement, to become ef­ Bartenders International Union. fective March 1, 1953. American Train Dispatchers Associ­ Although seventeen labor organ­ ation. izations were represented by the Railroad Yardmasters of America. Employees' National Conference Com­ The agreements provide that all em­ mittee, only sixteen were included in ployees subject to them must become the agreements signed by Western P a­ union m embers within 60 days from cific, the International Longshoremen's March 1, 1953. Association having no representation On October U, 1909, just a few days before the dr'ivi ng of the Last Spike, President E. T . on this railroad. J efJery Tan a complimentary excu1'sion out of Salt Lake City for legislative and other Utah Th e sixteen labor organizations WP WILL REMEMBER ... bigwi gs. Shown above is Mayor Bransford of Salt Lake City congratulating WP on a fine represented are: new 1~ai11'oad" a fine tra:n" and a fine lunch in the diner, 1vhich, inoidentally" 1nade a trip oj "When a man devotes his life to an industry, he 1,800 m'iles to serve that one 'Inea l. International Association of M a ­ has truly paid that industry the greatest compli­ chinists. ment possible." International Brotherhood of Boiler­ Now retired after serving Western makers, Iron Ship Builders and Help­ Pacific well, are: Train on the Nevada and California Rail road at R eno, Nevada. This narrow gauge line was ers of America. Edward Basl, laborer, Extra Gang 35. purchased, standard-gauged, and pa."fly relocated to become W es tern Pacific's Reno Branch. International Brotherhood of Black­ John A. Dineen, master mechanic, smiths, Drop Forgers and Helpers. Stockton. Sheet Metal Workers' International Ha7'ry J. Flynn, assistant signal engi­ Association. neer, San Francisco. International Brotherhood of Elec­ Henry P. Leona7'd, carman helper, trical Workers. Oroville. Brotherhood Railway Carmen of Sam Natchuras, track laborer, Oro­ America. ville. Hans M. Teichman, assistant chief International Brotherhood of Fire­ clerk, Elko. men and Oilers, H elpers, Roundhouse Rudolph R. Wiese, track laborer, and Railway Shop Laborers. Extra Gang 44. Brotherhood of Railway and Steam­ ship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express Month after month, the department store had sent and Station Employees. its bill to Smathers, but without any results at all. Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Finally, the credit manager wrote him a strongly­ worded letter which left no doubt as to the store's Employees. feelings in the matter. A few days later, the man­ ager received this reply: The Order of Railroad Telegraphers. "Dear Sir : Once a month I put all my bills on Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen the table, pick five at random and pay them.. If you send me any more reminders like the last one, you of America. won't get a place in next month's shuffle '"

20 MILEPOSTS MARCH , 19 53 21 PROMOTIONS AND TRANSFERS T. P. Wadsworth is appointed assist­ High School student, have both par­ ant freight traffic manager, effective ticipated in many figure skating shows, (This is the eighth of a series of articles about representatives of the various railroad labor organ­ February 1. and during the month of February izations serving Western Pacific employees. Per­ Wadsworth was born in Sutter, Cali­ competed in competition at Sacra­ sonalities of other representatives will appear in future issues of MILEPOSTS.) fornia, on July 5, 1899. He came to mento. Both hope to compete in the Western Pacific as a rate clerk in 1929 State Championships at Berkeley • • with a Strathcona Fellowship in trans­ early this month. Ray W. Rich, general chairman for portation economics from Yale Univer- Tux has been a member of Masonic the Railroad Yardmasters of America, and president of the California District Council for that organization, was born on a farm near Reamsville, Kansas, on April 29, 1898. The family moved to Weeping Water, Nebraska, the follow­ ing year where Ray attended grade and high school. Railroading, for Ray, began in 1912, when he worked before and after school as a clerk in the agent's office for the Missouri Pacific. He went to switching in 1916, and upon later mov­ ing to Lincoln, Nebraska, hired out as a brakeman for the Chicago, Burling­ Ray W . Rich T. P . Wadsworth L. B. Larson D . H . Copenhagen ton and Quincy. sity and a certificate of graduation from Lodge No. 265, Orland, since 1922 and When his family moved to La Junta, the University of California. He is at at present makes his home in Berkeley. Colorado, in 1917, Rich returned to Ray was married to the former Grace Moore in La Junta, Colorado, in 1920, present a dean of the school of traffic * * * switching, this time for the Santa Fe. of Golden Gate College in San Fran­ L. B. Larson succeeds Wadsworth as He was promoted to yardmaster in and they are the parents of one daugh­ cisco, where he has been associated for assistant general freight agent, effec­ 1919 and held that position until he ter, Maxine McNabb, and the grand­ the past fifteen years, during which tive February 1, after having served as moved to Richmond, California, in parents of Sharon Ann and Janice, who live in Sacramento. time many Western Pacific employees office manager for the freight traffic 1923, once again switching Santa Fe have received schooling in traffic under department since June 1, 1952. cars. He admits to hunting, fishing and his guidance. * * * A year later Ray entered the auto­ bowling as his hobbies, and claims to Tux progressed through various jobs David H. Copenhagen succeeds Lar­ mobile business but returned to switch­ be an enthusiastic baseball, boxing and in the traffic department, becoming son as office manager in the freight ing in 1929, this time for the Western wrestling fan. He is also known to assistant general freight agent in 1940, traffic department, effective February Pacific. He was made yardmaster in always be ready with a joke or two which position he held at the time of 1, having been promoted from the 1941 and at the present time holds that whenever the occasion arises, and his present appointment. position as chief of the rate bureau, a title at Oakland. anyone interested in raising flowers position to which he was appointed Ray was elected general chairman can pick up a tip or two on ways to With little time for hobbies other for the Railroad Yardmasters of June 1, 1952. * * * acquire a green thumb. than his teaching, his proudest mo­ America in 1943, was made vice-presi­ ments are when watching his two Biographies of Larson and Copen­ dent in 1944, and has held both official Ray is a member of Alcatraz Lodge daughters perform on the ice rink. hagen appeared respectively in the positions to the present date, in addi­ No. 244, F. & A. M., and the Oakland Nancy, 18, a student at the University June, 1952, and September, 1952, issues tion to the presidency of the California Pyramid Lodge No.2, Order of Sciots, of California, and Diane, 14, a Berkeley of MILEPOSTS. District Council, R.Y.A. Oakland.

22 MILEPOSTS MA RCH, 1953 23 Don't Be HALF Sole! By PAUL H . JENNER

Western Pacific over the past years as they exist today ... new and modern On behalf of the entire Western Dale Wightman, general bookkeeper, has made every effort to build up a machinery, locomotives, buildings, Pacific, Sacramento Northern and died on December 11, 1952. Mr. Wight­ safety program which would make it safety devices and traffic control sys­ Tidewater Southern family, MILEPOSTS man last worked for the company on a better and safer place to work. Even tem. To further educate all, through extends sincerest sympathy to the loved June 30, 1948. in the beginning the railroad was safety the years the program has been set up ones of the following employees and Thomas E. Wilcox, agent-telegra­ minded. This is evidenced by the first to include the use of films, posters, annuitants whose death has been re­ pher, died on September 18, 1952. Mr. rule in the Book of Rules-"Safety is pamphlets, slogans, safety talks and ported: Wilcox entered WP service on June of the first importance in the discharge safety meetings. Muncey M. Evans, machinist helper, 30, 1927, and last worked for the com­ of duty." Accidents have no respect for age, died on December 5, 1952. Mr. Evans pany on June 22, 1938. Some of the old- timers can remem­ race, color or creed. Safety is some­ entered Western Pacific service in bel' ... standing in the middle of the thing that must be perpetual and re­ February, 1943, and last worked for the track to board the foot-board of an quires the teamwork and cooperation company on September 24, 1947. Answer to "Who's Who?" Matteo V. Fidanzo, Alameda Belt approaching engine . . . the old oil of all of us today, tomorrow, next year Carter's remark shows Smith and Line car inspector, died on January 7, headlights, lighting the way down the and in the years to come. Brown to be members of the engine 1953. Mr. Fidanzo entered company Feather River Canyon . .. the old K - 1 crew. Brown lives several blocks from service in November, 1943. He is sur­ triple valves and excessive brake pipe the engineer, so Brown is fireman, Who's Who? vived by his son, Anthony Fidanzo, of leakage ... the old wooden underframe Smith is engineer. The engineer's re­ Chicago. cars and hand brakes. . . . Once there was a train crew com­ mark shows Jones isn't the conductor Quite a comparison to the operations posed of Anderson, Smith, Brown, Car­ Gustav R . Garcia, roadmaster's clerk, and Carter lives several blocks from ter and Jones. One day Smith said died on January 21, 1953. MI'. Garcia the conductor, so Anderson is the to Brown, "Jones doesn't flag deep began service with the company in conductor, and Jones and Carter are enough. The conductor ought to jack May, 1945. He is survived by his widow, brakemen. him up." Carter said, "What do either Mrs. Catherine Garcia, of Oakland. Logical, isn't it? Just as logical as of you two know about flagging?" The Jose N. Moran, brakeman, died on following the simple principles of acci­ conductor lived next door to the engi­ January 10, 1953. Mr. Moran entered dent prevention in your work and off neer, while Brown and Carter lived company service in November, 1942. the job. several blocks away. Walter L. Osbome, Alameda Belt Who were the engineer, fireman, Line switchman, died on January 26, Puffing and b lowing~ the sailor just 1nan­ aged to jump o»to the train as it l ett the sta­ conductor and the two brakemen? 1953. Mr. Osborne entered company tion. A 1niddle-aged 1nan, passing through the service in June, 1945. He is survived cars eyed hi1n with scorn. Answer on Page 25. tf When I was your age~ my Zud,J) he said~ by his widow, Mrs. Martha J. Osborne, ((I could 1'1(,11, a half niile~ catch a train, by the THE SEVEN STAGES OF MAN skin of my teeth, and yet be' as f resh as a of Alameda. dai8Y·~~ I. Milk. ((Could be/,' gasped the young fellow ~ {(but 2. Milk, Vegetables. Francisco Perez, section laborer, died I m,issed tlllis Q,ne at the last station.') 3. Milk, ice cream sodas, candy. on December 16, 1952. Mr. Perez joined 4. Steak, coke, French fries, ham and eggs. Western Pacific on August 4, 1941. He Coroner: "And what were your husband's last 5. Frog's legs, caviar, crepe suzettes, Scotch and leaves a widow, Mrs. Antonia M. Perez, words?" . champagne. New Widow : "He said, 'I don't see how they 6. Milk and crackers. of Milpitas, California. make a profit out of this stuff at a dollar and a quarter a quart.' H 7. Milk. Ruel K. Smith, Tidewater Southern agent at Turlock, died on January 9, {(J.lfy wife and I used to have fun at t he Visiting Nurse: "Did you drink three pitchers 1953. Mr. Smith retired from the com­ beach. First~ she would bury 'file in the sand, of water and stay in bed like I told you?" then I wo'U,Zd bury her. One of these days Pm Patient: "I drank the water." pany on April 10, 1945. going down and dig her up. n ~

2+ MI LEPOSTS MA R CH, 1953 25 Nevada, also a CAP pilot, was al~o of its employees, like Roadmaster Mil­ called out. ler and Foreman Nusse, m'e always Jay flew only one day and made two ready to lend a helping hand in such missions of two hours each. I was up humanitarian endeavors. for two days for a total of nearly fifteen hours in aircraft commandeered * * * by the Air Force for that purpose. This Sir: left my own airplane to be flown by In regard to the inquiry in the Sep­ Sir: ductor S. R. Heath and Brakeman R. H. Miss Betty Verret, of Wendover, a tember issue as to what became of A few weeks ago I had occasion to Herbaugh. Much also can be said about rated CAP pilot, with my wife, Estelle, the eagles that formerly adorned the make a round trip to Salt Lake City, the train itself. It is certainly as com­ as observer. Out of approximately cornice of the Third and Washington and took advantage of your railroad's fortable as any coach I've ever ridden. five ships engaged in the search, they streets depot, Oakland. I had these re­ Trains 1 and 2, the Zephy?·ette. Besides I really believe you could advertise formed the only all- woman crew. moved as a safety measure during the the very attractive fare, the trip was this train much more, and thereby Both missing aircraft were located early 1940's. The exact date I do not made most enjoyable by the courtesy obtain much business now going to a when weather cleared on the second now recall. extended me by your train crews. competitive field. Thank you for an day. Unfortunately, however, all crew­ Due to the vibration of heavy freight enjoyable trip. men were found to have been instantly trains, these birds began shedding parts I would like to mention especially of themselves in the shape of fairly Gerald D. Graham killed in the crashes - the C-47 was Conductor Guy Parry and Brakeman gutted out by fire. large size concrete spalls. After sev­ 1100 Jackson Street S. C. Gudmundson, who by pointing rn this instance, certain knowledge eral complaints from the office force, San Francisco, California out the items of interest on the desolate of what had happened, together with I made a personal examination and Nevada plains and salt flat wastes of . . . the recovery of the bodies, was the end found the eagles in very badly shat­ Utah, did much to brighten my jour­ Sir: result of the search. On many other tered condition. As they weighed ney. The same can be said about my No doubt you read of the two aircraft such missions, injured men are af­ nearly 1,000 pounds each, and their return trip and the courtesy of Con- which were lost in the isolated desert forded medical aid which have saved condition was such that they were a and mountain area of Northeastern their lives. Each pilot engaged in such menace to passengers and pedestrians, Taken at Beowawe by Gerald Graham en route to Nevada during heavy snowstorms dur­ a search realizes what his help can they were removed. As far as I recall, Salt Lake City from San Francisco on the Zephyr­ ing December. One was an Air Force mean to the disabled airplane and also they now rest in peace in waters of ette, this picture shows, left to right : Yardmaster C-47 with six persons aboard, en route San Francisco Bay. Hamilton, Winnemucca ; Brakeman Gudmundson j that he may be the objective of the Engineer Harper; and Conductor Guy Parry. from ENT Air Force Base, Colorado next operation. H. M. Smitten Springs to Stead Air Force Base at Therefore, Foreman J. A. Nusse and Retired Bridge Engineer Reno. The other, a private aircraft, I wish to express our sincere thanks to 3367 St. Mary's Road occupied only by the pilot, was en the management, and especially to Su­ Lafayette, California route from Imlay, Nevada, to an air­ perintendent J. F. Lynch and Division We thank Col. Smitten for bringing strip at Spanish Ranch, north of Elko. Engineer C. E. Forseth, for approving us up to date on the disappearance of All Civil Air Patrol units in this our affiliation with the Civil Air Patrol. these once pmud eagles, which for section of Nevada and from western And I, speaking as Squadron Adjutant, many years kept watch over passing Utah were alerted for a search and Wells Squadron, CAP, wish to advise WP t?·ains. rescue mission at once. By the gen­ that in the event of a serious emer­ * * * erous consent of the WP division offices gency necessitating air transportation Sir: at Elko, I have flown for the Nevada of medicine, doctors or injured persons, The "Skating Vanities" is in town Wing, CAP, for nearly three years and, we have aircraft ready and waiting at and it turns out that Tex Burke, assist­ all times. of course, was ordered out on this ant to the producer, is both a model search mission. Further, a work train RoalldmNasterdC, J. Miller railroader and a railroad enthusiast. We s eva a was cancelled so that I might partici­ , :, . He was over to see me yesterday and pate. Section Foreman J . A. Nusse, Ola, WestemPacificisp?'oudthatsomany,}lwe got to talking about this and that 26 MILEPOSTS UA RCH, I953 27 of the various railroads he has ridden, get in touch with me as I am sure I We looked for him on our return trip MTs. Pullen was born in Indiana in and he ended up by making the un­ can be of considerable help. but didn't get to see him. Janua1·y, 1882. She was a member of qualified statement that the prettiest I was glad to note several promotions Mr. and Mrs. A. C. England the Royal Neighbors of America, Camp scenery on any railroad in the United of the boys on the Western Division. and daughter No. 2328. Our deepest sympathy is States is the Feather River Canyon My congratulations to all of them. 7734 Rhodes Avenue extended Mr. Pullen, his two sons, along the Western Pacific. Harry W . Gibson Chicago, Illinois George I. and Ralph, a daughte1·, Mrs. He further stated that he had proof 1203 Fourth Avenue Arthur Dowdin and a gmndson, AT­ We're glad these folks enjoyed thei7· of this compliment-he said that the Salt Lake City, Utah thur L. Dowdin, Jr. trip aboard the Zephyrette, and thank Feather River Canyon had been given the supreme praise in that while the * * * them for writing as they did. * * * Sir: Sir: "Skating Vanities" cast was riding the * * * CalifoTnia Zephyr down Feather River I read with a great deal of interest I just wanted to prove to you I wasn't the article which appeared in the Sep­ Sir: foolin' when I said I was ranching. This Canyon one of the men in the cast As I cannot meet each and everyone tember issue about the "Old- Timers is my youngest steer, sixteen months stopped shooting craps on the floor to of my friends to thank them personally Club." This is a wonderful idea even old, which should be good prime beef stand up and look at the scenery! for their token of friendship extended though I wouldn't be eligible for mem­ in about eight months. Best regards to I thought you might get a kick out to me on my retirement, I would like b ership with only twelve years service all the bunch. of this yarn. to extend my thanks to all through with the good old WP. Ed Gallagher MILEPOSTS. A. C. Kalmbach, President Each issue of MILEPOSTS brings back 765 Grand View Road Benjamin R. Huff Kalmbach Publishing Company many a pleasant memory of bygone Sebastopol, California 3032 Millsbrae Avenue Milwaukee, Wisconsin days and it is really a treat to r ead Oakland, California We ag1·ee that om· Feather Rive1· about the activities of past associates. scene1·y has now withstood the acid Keep up the good work. * * -x- test. When a trouper not only calls a R. S. Schmitt Sir: halt in a crap game but takes the General Traffic Manager Will you please express my thanks tTouble to stand up as well, our only Purex Corporation, Ltd. in MILEPOSTS to all those participating conclusion is that we have not been 9300 Rayo Avenue in my retirement luncheon and for the bmgging about the Canyon enough! South Gate, California wonderful present presented to me. Al Rowland Frank Rauwolf, committee chai1·­ " * * 3126 61st Avenue man, 1·eports considerable inteTest in Oakland Sir: the "Old-Timers" Club and pLans are The "Old-Timers" article in the Sep­ now being progressed to get the club * * * tember issue was read with very much in operation ea1·ly in 1953. Meanwhile, Sir: interest. As I have for some time felt Frank would like to hear from more My wife, Bessie C. Pullen, died in that it would be possible to organize oLd-timers fOT any suggestions they Sacramento December 7. Will you and support an "Old-Timers Club" for might have ,·egarding fOTmation of the please show a notice in MILEPOSTS so the retired and those employees who club. my railroad friends will know, and That's Ed on the left! have twenty or more years of service. * * * oblige. We were married 51 years last There are several "Old-Timers" on Sir: June 19. The Reverend, making his round of calls on Sun~ this end of the railroad who I am sure We are sending you a picture which I am wearing a 30-year Western day afternoon, stopped at the home of one of his would be very much interested in such we took while riding to Oakland on Pacific service pin, my exact service parishioners. "Paw ain't home," said the child who opened the a club. If there is anything I can do to the Zephyrette. We especially wish to being 31 years 1 month. door. "He went over to the golf club." promote such a club you can most thank Conductor Parry for the kind George A. Pullen, The preacher's brow darkened. surely count on my help. Will appreci­ and courteous treatment in pointing 2917 "0" Street "Oh, he ain't playin' golf-not on Sunday, he ain't !" Junior hastened to explain. "He just went ate it very much if the committee will out places of interest along the line. Sacramento, California over for a few highballs and a little stud poker."

28 MILEPOSTS MA RCH, 1953 29 able to get around at home. Fireman with his family, whom he hasn't seen RAE GRUMMIT was also injured in an in FIFTY years! We know he'll have a auto accident and was confined to the wonderful time. hospital for several weeks. At this writing, Car Foreman ED Congratulations to Brakeman and EAGER is still in Sutter Hospital after eaboosing Mrs. MEL STRANG, proud parents of a having undergone major surgery. We lovely baby girl born January 16. Mel­ all send our best wishes, Ed. vina Rae weighed six pounds and eight Blacksmith CLIFF BENNETT played ounces and promises to be lively com­ the "star" role in a "sea rescue" while CHICAGO and KEN STONEY, hired as a clerk in pany for sister, Patricia. doing a little fishing in the Stockton Jim Baker 1930, and is now assistant general Recent visitors in Keddie were Con­ Deep Water Channel. He rescued a party whose boat had a broken crank­ The Chicago office, nucleus of West­ freight agent at San Francisco. ductor C. A. LOCKWOOD and his wife shaft; and said he never saw such ern Pacific's Eastern agencies, opened Marie and George recall that in from Portola, and JOHN McNALLY, as­ in small quarters in the Bankers Build­ those days communications were much sistant superintendent, and his son. happy people in all his life. Darkness was soon to fall and guess they didn't ing on October 21, 1927, a tiny section slower - airmail being in its infancy, Trainmaster LEE MICHELSON has been noticed driving around in a new car exactly relish spending a long night on of our present space. Personnel con­ paychecks were scheduled to arrive on lately- very pretty, too. a helplessly drifting boat. sisted of only four persons: JOHN J. the 9th and 23rd of each month, with The boys in the apprentice school GROGAN, assistant traffic manager; TOM the result that beans and barleycorn TI DEWATER SOUTHERN really surprised "Teacher" HERB GIL­ J. CLARK, traffic representative; (both graced the table for several days be­ Dora Monroe LESPIE when they presented Herb with deceased); FRANK J . CONRAD, chief fore, and sometimes after, those dates. Brakeman CARL BALES paid a recent a pen and pencil set upon his appoint­ clerk and now general freight traffic visit to the Tidewater office in Modesto. ment as acting sheet metal foreman. manager for Great Northern; and KEDDIE E1sie Hagen He is convalescing after a lengthy ill­ Sheet Metal W orker HERMAN SCHULTZE, MARIE LIBBE, secretary. Welcome to two more young engi­ ness and operation, and we are glad to who is now on his annual cruise with According to Mrs. Libbe it was quite neers added to our list. R. L. HOLT and see him up and about. the Sea Bee Reserve, will take over a scramble. Steeplejacks were busy WILLIAM OTIS, both having completed Also dropping in for a short visit Herb's desk on his return. completing construction of the build­ their examinations in February. recently was Conductor HARRY ALLEN, Blacksmith Apprentice DON FITKIN ing, and a couple of borr owed desks Engineer R. L. SMALL and his wife who is still recovering from injuries received a trophy as second prize win­ and a typewriter completed the office. left for Stockton where they plan to received in an auto accident some ner in the Torquer Club (Hot Rods) . With an increase in personnel to thir­ join the caravan going to the Mardi weeks ago. A fourth son and fifth child arrived teen in April, 1928, Room 1300 was Gras in New Orleans; Conductor E. E. Conductor BILL DAWSON'S four­ at the home of Blacksmith Helper and enlarged and Western Pacific really REDDICK and Brakeman A. G. DUNCAN year -old granddaughter succumbed to Mrs. HENRY BLASE. And FAY TOMLIN­ began to tick in Chicago. A commercial spent ten days visiting with relatives leukemia. Our sincere sympathy is SON, write-up man, came in to an­ agency was opened at Milwaukee with and friends in Los Angeles, and Brake­ extended to the family in their be­ nounce he has again become a grand­ two employees reporting to the Chicago men SCISM and GRIFFIN enjoyed early reavement. father! - that is, for the TWELFTH agency. vacations in February. We were recently informed of the TIME! Of those employed at the time only Train Desk Clerk Cy BATES and his death of retired Turlock Agent RUHL NICK ANATER, sheet metal worker, two have remained with the Company. family are now living in Quincy, having K. SMITH, who retired in 1945 after 28 has returned to his old trade after JOHN NOLAN, then city passenger agent moved there just recently. years of Tidewater Southern service. leaving the shops in 1943. Welcome and now assistant to vice-president, Our sympathy is extended to Con­ back, Nick! traffic, and Marie Libbe, secretary to ductor CLAUDE STRAHAN, whose father SACRAMENTO SHOPS the assistant traffic manager, A. H. passed away a short time ago. Marcella Kahl MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT LUND. However, the story wouldn't Engineer JACK SHANNON escaped Spring will soon be here-and then Norma Joseph be complete without including GEORGE wi th minor injuries when his car slipped Laborer HANS UTHAUG'S long-awaited Best wishes for a happy birthday to WENIG, who was hired in 1929 as ste­ over the bank on the road into· Keddie. plans will come true. Hans is returning R. C. MORRIS, supervisor of reclama­ nographer and is now general agent, After a week in the hospital he is now to Norway for a three month's visit tion! 30 MILEPOSTS MA RC H, 1953 31 KELLEHER, RAY WITHROW, ELSIE GON­ Birthday Greetings to: don't need an overcoat when coming ZALES, IRENE BURTON, NORENE JOHNSON, W. R. ANDERSON, SN chief clerk, to California. MARY McKINNON, MARCELLA KAHL, March 2. Los Angeles office new steno, ANN OSDOBA (a smart gal who transferred MARIAN SELDERS , and LEE WILLIS. M. E. GRAHAM, assistant chief clerk, March 12. from San Francisco) is now completely SACRAMENTO sold on the City of Angels. She is now J. A. ANDERSON, discharge check Clarisse Doherty a member in good standing with the clerk, March 16. So far weather predictions in this L.A. Chamber of Commerce and says column has been all "wet." So, this J. E. TAYLOR, ICC Clerk, March 16. she now realizes she wasn't living until time, let's predict weather, whether 01' LAVERNE WILLIAMS, file clerk, March she came to Sunny Southern California. not! 25. ED MILLFELT says he is anxiously Our Division Office building (halls W. D . KLABO, assistant "engineer, awaiting another session of PROFESSOR For many years Ralph Kendall, Dean of Vocational March 25. NOLAN'S charm school. Personally, we Art and Superintendent of Vocational Education at only) is already decked out in its Sacramento Junior College, located within one­ new spring outfit. Paint Gang Foreman Thought for the Day: "It's an ill wind can't think of anyone who needs it quarter mile from the Sacramento Shops, has been active and instrumental in furthering adult educa­ JOHN L. RAINER and his crew were here that blows nobody some good." more. tion of apprentices and others working for Western Pacific. When he desired to obtain a small steam a few weeks ago, paint and paint generator retired from a W P diesel freight loco­ brushes in hand, redoing the ceilings motive for use in his vocational work, Shop Super­ LOS ANGELES intendent D. R. Sarbach arranged to have onc in cream and the walls in tropic green. Frank Sell cleaned and provided with necessary parts. Presen­ tation was made by E. E. Gleason, chief mechanical Suggested theme songs for some of Most of the Los Angeles office turned officer, shown above with Richard E. Stockwell, in­ our personnel should they ever reach structor of engineerin~, Sacramento Junior College, out on January 16 to attend a dinner and Dean Kendall. Attached to the generator was Broadway: a small plaque readin~: "This steam generator do­ dance held at the Altadena Town and nated to Sacramento Junior College by the Western "My Blue Heaven" - No. 1 on the Country Club to see their co- worker Pacific Railroad, December, 1952." Photo by Hy O'Rullian. IRWIN'S Hit Parade. Chief Clerk Dan BILL COOK installed as President of the has been humming "just Annie and me, Citrus Belt Traffic Club. Bill was for­ The CUNHA'S "dood" it again. Their and baby (Cheryl Anne, borne Feb­ merly second vice-president of this third son, Tommy, was born January ruary 1, six pounds 11 ounces) makes organization and to make sure his in­ 16. Congratulations, Bob! three." stallation as president would be an FLASH! Special News Item ... latest "Give Me Five Minutes More"­ outstanding affair - he had charge of scoop on Personnel Record Clerk tapped out daily by PBX-Typist MA­ all the arrangements for the party. "Wonder if he'll ever get a new caboose with that JAMES (RONALD) QUICK, better known RIAN SELDERS on vel' very busy job. According to those in attendance the approach?" as "Casanova." Since Jim has changed "The Turntable Song" - says "the party was a great success. his residence to a home equipped with music goes 'round and 'round and never Among the visitors to this outstand­ WENDOVER swimming pool, your correspondent stops." But CHARLIE HARPER, assistant ing territory this month were CHUCK Shirley Lee has been advised that all girls are file clerk, sings it this way: "the mail FAYE, R. L. GOHMERT, FRANK STEEL, Several new faces around lately we'd welcome to come take a dip at any goes 'round and 'round and oh, how I KE N STONEY, from San Francisco, and like to bid welcome to. M. L. KIZER, time! Too bad, fellas, gals only! wish it would stop." JIM WARREN and his wife from Chicago. new assistant roadmaster; R. J. MOUN­ An be gorra there will be plenty "K-K-K-Katie" is a catchy tune, but Los Angeles turned on its brightest KES, new 4th sub-division roadmaster; wearin' 0' the green at the Second An­ she didn't catch GORDON SWITZER, as­ sunshine for this group attending the F. P. MOORE and L. E. HUNBLE , new nual Western Division Spring Dance sistant division engineer, when he was United Fresh Fruit and V egetable switchmen, Wendover yard; and MARY March 14. We know a good time will be on the Tunnel 9 job recently. Convention at the Statler Hotel, with FITZGERALD, snack bar, WP Hotel. had by all, with special thanks due Hy "There'll Be a Hot Time in the Old temperatures in the eighties! Jim War­ Our sincere sympathy to Telegrapher O'RULLIAN and his hard-working com­ Town Tonight" you can bet, if Assistant ren came into the office in his shirt FRANCES DORSEY and her daughter in mittee members A. E. MADDAN, C. C. Accountant MILDRED WINGATE'S oven sleeves one day wiping his brow-so the loss of Frances' father who passed BENNETT, W. MILLER , D. J. IRWIN, J. R. dares burn her again while she is we think he is now convinced (along away early in January in Houston, QUICK, M. ZIEHN, H. F. LATONA, Ross baking. with the other Easterners) that you Texas.

32 MILEPOSTS MA RCH, 1953 33 We're happy to report that little quagenarian in the Hall of Fame of MILEPOSTS that the Lionel Corporation where he relieved AI while on vacation. Danny Olson, infant son of Switchman America's transportation greats. And had started making WP compartment­ He found the weather nice and no snow. GEORGE M. OLSON and wife, Gloria, is from all of us within the family, MANY izer car models, started something in CHARLES REID and family motored to home from the hospital and doing fine HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY! our office when J OHN STILL and J OHNNY Oklahoma, his former home, for their after undergoing surgery in a Salt It's a nice feeling to be a part of your PEGNIM each purchased one. Most of vacation. Charles took the southern Lake hospital recently. Also back on story. the rest of us soon followed suit and, route, and a card from him on the the job after being on the sick list Our recent acquisitions, FRANK coupled behind PERL WHITE'S model homeward trip told of a grand trip and several days is Lineman TOM SHEA. MASSI and BOB MORACE, have lost no W P Diesel 801, we could have a little wonderful weather. Seems Brakeman J IMMY GAMBLE and time in furthering their traffic knowl­ CFS No.1 of our own, if we could get We have been extending our best Engineer JOHNNY BROWN had a big bet edge outside of work hours, the former the highball from someone in MR. MUN­ wishes to JOSE CHAVEZ for a speedy about the completion date of TCS into by enrolling for courses at NYC and SON'S department. recovery. But to date he has been Salt Lake City. Understand J immy the latter undertaking the classes at unable to enter the hospital for surgery won all the money, but all Johnny has the Academy of Advanced Traffic. Per­ SACRAMENTO STORE because of crowded conditions. to say is that will have to be one of haps one day we'll have another prac­ Irene Burton his bad debts. titioner or two, to join our RAY GREVE LEE WILLIS' little daughter, Carol We have thirteen employees still on and J OHN PEGNIM. Lee, has been sick with the fiu, and Nearly every day you can see a new the payroll each with over twenty television aerial being installed on top LAVON ROBINSON'S daughter, Flavia, is years of service, almost half of Western entering the hospital for another oper­ of some house in Wendover. The TOM Pacific's young life. Congratulations to GARFIELDS, HERB WORTHYS, TONY MAR­ ation on her eye. She is a real trouper, G. H. BAKER, E. E. CHRISTIAN, M. D. as this is her second operation and she TINEZ and JOE AIELLAS all have sets and COUGHLIN, R. E. DANIELSON, R. E. FAL­ everyone says the reception is fine. may still have to have one more. QUIST, J. H. FRICK, H. C. HUFFMAN, A. S. Now we understand why we have We have enjoyed two or three visits KASPER, J. L . LEE, H. J . MADISON, C. H. with retired Engineer PERCY HEWITT, such . .. weather around Sacramento MARCHAND, J . C. MARCHAND, and H . E. during the winter months. Los Angeles telling us stories of the early days on MESSER. the WP, and also when he was an sends all their fog and what have you HENRY MADISON tells of an incident up to these parts. You can't keep us engineer on the old Deep Creek Rail­ that happened in the early Twenties. road, which ran from Wendover to down too long, though, as we have a THEN: There was an electrician work­ cherry tree in the yard near the office Gold Hill, Utah, when Gold Hill was a ing here who every noon took a piece booming mining town. bursting in full bloom! And this is just of sheet metal that had been cut to February. correct proportions, and his blow torch, We are in the throes of organizing NEW YORK and cooked himself a steak. NOW: " I ' d like one ticket to Winnemucca. That's where a chapter of the Railway Business Alan Hudson my sister Penelope lives. She makes the most de­ What is a steak? licious bread pudding. She take~, one tablespoon of Women's Association here in Sacra­ Fifty years old ... half a century. By sugar and •• • B. F. IDDINGS, retired price clerk, and mento. Through the efforts of MAR­ one perspective, almost a millenium; by his wife celebrated their Golden Wed­ CELLA KAHL, Sacramento Shops, and another, a fleeting moment. Not quite The rigors of New York's winter ding Anniversary the first of February. VIRGINIA GIBBS of the Southern Pacific the span of a full human life, yet the (FRANK SELL please note the admis­ The Store Department all join in ex­ here, our first gathering was a dinner ancient Israelites, and the Orientals, sion), were braved recently both by tending their very best and hope they meeting for WP, SN and SP women didn't feel a man had really attained MR. WHITMAN, and simultaneously by have many more years of married employees. GERTRUDE SHOUT, purchas­ manhood until h e was a quinquage­ MR. PAUL ELIEL, management consult­ happiness. ing department, and Pacific Coast narian (WOW!). So, if there ever was ant, of San Francisco. We were also J. A. McHENRY returned to work organizer, was with us to get us started any doubt on the part of our brother looking forward to seeing HYLAND HIN­ after a seige of illness. on our way. railroads that the WESTERN PACIFIC MAN of Oakland again, but were dis­ AL VIZINA dropped in to say hello • • • HAD ARRIVED, let them now step appointed since Mr. Hinman's program while on vacation for a visit with his aside and make room for the youthful, became overloaded while here. sons, Norman and Roy. For every 'W01nan who 1nakes a Jool out of 80?ne man . .. there)s another who '1?lakes a vigorous, yet now mature WP quin- The announcement in the December ERIC BORG has returned from Elko man Oltt Of some fool. 34 MILEPOSTS MA RCH, 1953 35 prepared for construction of the new nal department, and his wife, in the frame-stucco building. loss of Mrs. Eslinger's mother , Mrs. Lydia Polhemus, in Canton, Ohio, at 'STOCKTON the age of 82. Mrs. Polhemus is sur­ Virginia Rustan vived by three sons and two daughters, We extend our best wishes to WESLEY and will be remembered by many here JOHNSON, porter at the Stockton pas­ as she made her home in Oroville for senger station, who has retired from some time. service because of an eye condition. F. J . COLEMAN has been made round­ Good luck to Jimmy Hale, step-son house foreman, three to eleven p. m. of Doc HENSLEY, baggage clerk, who shift, and F . C. MOHATT is now foreman recently entered the Armed Forces. on the eleven p. m. to three a. m. shift. We're happy to learn that JERRY Mc­ Congratulations! CAULEY'S wife is greatly improved from her illness. The Port of Stockton celebrated its twentieth anniversary on February 3. Western Pacific took part in the cere­ monies and had on display for public This picture of the old San Jose passenger depot building was taken from th e <;tlbum of Agent G. I? Keyes' inspection our new compartmentizer father. After discontinuance of passenger service on the San Jose Branch It was used for vanous pur~ cars, the Charles o. Sweetwood blood poses, including housing of section crews, and fin ally succumbed to the wrecker's axe, along with its rose garden, in January, 1952. Nothing whatever remains of it today, donor car, and other equipment.

SAN JOSE The present West San Jose freight OROVILLE Charles H . Myers depot opened on May 1, 1922, and the Helen Small Western Pacific was eighteen years opening celebration was arranged by More than 150 members of the Oro­ old when she branched out a line to General Agent W. G. CURTISS, now as­ ville WP Amusement Club met for San Jose from her main line near Niles. sistant freight traffic manager, Agent dinner and dancing in EI Medio Hall. Keyes and his son, George, who by Construction commenced in 1917 by Following the dinner vocal selections Twelve district special agents and then had been promoted to assistant George Ballantyne, of San Jose, was were sung by Margaret, John, Mary claim agents and special agent claim agent. interrupted in 1918 by World War I, Ellen, Norma Jean and Norman Kell, adjusters were present at a staff meet­ resumed in 1919 and completed in 1921. The year 1924 found the traffic office children of Carmen H. B. KELL and ing held in E. L. MCCANN'S office. W. F . First general agent was J. Q. PATTON , at 207 South First Street in the Mont­ wife. They were accompanied on a Boebert and E. H. CARLTON were also who served from 1912 until 1918 when gomery Hotel building, with the fol­ piano accordion by J ack Orr, leader on hand from San Francisco. he declined to go to the San Francisco lowing force: W. G. CURTISS, general of the orchestra. Committee members Mrs. Mary Mason, of Quincy, cele­ agent's office to work during the period agent; P . R. TOBIN, traveling freight and were TOM FILSON, baggageman-caller; brated her 85th birthday in January at of Federal control of the railroads passenger agent; R. B. CHRISTENSON, J. E. DICK, R. S. PATTISON, carmen; and a family party given by her daughter under William G. McAdoo. The first city freight and passenger agent; C. A. W. W. LANG , agent. a nd son- in- law, Brakeman JAMES traffic office was in the Twohy Building CAMERON, chief clerk; and CARL NIPPER, PAUL JENNER completed examina­ WHITE. on First Street, and freight service was stenographer. tions for promotion of firemen and A new 478,600- gallon diesel fuel stor­ established in November, 1921. The The traffic office moved to 40 West engineers last month and then left with age tank has been installed at the freight depot was opened at 27th and San Carlos Street in October, 1926, the the examination car for Portola, next roundhouse, replacing the old 20,000- East Santa Clara streets by Agent C. C. site of its present location, and will stop. gallon tank. KEYES, later joined by his son, GEORGE again move to a new location at 790 Our sympathy is extended to 1. T. Switchman C. E. MCCARTY was mar­ D . KEYES, present agent. The Alameda as soon as the site can be ESLINGER, assistant superintendent, sig- (Continued on Page 41 ) 36 MILEPOSTS MA RCH, 19 53 37 ~+~~~~~++~~~~~+~ ~ n~ 1'1~ ~~o~ @Jt!!lJ !!lJAY~ ~ ~ + Jl{+~~~~~++~~~~~+):

Office building at Sacramento Shops. Upper photo taken by M. B. Brown in 1914. Photo below taken by H. A. O'Rullian in January, 1953. These two pictures of the office building at Sacramento Shops were sent in by Norma Joseph, Mechanical Department. Upper photo was taken by M. B. Brown in 1914. Photo below was taken by H. A .O'Rullian in January, 1953. The lawn, trees and shrubs were planted by E. E. Gleason, chief mechanical officer, M. W. Brown, chief draftsman, and John W. Bingham, A.F.E. Accountant.

A former unidentified employee took this picture on June 17, 1936, in front of the office at Sacramento Shops, which was sent in by Irene Burton. From left to right, top: E. E. Gleason, Roy Falquist, *Art Stai, J . Bingham, "Sigrid Frick, Joe Marchand, Marshall Brown, Charles Marchand, Peter Del Moro, >John Berg. Second row: H. O'Kelly, "Lloyd Wilcox, Martin Coughlin, Louis Sena, B. W. Jones, G. W. Baker, and "Frank Stack. Bottom row: Fred Iddings, *Tom Shawler, J. H. Frick, H. J. Madison and Louis Del Moro. • Indicates those who have since passed on.

38 MILEPOSTS MA RCH , 1953 39 (Continued from Page 37) laid to Stockton. He is the only person l'ied in Salt Lake City on February 6 of the original group a present actively to Georgia Shuman, of Anderson, In­ connected with Western Pacific. He diana. They will make their home in still looks like a young man, strong, Oroville. ruddy, healthy and vigorous and his Many of our employees are on the only drawback is his modesty. Gus can sick list: Lineman F. O. HARVEY for relate story after story about the rail­ examination and treatment; Engineer road, having walked over practically A. W. FULLER for surgery; Clerk the entire line at one time or another, W. M. FOSDICK for surgery; Retired Conductor NEAL CAMPBELL and Fire­ man W. E. WALLIS for medical check­ ups; MRS. METTlE GILBERT, flu attack; Mrs. Ernest Cross, wife of pipefitter ERNIE and Fireman RAY GRUMMETT, from injuries in an auto accident. Diesel Foreman W. F . STEVENS has been seen sporting a new Chevrolet. Diesel Supervisor JOHN FLYNN r e­ Jack Wragg, traveling accountant, brought in this old photo of Western P acific employees taken at E lko ports his son, Charles, returned from along about 1924 or 1925. Can anyone identify all those in the picture? If so, the Editor would appre­ duties in Korea and has been dis­ ciate receiving the information. charged from service at Fort Ord. Agent W. W. LANG'S son, Roddy, is now en route home from Korea and expects a discharge soon. HELEN R. SMALL, trainmaster's clerk, "Wish my wife was here--she'd know what to do I" had as gu ests during January her daughter-in-law, Mrs. H. B. Rogers but it's like "pulling teeth" to get a and little daughter, Beverly, from Mo­ story about Gus. line, Illinois. DUDLEY THICKENS, traffic department, The Oroville Western Pacific bowl­ announced his engagement to Louise ing team finished as winners in the first Odell, of Lafayette. The couple expect half of the league competition with to be married in May and to make their Johnsvi1le-Mohawk-Blairsden stage about 1918. 48 wins and 20 losses. They are now home in Contra Costa County. nine games ahead of their nearest rival. RITA CONNOLLY, transportation, and GERTRUDE SHOUT, purchasing, made a SAN FRANCISCO trip to Sacramento on January 30 to Rita Connolly, !Villiam Dutcher, Molly ~agan, organize a Railway Business Women's Lawrence Gernng, Bob Holm, Mary Nlchols, Maurice Notter, Carl Rath, Bill Royal, Dudley Association there, installing MARCELLA Thickens, Frank Tufa. KAHL, Sacramento Shops, as president. A. A. "Gus" KRAMM, assistant engi­ Gertrude was appointed West Coast neer, will very soon have completed representative of the Membership his 45th year of service with Western Committee of the National Association The F eather River Canyon was the location for "Main Street" of Portola, taken in 1920 by Cad Pacific, having begun employment in in J une of last year at the annual con­ many old-time movies, like this one in which Monte Rath, now manager-wire chief of the telegraph de­ Blue took a leading role. partment. 1908 as a stakeman when rail was being vention in Colorado Springs.

40 MILEPOSTS MA RCH , 1953 41 If anyone has any question as to the hasn't been able to convince any fish meaning of the word "enthusiasm," so far this year that they should take a check with BARBARA JOHNSTON, per­ nibble at his bait. sonnel. Since the new office additions to SALT LAKE CITY 1. M. FERGUSON'S office, anyone wishing Lee Marshall to step into his office is requested to Chas. W. Owen remove their shoes before entering. We wonder what some of the old­ W. A. TUSSEY, assistant supervisor of timers would think of the "Wobbly" labor relations, returned from a ten­ now if they could make a few trips over day trip to Chicago recently and found the old road bed? With the completion his desk piled high. of T.C.S. into Pollard Junction and the FRANK RAUWOLF, coordinator em­ new rail laid from Milepost 928 to Mile­ ployee activities, and AL HOCTOR, post 890, we have quite a "pike." Even passenger department, both made the the boys on the U.P . are casting envi­ deadline, becoming proud fathers of ous looks our way as we sail by. Have male dependents on December 3l. heard some complaints from the rear INEZ DOUCETTE , reservation bureau, brakemen; seems they are developing returned from an emergency trip home bay windows from lack of exercise, the to Canada. Understand her father was engineers can't make them run for the seriously iII but is now on the road to caboose any more. recovery. Speaking of old-timers, I saw retired EARL S. BENTZ, head traveling audi­ Conductor C. E. RENNER gliding down tor, had a transitory stroke on January the street in a shiny new Buick. Didn't 20 and has been confined to his home. get a chance to talk to him, but he "Just like the Kremlin says, Sonomovitch, they ARE putting gun blisters on their trains." We wish him a very speedy recovery looked mighty happy. and early return to work. Talked to retired Conductor JOE his car parked on the track at Pollard a job on the work train. Seems to think Weighing all of six pounds and fif­ STUART. He seems to get younger every Junction and in the ensuing stop, Hans he will have more time to spend with teen ounces, little Patricia Ann Turner year. He said he has escaped the flu found himself on the floor. Maybe the his family. We wonder! this year, but can remember a bad made her debut into the world on WP should install parking meters? If you notice a far - away look in February 5, much to the delight of case he had in 1918! GENE BEITEL, flagman on the Tooele Brakeman D. C. ANDERSON'S eyes, it's proud father GERALD TURNER, freight LEON HENDERSON, retired car fore­ Valley local, is up and around again because he has "new car fever." The traffic, and happy mother, DORIs, on man, seems to be enjoying himself after a bout with the flu germ. Seems auto dealers have been getting quite leave of absence from the telegraph these days and claims he didn't realize a going over lately. Better decide department. to be a lot of it going around. there were so many things to enjoy in pretty soon, Dee, before you wear out life. Wonder what Conductor W. C. Wedding bells will be ringing this all your shoes. year for ELLEN YOUNG and HAROLD THOMPSON is up to now? Anyone giving JOHN NAYLOR, agent at Burmester, up a job as flagman on the California Fireman RALPH AIELLO doesn't seem HAMILTON, both freight traffic depart­ took his vacation in January to get out Zephyr to go to work on a work train very happy about being back on freight ment, and for REGINALD DUNKLEY, also of some bad weather, but much to his must have something up his sleeve. after being on the head end of the freight traffic. surprise it has been J une in J anuary A hearty welcome to JANE RODDICK, around this neck of the woods. Conductor J . W. "WOODY" DANIELS California Zephyr so long-and that's understandable. LORRAINE LANGSTON and BETTY HEN­ Conductor HANS LARSEN is back on has just returned from Montana where RIOTT, all new members of the freight the job after being laid up for several his father is seriously ill. Hope he is S. C. WILSON is back to his first love, traffic department. weeks due to a pretty bad shaking up well on the way to recovery, Woody! brakeman on the famous streamliner. Understand LEO POPE, freight traffic, in the caboose. Seems some "joker" left Brakeman JOHN McLAUGHLIN bid in We're going to miss the cheerful face 42 MILEPOSTS MA RCH, 1953 43 of Brakeman FITZGERALD TURVILLE, who has moved back to Elko. What's Buzzin', Cousin? Condolences to Conductors RAY and Things were really buzzing on the SPENCE THOMAS on the recent death of station platform at Oroville on Febru­ their sister in San Francisco. ary 2 when the westbound California Signal Supervisor RALPH HILLMAN Zephyr pulled to a stop. Passengers now has his headquarters in Salt Lake who had been aboard the sleek pas­ City and we wish you the best of luck, senger train since leaving Chicago-by Ralph. then more or less accustomed to the RICHARD MOUNKES has taken over the usual hustle and bustle created by the duties as Roadmaster on the Fourth streamliner's arrival - were soon at­ Subdivision. His wife and two sons tracted to something unusual. This stop accompanied him from Keddie. It is was different. Noses were soon pushed their first try at living in a large city, against the window panes for a better but they seem to be taking it in stride. look, and those who had been enjoying We were grieved to hear of the death the breath- taking scenery from the of retired Conductor JAMES W. SMITH vista-domes above the train made the recently at St. Mark's HospitaL most of their opportunity to view hap­ penings on the paved platform below. Most of the action seemed to be cen­ An enlightening and interesting conversation took place at the zoo one day when mama Gnu walked up tered around the forward end of the to papa Gnu and said: "I've got Gnus for you," train, and as the suspense was reach­ ing a climax, someone remarked: "29 With gr a ceful f ee t a ntaid en swee t" million passengers getting on here." Was tripping the li ght jantastic. The train had barely got under way Soldom, i f ever, has a train met a more enthu siasti c welcome than Oaklan d pu t on f or t he She 8udde'nly tOT e tor the ladies) 1'OO1n­ first t hr ough p asseng~r on A ugust U, 1910. (Seo, also, front covor.) B lJtray ed by a cheap elastic. again when the conductor, the Zephyr ­ ette, brakemen and other train crew

This one from Art Lund, ATM, Chicago: members were bombarded with ques­ cific Slope was isolated from communi­ a ten-mile connection west of the Lake. WHAT'LL IT BE, POD NER ? tions. The answer was simple. cation with the East by landslides, It was not until the latter part of May If you cannot refrain from drinking, start a saloon in your own home. Be the only customer One Paul Harris, of 2340 Quincy snow banks and floods. Night and day that operation was returned to normal. and you will not have to buy a license. Give your Road, Oroville, had caused all the extra gangs wrestled with slides in the wife $12 to buy a gallon of whiskey. There are 128 AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME snorts in a gallon. Buy all your drinks from your excitement. He alone was responsible Feather River Canyon and at Altamont wife at 40 cents a snort and in four days, when the for the 29,000,000 passengers, consigned Pass; there were four big washouts in Passenger service was not begun gallon is gone, your wife will have $39.20 to put in the bank and she will have $12 to start up in busi­ to G. C. Quick of 367 E. Virginia the desert between Gerlach and Win­ until August. On the 22nd of that ness again. If you live ten years and continue to Street, Phoenix, Arizona. The passen­ nemucca, and serious damage through month, the fine new Oakland station, buy all your booze from your wife and then die with the snakes in your boots, your widow will have gers, all ladybugs picked up in pine Palisade Canyon. And to make matters impressively corniced with eight im­ $35,750.40 on deposit, enough to bury you respect­ desperate along the whole railroad, the mense concrete eagles, saw an immense f ully, bring up your children, buy a house and lot, cones in the Feather River country and marry a decent man and forget she ever knew you. now occupying 80 large cases, were waters of Great Salt Lake began to throng gather to greet the first through going forward via Railway Express to rise, ate away at the earth fill, and train, a press special. Promptly on time seriously threatened eight miles of line at 4: 15, amid the shrieking of factory UW ha[!s t hat on your face ?', qu e rie (~ the Phoenix, where they are badly needed wife, eyeing an. ugly 1'e d srnear. to destroy an overabundance of aphis. carried on fill and trestles. Considera­ whistles from Berkeley to Hayward, ((B lood, I guess) dear. I ha d a nasty acci­ tion was even given to abandoning this engineer Michael Boyle eased her n Said Harris, "that's a long flight for d ent on the way ho me. track, obtaining trackage rights over through an Arch of Triumph at Broad­ (( W hat a relief In said the wif e. ((F or a ladybugs, and anyway, train travel is 'n01nent I was w orried-thou ght i t w as lip­ the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt way and stopped before the depot. s tic k .J' a lot safer than flying." Lake r oute farther south, and building The trip had seen one amazing wel-

44 MILEPOST S MA R C H, 19 5 3 45 come after another. Crowds had turned in an impromptu baseball game at out all along the line, towns were deco­ Portola. rated, salutes fired, parades and brass THE COST ESTIMATES WERE bands were everywhere. Children MUCH TOO LOW decked out in their Sunday Buster Gould had not divided the financial Brown suits or starched eyelet- em­ responsibility for the Western P acific broidered dresses had waved flags and among his other railroads, but had tossed flower garlands, while their placed it all squarely upon the Denver elders pressed local gifts of grapes or and Rio Grande. By the terms of a en watermelons upon the astounded pas­ 0 mortgage arranged with the Bowling en sengers. Green Trust Company of New York In Quincy, 68-year old Arthur Ked­ in 1905, the Rio Grande had under­ Z die had almost wept written $50 million in WP bonds, and C as he spoke in wel­ III in addition, had agreed to advance any I- come from the court III additional funds necessary to complete oJ house steps. And in the line. :::E I!. II Oakland itself, the But building and equipping the III :::E crowd that surged in I- 0 Western Pacific had cost almost twice ~ U Third Street or lined the $39 million estimate and the D&RG Ul Ul roof-tops and had been called on to advance $16 mil­ Q c( c( ~ climbed telephone lion in cash. The correspondence of poles for a better view as the train o U Edward T. J effery, president of both 0:: - pulled up to the reviewing stand before oJ !!: companies, shows he was greatly wor­ the station, was as exhuberant as it was -c( c(u ried at these mounting figures and well 0:: I!. immense. A parade of welcome four he might have been for they were to miles long escorted the passengers and Q Z pull both railways into bankruptcy oJ 0:: railroad officers to a banquet at the ::J III within a few years. o l- Claremont Country Club. In the flow­ I.') Ul III ery language of the day, the San Fran­ WESTERN PACIFIC GOES III cisco Call proclaimed: "The great h eart TO WORK J: ~ of the State throbs at the triumphal I- III Gould and Jeffery had, however, ::t entry ... through canyons to the waters I- enabled the Western Pacific to embark of the West, the Western Pacific led its I Z iron stallions down to drink." on its career with a top-flight staff of III officers. C. H. Schlacks, first vice­ ::t v I George Gould was not present to president, had 30 years of successful ! ., ~ hear the nice words of welcome to his railroad experience behind him; he had I / " \ ~ new railroad. But soon thereafter his been general manager of the Colorado / cushy business car Atalanta (white tie Midland and later operating vice­ and tails customary at dinner) came president of the D&RG. Charles M. I West on the rear end of the Overland Levey, second vice-president and gen­ i Express. Gould, with his pretty ex­ eral manager had been general super­ actress wife and children, was aboard intendent of the Burlington, general on a tour of inspection. The multi­ manager of its Missouri lines, and millionaire railroad magnate made a third vice-president of the Northern hit with the "rails" when he took part Pacific. T. M. Schumacher, vice-presi- 4(') MII,EPOST:;; M A RCH, 1953 47 dent in charge of traffic of both W P and tem. The first sailing direct from the D&RG, had been general traffic man­ Western Pacific Mole took place Feb­ ager of the EI Paso and Southwestern, ruary 8,1911, when the Nippon Maru while Edward L. Lomax and Harry M. pulled away with a load of cotton for Adams, passenger and freight traffic the mills of J apan. Eastbound the managers respectively, were also capa­ steamers brought in Oriental fabrics ble men of wide experience. Such were that rolled as million-dollar silk spe­ the officers at the cials on faster than passenger sched­ helm of the infant ules. Fast fruit trains made Chicago railroad. Two of from Sacramento over the Gould Sys­ them, L evey and tem in 106 hours, and coast-to-coast Adams, were des­ package merchandise cars ran over tined to become its WP, Rio Grande, Missouri Pacific, Wa­ presidents. bash and Lackawanna. But not even supermen could have In the passenger department Lomax put the road immediately in the black. was just as active in promoting the The high cost of its construction had beauties and opportunities for sport in already nearly ruined the Rio Grande's the "Grand Canyon of the Feather"; credit. This and the terms of the mort­ the luxury of the electrically lighted gage which forbade any moneys to be and fanned six - car Atlantic Coast spent on branches until the main line Mail. On - toes solicitation garnered had been completed, had prevented special movements for organizations the construction of the numerous ranging from the Bartenders Union to feeder lines which had originally been the International Purity Congress. A contemplated. A worse deficiency was Votes-for-Women Special paused at the lack of on-line industries. In San all station for observation platform Francisco the road opened with only speeches by the Suffragettes in the The apana11'!Ja-Pacijic EXpT888)) stops at Belden in the Feather Rivm' Canyon in 1914. one industry spur, that of Dunham, manner later adopted by presidential Carrigan and Hayden. Most of the candidates. Grande and made in the belief that ever the future of the Western Pacific, plants and warehouses in Northern But as the earnest efforts of both under the contract it was liable only it would now be on its own. California were already served by traffic branches fell far short of profit­ for the interest and not the principal Southern Pacific and Santa Fe. With the San Francisco Exposition able operation the Rio Grand became of the WP bonds. The Rio Grande in 1915, slides closing the Panama However, they did their best. Almost increasingly concerned at the growing could, at some sacrifice, have met the Canal, growing involvement of the at once, they succeeded in signing ad­ deficits. In 1911 it was forced to sus­ interest for years, but its directors felt United States in the European War vantageous traffic agreements with the pend dividends on its preferred stock that by precipitating foreclosure and and, particularly, the results of its own Santa Fe and the Pacific Coast Steam­ in order to meet the interest coupons the sale of Western Pacific at auction, development program, WP traffic ship Company. They pioneered steam on the WP first mortgage bonds. By their liability would be ended. As it zoomed. But the property was sold at road interchange with the new electric developed the courts held otherwise. 1914 it was trying to get the terms of auction on the steps of the Oakland interurbans. A secret agreement, made the mortgage altered so as to eliminate The Gould empire was crumbling. March 26, 1906, by Jeffery with Toyo station on June 28, 1916, by a Special this crushing burden. Meeting with no In the East the Wabash Pittsburgh Kisen Kaisha, now became operative Master in Chancery. Three bank clerks, success, its directors decided to default Terminal project had bankrupted the and public knowledge. By its terms representatives of a bondholders' com­ on the coupons due March 1, 1915. As Wabash in similar fashion to the Rio this Japanese steamship company Grande's downfall. George Gould had mittee, bid it in. It was quite a contrast w hich had previously interchanged a result Western Pacific was forced into receivership. been forced out of active control of to the gala triumph at the same spot a with the Harriman lines would form the great railway system. And, what- short six years before. a through route with the Gould Sys- It was a tragic decision for the Rio MA RCH, 1953 49 48 MILEPOSTS The {(Atlantic Coast J.l1aiP' leaving the l'Vestern PCtC'ijic Mole in 1911, Chicago 95 hours a.nd 25 '1ninul"e's away via. WP, Rio Grande and Rock Is land. IJaunching of the ferry Edward T. Jefjel'y at lIIoore Dry Dock, Oakland, on July 13, 1910. The Jefjery "eplaced the steT" wheel ~'elephone (above) with which ,Vestern Pacific began passenger service, and is still operating on the Bay as an a1(,to jerry. REORGANIZATION pany, became president of The Western The Western Pacific Railroad Com­ Pacific Railroad Company. Under his pany had been incorporated by the able direction it prospered for many bondholders a few weeks b efore, to years. One of Levey's first actions was operate the railway and, subsequent to to engage consulting engineer J. W. the auction, the Western Pacific Rail­ Kendrick to make an independent road Corporation was chartered by the survey toward building or acquiring same parties as a holding company. feeder lines. By the terms of its mort­ Charles M. Levey, who had been gage bonds no branches had been built second vice-president of the old Com- by the old Company, though Bogue had

,Vestern Pacific lIIole, Oakland -=:::;======-.~=~ hopefully kept alive many interesting 1,000,000 ACRES projects that had been offered. One SAN FRANCISCQ such was an entrance into Los Angeles Awaiting Settlers! through the Malibu Rancho and Santa SCENIC RO UTE See List of Lands For Sale Herein Monica. Another was a network of in­ terurban lines to cover Oakland, Ala­ [======i. meda and Berkeley, which the present WP management can be thankful was Toyo Kis e n Kais ha Round-Trip never buil t. (Orlllt. of which had been foreign cars forcibly for distribution in the Orient. Right: This pam­ Passenger Tramc Manager District Passenger Ment Ro.:.k hlirnl •• ..882 Mru-kt\ St .' . ,. KeMny 4)78 phlet for prospective home-seekers in the West San Francisco purchased after wrecks. shows the first WP insigne. MA RCH, 195 3 53 52 MILEPOSTS UNCLE SAM TAKES OVER pills to the Western Pacific officers. On December 28, 1917, with the One w as the "paired track" operation United States several months a be­ of S. P. and WP between Winnemucca ligerent in the European War, Presi­ and Wells, 182 miles, where the tracks dent Woodrow Wilson seized control were parallel. Another was folding up of the nation's railroads. The United Western Pacific's ferry and barge serv­ States Railroad Administration was ice on San Francisco Bay, its passenger set up by Congress, h eaded by William trains being diverted to the S.P. Mole Gibbs McAdoo, Wilson's son-in- law. and its San Francisco freight moving On J uly 1, 1918, McAdoo appointed via Dumbarton cutoff. William R. Scott, vice - president of But on August 31, 1919, Colonel Ed­ Southern Pacific, to manage that sys­ ward W. Mason, who had come to WP tem as well as the Santa Fe Coast Lines as a car accountant ten years before This lOneS011"Le t 'r ain on W P 's ~Wtv defunct subsidiary', the ((Deep Creek Railroad.J) was the and Western P acific. and served in France with the U. S. ~cene of one of the West's last tmin hold-"lJS. On Oct ober 18, 1 91 7, three rnas7c~ d ban dits It was not a happy time for WP, Army Railroad Corps, was appointed oardecZ t he ~r a'tn a~ Salt Spnngs ... about 20 1niles south of Wendover... seriously wounded one although the USRA added ten Mikado Federal Manager of the Western Pa­ passenger w"th a '".'fie b"llet an,l made off with the W ells Fargo safe and othe,' valuables cific and the road again r ejoiced in a As was tradltwna l, they treated the lady passengers tvith t he ut'most co'urtesy. . engines, Nos. 301-310, 60,000 pounds tractive effort, to the roster, and al­ family hand on the throttle. On March though the Feather River Route was 1, 1920, when complete independence carrying heavy trains of war freight was achieved again with the return of 'llhe crew of Extra 83 chose an unusua l j1'u1ne for the~r pm'trait. and "doughboys." Several of the meas­ the roads to private ownership, Mason ures introduced by Scott were bitter became general manager, and later

A crowd delirious with joy mobbed Thh'd and Washington when Oakl and's own 159th re­ turned from World War I. Afte," the "doughboys" detrained t hey were l ed up B r oadway by Mary Pickford il}L U co1011,e1)s unif01·nt.

54 MI LEP OSTS The Oanyon was not tamed with the driving of the Last Spike. Until slopes had been scaled baok and 1'nseoure b01!lders 'I1tini11tized .. inoidents like that above at 1J1. P. 2J 6 rnade the loco­ Two almost fabulous personages are a vital part of Western Pa?ific's history. George J. mot1ve engineer's job similar to the airline pilot's oj today. ' Gould (left) built it to run east and west. Arthur Ourtis James (nght) made.t a north and south carrier as well. Photo shows James speaking at the Gold Spike ceremomes at Bteber, November 10, 1931. vice-president and general manager, a control, on December 23, 1921, of the post he was to hold until his retirement Sacramento Northern Railroad, a on June 30, 1946. THE LAST OF THE RAILROAD third-rail electric line between Sacra­ discovered to be a good idea and in MOGULS COMES TO W P Like most railroads the Western Pa­ mento and Chico. the mutual interest after all. It was cHic was in deplorable physical condi­ With restored individuality came reinstated on March 7, 1924, and an In 1926 Arthur Curtiss James, pr ob­ tion when the Government relinquished much friendlier, if no less competitive, agreement for joint rates and routes ably the last of the great railroad finan­ control. After a year's haggling it re­ relations with the big neighbor, South­ was signed by which WP was to bridge cial giants, added control of WP to ceived almost $9 million in damages. ern Pacific. The paired track arrange­ at least half of the S.P. traffic between his large holdings in Great Northern, Most of the money went to purchase ment originally begun by Scott was Oregon and Ogden from Winnemucca Northern Pacific, Burlington and other to Chico on the Sacramento Northern. Western railroads. A new era in the history of Western P acific began at Williant8 Loop in the early days, showing the {(cut-off)] b y 'which descending westbound trains All Western railroads suffered dur­ a vo1ded gOi1Lg around the circle. ing the roaring twenties from intensive once. Panama Canal steamship competition James was the son of a man who and the WP was no exception. How­ had been one of "Empire Builder" Jim ever, its acquisition of subsidiaries and Hill's principal lieutenants. Railroads building of branch lines paid off in were in his blood. There was plenty of generally favorable results. Twenty­ money in his pockets, too, for he had six more Mikados were bought, Nos. just sold the El Paso and Southwestern 311-336, and large additions to the roll­ to the S.P. after that Company had ing stock, including 2,000 refrigerator blocked his plans to extend it to the cars, were made. Upkeep of roadbed, Pacific. however, left something to be desired. Harry M. Adams had left his WP 57 MARCH, 1953 job as freight traffic manager years Of the proposed new branches, three before. A Union P acific career had were of major importance: culminated in his recent retirement as vice - president, traffic. J ames called 1) An extension, utilizing a portion him back to activity to make him of the Tidewater Southern, southward president of Western P acific. Complete down the San Joaquin Valley to Fresno. After a bitter battle of words, this was renovation of the property was begun barred by the regulatory Commissions at once. B anks were widened, ties re- who held that additional rail service in newed and in­ the Valley was not justified. creased, and new rail laid. Sidings 2) Direct rail entr ance into San were lengthened in F rancisco by means of a line up the pre p aration for P eninsula. This was opposed most longer freight vigorously by the S.P., but neverthe­ trains. The men less won the approval of the Commis­ out on t h e lin e sions. Complete rights of way were were not forgotten either. Included in secured, but although time extensions the improvement plans were 66 resi­ were several times granted by the The " I nside Gateway" is compl eted. Weste!"n Pacific No. ~O~ and Great Northern No. 3851 dences for section foremen and agents, I.C.C., this project was a victim of the meet at Bieb",', November 10, 1931, as W P P resident H a'~'Y Adams and GN Pres,ident Rall)h as well as many well-built, attractive approaching Great Depression. Blldd shalee hands from thei)' pilots. bunk houses for their crews. 3) The third major extension, and Face lifting on the existing property the one which was actually built and side with a single charge, a deep cut interest due March 1, 1935. The Recon­ was only part of the J ames program put into operation despite desperate was substituted. Fifty tons of black struction Finance Corporation, which for a greater Western P acific. His am­ opposition , was the link between West­ ern P acific and the Great ~orth ern powder and two tons of dynamite lifted had already made loans to the Com­ bitious plans called for the purchase of pany in an effort to avert this outcome, several shortlines and the building of now known as the Inside Gateway. a sidehill as tall as a ten -story building, WP built 112 miles north out of K eddie as long as two city blocks, and as wide now requested the officers to prepare new branches, practically all of which, a plan of reorganization. however, had been contemplated in the connecting with the Great ~orth e rn 's as one. SS -mile extension at Bieber Califor­ original Gould plans and later recom­ THE LAST GOLD SPIKE SECOND REORGAN I Z ATION mended by Kendrick's report in 1916. nia. !his was a most importa~t project, makmg Western Pacific a north and At Bieber, on ~ovemb er 10, 1931, Accordingly, the WP filed a petition Of these, the following short lines were amid the icy blasts of a snow-bearing and plan for voluntary reorganization of the most import: south carrier through its connection with the Santa F e at Stockton, in addi­ gale from the ~orth and the equally under Section 77, providing for a two­ 1) Acquisition of the trolley-powered tion to being an east and west trans­ frigid financial storms of the deepening thirds reduction in annual charges and San Francisco - Sacramento Railroad continental. depression, Arthur Curtiss J ames drove a 50 per cent slash in capitalization. (formerly Oakland, Antioch and East­ Other plans were submitted by the The Western Pacific's part of the a spike of Oroville gold before several ern) between Oakland and Sacramento. J ames'interest (Arthur Curtiss J ames construction was through very r ugged train- loads of dignitaries. After the This was accomplished in August, 1927, coun t ry. However, construction ceremonies the guests tore down the had died in 1941) and it was not until and merged, J anuary 1, 1929, with the 1944 that the courts finally approved a m ethods had improved vastly. The nine grandstand and with it built a bonfire stringent plan which cut the fixed debt Sacramento ~orthern. tunnels on the route were all built to keep from freezing. to a quarter of what it had been, and 2) Acquisition of the P etaluma and within a year and by th e same crew­ ~ 0 such easy refuge offered for the found the capital stock to be without Santa Rosa Railway, also electric, as quite different from the endless peck­ ~at ion's railroads. Traffic continued to equity. This, of course, had been held a foot in the door toward the Redwood ing at Spring Garden and Chilcoot shrink as factories closed their doors. by the Western P acific Railroad Corpo­ Empire. This was vetoed by the Com­ 25 years before. A tunnel had been One after another, they were going into ration which the bondholders of 1916 missions and the line was purchased planned at Milepost 5, near Indian bankruptcy. The Western P acific Rail­ had organized. by the S.P. Falls, but by blasting off the mountain- road Company defaulted on its bond 59 58 MILEPOSTS. MA R CH , I953 The $18 million program of placing line as traffic conditions required. Only the railroad in first-class shape which one other railroad, the Santa Fe, had J ames had turned over to President preceded WP in the use of diesel­ Adams in the late twenties had been electric road engines for freight serv­ only half completed. By now the de­ ice. pression-starved railroad was down at It was fortunate that the railroad was the heels again. A three-year rehabili­ so well prepared, for traffic soared far tation program was initiated in 1936 beyond the most optimistic day dreams with R.F.C. funds, while the road was of the past. Freight more than doubled still under trusteeship. It was actually during the first year of the war while a delayed continuation of the James passenger business went up 600 per plan. per cent. Both kept climbing. It was Eighty-five pound rail through the not unknown for the Exposition Flyer, Feather River Canyon was replaced the road's only through passenger with 112-pound steel. Ten mountain­ train, to go out in as many as eight type passenger engines (Nos 171-180) sections. were bought from the Florida East Daily engine utilization had to be Coast Railway in 1936 and eliminated materially increased, and was. Yard helper engines on varnish trains. facilities were en­ Eleven more mallets were added in larged. And in the 1938. Passenger cars were modernized Canyon, which with air-conditioning and new freight otherwise would cars were added. Faster through almost certainly schedules to the East had become pos­ have developed sible with the Rio Grande's completion into an operating bottleneck with the of the Dotsero cut-off and use of the great number of trains that were roll­ Moffat Tunnel in 1934. ing, centralized traffic control was in­ stalled at a cost of almost $1% million. WAR AGAIN The first stretch, between Portola and And so it was that Pearl Harbor and Belden, went into operation in late what followed found Western Pacific in 1944 and was extended to Oroville by excellent shape. More than 700 miles June, 1945. of main line track had been laid with With this heavy traffic came pros­ 100 and 112-pound rail. Among the 150 perity to the reorganized company. The WP locomotives were 17 heavy Mal­ funded debt was reduced from $38 mil­ lets, capable of handling most freight lion to $20 million, while regular divi­ trains without helpers. In addition 10 dends were paid. engines were leased from the Rio Charles Elsey had become president Grande and three from the Duluth in 1932. He had joined Western Pacific Missabe & Iron Range. After the im­ as assistant treasurer in 1907, while the pact of war, traffic was felt. Further­ first rails were being laid, and had seen more, three, 5,400 hp. diesel-electric the r ecurrent fat and lean years that road freight locomotives were ordered followed. As president, he had guided in 1942 and received the following year. it through the Depression and through These three engines were operated as the War which followed. Under his 1;e/01'e the days oj diesels W estern PaC'i jic ope1'ated S01n e 0/ the l1:W St 1J o 'We1' f'l~l s team. pO'lVe )' a "flying squadron" anywhere on the leadership three projects had been in the 'W orld. Show n above are t he three c lcf,sses of arh culated eng1'1tes.

60 MILEP OSTS ~ r A RCH, 19 53 61 started that would prove the firm foun­ Pacific had awaited impatiently for boarded it at Portola and found their Switches are kept free of snow by dation of the railroad's future-dieseli­ more than a decade. way into its domes, they realized at automatic heaters operated from the zation, centralized traffic control, and THE CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR once that only a vista - dome train same traffic control boards, and slide the California Zephyr. At 68, he de­ would do. Orders for the California detector fences flash their warnings cided it was time to retire. For it was during the latter part of Zephyr equipment had been placed there also. Switch engines and yard­ Retirement was also breathing down 1937 that Western Pacific, Rio Grande with The Budd Company in the fall of masters are joined by radio. So are the the neck of his logical successor, Harry and Burlington first laid plans for 1945, but because of the backlog of WP tugs on the Bay and soon road A. Mitchell, who had succeeded Colonel a daily, diesel - powered streamliner orders, work on the cars had not been engines and cabooses will also be radio E. W. Mason as vice-president and between San Francisco and Chicago. A started, and the specifications were equipped. Car ownership has been ma­ general manager in July, 1946. Mitchell downward business trend the following altered to provide five vista- domes on terially increased. had come to WP as president of the year put the plans on the shelf. The each of the six trains necessary for With these technological advances Sacramento Northern. And now he be­ War put them on ice. daily service. have come faster schedules and top­ came chief executive of the parent road In the long run it was just as well. The California Zephyr went into bracket operating records. By various for the first six months of 1949. A For on November 16, 1947, the General service on March 20, 1949. Never has a standard criteria of railroad service feature of his administration was the Motors experimental Train of Tomor­ new train met with more immediate and efficiency such as "gross ton miles de but of the California Z eph yr, an even t row arrived at Salt Lake City and and complete popular acceptance and per freight train hour," "car miles per that the men and women of Western when the Western Pacific officers had become a national by-word. car day," "train miles per freight train hour," etc., Western Pacific is now N EW MANAGEMENT AND usually found among the upper few Screen star Eleanor Parker, assis ted by CaU/ornia's Lieutenant Governor Goodwin Knight, NEW ACHIEVEMENTS christens the Gal-i/()rnia Z ephyr on 111'(lroh 19, 19.9. A t left, P resident HU1~'y A. Mitchell. and often at the top. The road has also Next day the s leek vista-d01ne s trean'diners went into service and 1net 1Jhenom,enal public F or the best man to succeed Mitchell become recognized as a pioneer of im­ acceptance. as President, the Western Pacific Di­ proved equipment. It was first to buy rectors had combed the country. They and make available to shippers of found him in Frederic B. Whitman, fragile merchandise the "Compart­ \ who had already established a nation­ mentizer" box cars which have been so wide reputation for advanced railroad successful in reducing damaged lading; management practices and was then first to tryout and buy the Budd rail­ general superintendent of the Burling­ diesel cars which are now being or­ ton, as President Levey had once been. dered all around the world; first with Whitman came to the property in late many similar projects. And the public, 1948 as executive vice-president and largely, knows this. became chief executive on July 1, 1949. Partly due to growing pride in their As his right- hand man, he brought railroad and partly as a result of Harry C. Munson, assistant general the candid, impartial and enlightened manager of the Milwaukee Road to be human relations policies which Presi­ vice-president and general manager. dent Whitman has introduced, the men During the four years in which and women of Western Pacific are Whitman has been president, he has finding, more than ever, satisfaction in firmly established the Western Pacific being part of a great enterprise. Many not only as a first - class transconti­ of the elders remember how in the lean nentalline, but as a leader in railroad years they had heard their railroad progress as well. The road is now com­ called the "Wobbly." They hadn't liked pletely dieselized, completely under it. Nevertheless, they had gone ahead centralized traffic control (except for with the job and often performed near­ paired track, extensions and branches) . miracles of operation with little more

MA RCH, 1953 63 was, despite its ups and downs, a sound business concept and a necessary de­ " velopment in the public interest. That the revolutionary changes in American life did not lessen but rather increased the need for their railroad is a tribute to the pioneers of Western Pacific. The owner of a pretty ankle no longer need fear jail if she shows it. But the college professors are still talking about N" the evils of football. Trains and rail­ roads differ greatly from those of fifty years ago. But essentially they are much the same. Fifty years from now, someone writing the history of West­ f President Whitman and Vice· President and Gen. ern Pacific will very likely make a eral Manager Munson on line. similar observation about the first (; century. I than bare hands. Now, they enjoy the All aboard for the second fifty years! change. MILEPOSTS is indebted to the jollowing jor Half a century has passed since the 'many of the picttwes which appear on the prec€'ding pages: E. V. Allison~ Ca1"l Ger- I "Preliminary Meeting" on March 3, 1nann, P. 7'. Hewitt. C. B. Hinds. Lloyd A. 1903. These fifty years have seen the Johnson, Geo"ge 1I1attis, D. O. McKellips, Edward L. 1I1ehlert, Misso,,,'; Pacific. David C world change more than fifty centuries 1I1yrick, Oakland T"ibune, Mrs. C. F. Post, Western Pacific freight service. THE HGWS" fast freight from the Northwest to Southern Vento" Sappers, H. O. Williams and INS California via "the Inside Gateway," before them. These fifty years have also Photo. proved that the Western Pacific project In January, 1950, Western Pacific initiated Budd RD C service. s

"V I (;

I ~

(I n I r

64 MILEPOSTS Sec. 34.00, P. L. & R. WESTERN PACIFIC MILEPOSTS U. S. POSTAGE 520 Mission St., San Francisco 5, Calif. PAID Return Postage Guaranteed Son Francisco, Calif. Permit No, 5371

tn. ALMl ASKE 175 S. LINCO~N ST. EOSS1IL LE t CALIF.

Form 3547 Requested

March 3, 1903 •.. Organization of Western Pacific Railway. • • • January 2, 1906 ... Driving of the first spike at Oakland. • November I, 1909 ... Driving of the last spike at Spanish Creek bridge. • • • August 22, 1910 .• , Inauguration of through passenger service . • June 16, 1916 .. , Incorporation of The Western Pacific Railroad Co• • February 3, 1918 ..• Completion of Reno Branch. • • • September I, 1921 ... Completion of San Jose Branch. • November 10, 1931 ... Driving of the Gold Spike at Bieber. • • September 26, 1939 ... First diesel operation. • • March 20, 1949 ... Inauguration of California Zephyr• • September 15, 1950 .•. First Budd ROC operation. • • • January 14, 1953 •.• Completion of traffic controlled signaling.