The TRAINMASTE�R

Official Publication of the Pacific Northwest Chapter, National Railway Historical Society.

MARCH 1990

Union Station Tracks The Union Station Task Force, a special committee appointed by the :: ] Mayor, will hold hearings on the BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, Man:h 8, Thursday,7:00pm, at the Columbia subject of the number of tracks that GorgeModel Railroad Club on the comer of N. Vancouver Ave. and Russell Street. AllChap­ should be retained through Portland ter members arewelcome.

Union Station. At issue is the MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING,March 16, Monday, 7:30pm, at the Portland question of whether the Portland GeneralElectric auditorium on SE 17th A venue betweenPowell and Holgate. The business meet­ Development Commission's plans ing will start promptly at 7:30, with the newsreel and program following after a short break. Refreshments will be available; please bring some money to feed the "kitty" so Kitty can con­ to reduce the tracks from seven to tinue to feed you. The program is listed below. five should be implemented. (For a WEEKLYNO-HOsr LUNCHEON, every Saturday, 12:00noon, at the SemaphoreRes­ more detailed explanation, see the taurant at the comerof SE 17th Avenue and Holgate Blvd. Our group sits in the back. Come on Ad Hoc Union Station Committee downI report on page 3 of this issue.) ROLLING srOCK WORK SESSIONS, every Tuesday and Saturday, at the Chapter's The hearings will already have tracksin Brooklyn Yards. Working hours are9am to 3-4pm on Tuesday,lOam to late afternoon been held by the time you read this, on Saturday. There's a lotof work of allkinds to be done, and your contribution would be wel­ to can , but the decision is not expected to come. ContactRichard Gray (656-0260) or Bob Hoffman (654-0914) see how you help. be made until later. If you would CHAPTER LIBRARY OPEN HOURS, Saturday, March 17 & 24, 1 to 4pm at Room I, Union Station. Onduty: Chris & Russ Schoof. like to register your opinion on this question, there is time to do soif you act quickly. Public opinion always E�!RABOARD has some influence in situations of [:: :: ::::::: ::::::::::::: I

this sort, so here is an opportunity ANNUAL RAILROADIANA AND MODEL RAILROAD SWAP MEET, Saturday, to weigh in on the side of railroad March 10, lOam to 4pm, at the Jackson Armory(details inside). Our joint effort withthe Colum­ preservation. bia Gorge Model Railroad Club. Help needed! Sign up at the February business meeting or call To be heard, write to: Esther Rosu at 659-5157. Details at left and on page 2. CPR TRAINING FOR CAR HOSTS,Saturday, April 7,2:00pm,at the HollywoodDance and FitnessStudio, 4419 NE Sandy Blvd,Portland. Cost: $8 at the door. Mr. Donald Magnuson Chainnan, Union Station Task Force ShastaDaylight '90, CHAPTER EXCURSION TO REDDING, CALIFORNIA,Satur­ c/o PortlandDevelopment Commission day-Sunday, May 12-13. Allthe approvals arein, and the trip will run. Tellall your friends so can 1120 SW 5thAvenue, Suite 1100 we sell out I Fares: $295 doubleoccupancy, $325 single; includes allmeals/accommodations. Portland, OR 97204 NRHS National Convention, June 14-17, at St. Louis, Missouri. Engines UP844, SLSF 1522,N&W 611, and SSW 819 will attend-why don'tyou? PNWC JazzSpecial EXCURSION TO ASTORIA, OREGON, Saturday-Sunday Oc­ tober 6-7. BN has approved this run, which will be made using ourown rolling stock. Plan on it!

MARCH MEETING PROGRAM

To be announced

Program begins after business meeting.

Notice: Programs are needed for future meetings. Anyone who is willing to present a program (slides, ftlm, etc.) at a chapter meeting, please contact Esther Rosu at 659-5157.

Room 1, Union Station, Portland, Oregon 97209 (503) 226-6747 March 1990 2 The Trainmaster

From the Editor

Bond Program Progresses

The proposed Chapter bond sale to raise funds for the restoration of the Chapter's passenger cars for excursion service is progressing well. All members have been sent letters requesting their opinion of the plan and whether they would participate. Asof February 26, 156 membershad replied; 149 were in favor of the plan, 7 opposed. Of those, 131 members indicated they would participate by purchasing bonds. Totalling the extremes of the dollar ranges checked by the respondents yielded a minimum of $53,400 and a maximum of $115,500. All members who have not yet answered the survey are urged to do so as soon as possible, so that the Chapter can have a better idea of the level of supportthe plan has, and whether it can successfully raise the needed money. President Bob Hoffman reported at the February business meeting that our lawyers had reached the conclusion that the bonds can be offered lawfully in Oregon, Washington, and California.The processto take the legal actions and prepare the documents necessary to register with the states and to make the

offering is underway. A prospectus. should be in the hands of memberswithin a month. The membership approved the plan in a vote at the February business meeting. Let's hope that the coming excursion to Astoria will be the first of many successful runs made with our own equipment! -RussSchoo f

: : : : rr>'::'::>";>:"'>'�<::::;�;:::::�""'��>':$"::>' :>' :::>�"':�::::'�:>�>,,;:,:>:":::,,�':>::::$:::::':::::-;$:,::::::m::,,:»:::,��"'��'::::::��:?";:"'>' ::-;: :::::"�""""�-'''::''''';::::''�'''''' :"�""i! I Saturday, March 10, 1990 II � Portland's Twelfth Annual �l.

Railroadialla & Model Railroad � Swap Meet ?:l

Admission: lIours: Adults $2.00 10 a.lII. to 41'.111. Children under 12 FnEE

DEADLINES Address: I'urtla.ul Air BoISe Jacksoll Armory ( ('2�� N.1o:. Comfllol H(!. are terrible things, but they � � � --c ,. Porllalld, OrCl:lI1I pop up every month without � j fail. The deadline for each 1! � � o/:, issue of The Trainmaster is I the 20th of the previous � month. I al ways try to I 'c'�"/ I squeeze in late material, but I can't guarantee that any­ I I thing received after the 20th � will make it-be warned! l� �II -RS � �":»>'".«I'.«'.��:?;:.:::-z.�:::.=:;r"W.:;:,��.:�.. �«-::-z�:"w.�::>:.;:;s-��:;:;9.���

L The Trainmaster 3 March 1990

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APPOINTMENT: MEMBERSIDP Esther Rosu has been appointed by President Bob Fred Dorsett, Chair Hoffman to chair the Activities Committee. Please welcome the following new members to the CPR TRAINING FOR CAR HOSTS Chapter: Car hosts are reminded that they must possess a current CPR certificate to be eligible to work on Chapter HARRYE. NEWSOM excursions. A special CPR training class for car hosts 3415 Overlander, Kamloops,B.C., Canada V2B 6X4 will be held Saturday, April 7, at the Hollywood Dance and Fitness Studio, 4419 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland. The THOMAS SCHERICH session will begin at 2:00pm. Cost is $8.00, to be paid at 7887 SW Skyhar Dr., Portland OR 97223 the time of the class. Please sign up in advance with Marilyn Edgar (236-7271).

CAR HOST CALL AD HOC UNION STATION The call for car hosts for the '90 TerryParker, Chair excursion in May will be going out soon. The car host roster (published in the January Trainmaster) remains Members of the Union Station Committee met with the same as it was prior to the aborted Bruce Allen of the Portland Development Commission Cascade-Deschutes excursion of last year. Please December 23rd. No fonnal agenda had been set. The respond immediately to the notice so a replacement can meeting took place at Union Station in Room 208, just be found, if necessary . after a brainstonning session with area business leaders. There were many charts and diagrams still on the wall LATHE FOR SALE from the previous meeting. The business group had The Chapter's large metal-working lathe is for sale. placed a greater priority on an aquarium than on a The machine has a swing of 16 inches, with 8 feet railroad museum for the Union Station area. Chapter between centers. If interested, contact Richard Gray at Union Station Committee members felt that the railroad 656-0260. museum should receive the higher priority. The lack of forward movement on or infonnation about the railroad SALT LAKE CITY TRIP museum was also mentioned. Would you be interested in joining a tripon the Mowlt Discussionthen centered on the removal of additional Hood to Salt Lake City sometime this year? Time is tracks through the station property. The PDC wants only needed to plan a trip such as this, so please let us know five tracks to remain: 1,2, and 3 for Amtrak, with 4 and right away. Dates will be decided later ifenough interest 5 as through tracks. This would include the removal of is shown. Please send a note to Salt Lake CitySpecial, low shed number 2. The Chapter has consistently c/o Room 1. objected to thisproposal, stating the seven tracks should remain: one for the proposed waterfront trolley line, AAPRCO TRIP TO GALVESTON three for Amtrak, two through tracks, and one extratrack We need to know now whether anyone would like to for excursion or expanded rail service. travel on the Mount Hood to the next American Other items discussed at the meeting included: new Association of Private Rail Car Owners convention, to neon signs around the station; the neon sign repair fund be held earlyin November at Galveston, Texas. The trip organized by the Chapter; PDC's option to buy the Post would take about two weeks, and cost is estimatedin the Officeparking lot between NorthwestBroadway and 5th area of $1200 per person. Indicate interest with a note to Ave, Hoyt and Irving Streets; and converting old AAPRCO Special, c/o Room 1. Do it now! warehouses into housing on Hoyt Street across from the Post Office. Construction is due to start in April along Northwest , 9th Street between Hoyt and Front Avenue. This will include sidewalks and ornamental street lighting. The Shasta Daylight '90 railroadcrossing at Front Avenue will also be reopened. Portland Police Bureau's horse patrol wants to use the old Burlington Northern maintenance shed on the east \. side of 9th Street. March 1990 4 The Trainmaster

The extension of Portland's transit mall from West cancellation: the railroad believed that an Oregon law Burnside to Northwest Irving is scheduled to be under making the dumping of waste on rights of way that had construction by spring of 1991. This would include a become effective July 1, 1988 included the discharge of Tri -Met bus layover facility on the site of the old Railway sewagefrom a . Express building at the comer of NW 5th and Hoyt, and ExcursionsCommittee chairman Bill Carterreported the extension of Irving Streetfrom 5th A venue to the area that 658 tickets had been sold and paid for. In the hope of the interlocking tower. that the trip could be salvaged somehow, many long Our board of directors approved a letter to PDC distancecalls were made to railroad and politicaloffices, supporting using the old BN maintenance shed along but all to no avail. All of the money was promptly with the construction of a corralfor the horsepatrol, and refunded to the purchasers,but the net loss to the Chapter supporting a fully-landscaped bus layover facility. Also exceeded $5,000, with no value placed on our lost time. in the letter was an expressed concern about retaining In short, the Chapter got caught in the crossfire of an enough on-streetparking in the areato serve bothUnion ongoing controversy that likely will take years to Station and the bus depot at peak travel times. It was resolve. While we regret the inconvenience and suggested that Parking be retained on the north side of disappointment caused, we know we conducted NW Irving Street. ourselves commendably throughout the entire episode. The final item discussed at the meeting with Bruce Efforts to schedule other excursions all were was our Chapter officesin Room1. One of our neighbors unsuccessful, some due to Amtrak carshortages. is looking for additional space and an office is available The year began well with an Annul Banquet on on the third floor of the station. We noted that we like January 28 at theMallory Hotel in Portland, attended by our street-level entry, but that the Library Committee 72 persons. The speaker was Dan Kuhn, Amtrak Sales now in Room lA might be interested. Also discussed Consultant. Receiving the Jack Holst Award as member was the possibility of using the interlockingtower when of the year was Marilyn Edgar. it is vacated. The long-term goal is to incorporate the The Chapter's collection of rolling stock was tower as partof the railroad museum. increased with receipt in February of a newly purchased coach (ex-GN 1220 and NJT 5312). Through the year, work was authorized to convert to ABD brakes on the coach Red River (pNWC 6800), but time allowed only a Activities Report for PNWC-NRHS conventional two-year renewal and a new wheelset for the MOWltHood, oursleeperllounge (ex-SP&S 600). For -1989 the sum of $2,170 we sold two passenger cars that were in Silvis, lllinois, which we had purchased some years Rich Carlson, National Director before but never had moved West. We applied for While 1989 was a good yearfor the PacificNorthwest Oregon Lotteryfunds to help restore Mission Santa Ynez Chapter, it was remarkable morefor what did not occur (ex-SP 6001), a 1928 Pullman-built vintage solarium thanfor what did. Life is like that, and the Chapter looks car, but were unsuccessful. Nevertheless, this car was forward to 1990 with increased optimism and leased in August for filmingin the movie "Come See the enthusiasm. Paradise." Witha 1942 fIlm setting, the carwas ideal for Through the 1980s the Chapter ran numerous the purposeand we lookforward to seeing its appearance excursion trips, usually with Amtrak equipment. We on the big silver screen. found that the most popular excursion by far was a We also leased our auxiliary tender to the City of 569-mile, two-day "Cascades-Deschutes" trip to Central Portland, for one dollarper year. It will be used behind Oregon with an overnightstop in Bend. Accordingly, the the City's ex-SP 4449 when it makes its occasional runs Chapter had negotiated in late 1988 with Amtrak for a to various events in the West The4449 travelledto Los chartered train to run there the weekend of April 29 and Angeles in May for the 50th anniversary of Los Angeles 30. Approval had come through quickly, including that Union Passenger Tenninal, along with our of BN, over whose former Oregon Trunk track the train coach/baggage Miln D. Gillespie (ex-SP 3300), which would run alongside the beautiful Deschutes River. accompanied it as faras Oakland. Advertising and publicity and brochures went out in Each Tuesday is working day for membersinterested early February. Car hosts began their preparations, in restoring and preserving our equipment, and there including CPR training.More than 360 hotel roomswere always is much to be done. Richard Gray has been in booked and the orders flowed in. All was pointing to a charge of the Rolling Stock Committee throughout the sellout, when a phone call from Amtrak on April 11 year. brought the shocking news that BN had withdrawn its On March 11, members participated in the 11th permission to run the special train. Reason for the Annual Swap Meet, held at the Jackson Armory. On The Trainmaster 5 March 1990

April 28 and 29, the Mount Hood and our museum car memberJerry Webb was elected in Atlanta to replace (pNWC 76) traveled to Tacoma, Washington to Hugh Robertson as Regional Vice President for the participate in the Tacoma Chapter's "Railcon '89." Northwest Region. Continuing to serve are Bob Unfortunately,both cars suffered some minor damage Hoffman, president; Chuck Storz, secretary; Rich due to rough handling enroute by freight crews Carlson, national director; and Bob Jackson, Dave inexperienced in handling passenger equipment. Stimac,andJerry Webb, directors. InJanuary 1990,Fred May 19 through21 were the dates for a Transportation Dorsett was elected to fill the director's spot vacated by Fair held at Portland Union· Station. The Chapter's Bill Carter. efforts, headedby Terry Parker, resulted in BN,UP, and As the year ended, things seemed to belooking up on SP all exhibiting engines and cars, including Union the excursion front and plans were underway for a Pacific's only remaining E9, along withthe MountHood two-day trip to Redding, California in the spring. AU and our museum car. It was estimated that over 3,000 Chapter members were keeping their fmgers crossed! persons attended the event. The Chapter library now hasabout 1,000volumes, the largest railroadbook collection in the PacificNorthwest. The Library Committee completed the task of placing Summary of Minutes - Board of our archival collection in covered, acid-free containers and a draft of an Archives Guide was presented by Bob Directors Meeting - February 8, 1990 Weaver to the Board in November.Under Walt Grande's direction,this committee has continuedto do outstanding The meeting was called to order by President Bob work. Hoffman at 7: 10 PM. The Annual Chapter Picnic was held in Washington The Chapter boardpassed the following motionsat its Park on June 23. It coincided with the next-day February meeting: 1) That the Chapter end the leasing of celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Washington a phone for Room 1 and buy a phone. 2) Pay John von Park & ZooRailroad's steamlocomotive, at which event Gaertner $75 for expenses incurred while making the Chapter displayed original casting arrangementsfor the Redding trip.3) Approved a budget patterns.Another Chapter picnic occurred on August 26 for the Redding,CA tripwith a total pass through amount at the live steamers' meet at Shady Dell Park near of$158,OOO,pending approval of the tripby the S.P. and Molalla. recommending the budget to the membership for On September 9, over 40 members traveled by approval. 4) Authorized the library committee to spend chartered bus to Central Oregon to ride the Rimrock up to $500 from its budget for record preservation Scenic Rail Tourtrain on the City of PrinevilleRailroad. materials and supplies for the Chapter library. 5) We had leased the 3300 and 6800to the tourist railroad Designated Terry Parker, Chuck Bukowsky and Rich operation earlier in the year,and this enabled members Carlson to bethe Chapter's official representatives to the to ride our cars both ways on the delightful 16-mile line PDC and the City Council in connection with the which travels through the Crooked River valley of the preservation of seven tracks through Union Station and high desert country. parking in the station area.6) Authorized spending up to Unfortunately,a similar trip planned on the Oregon $1000 from the contingency fund to cover expenses of Coastline Express between Tillamookand Wheelerwas setting up the bond sales program for development of the canceled when the railroad'sonly locomotive developed Chapter passenger car fleet. 7) Authorized payment in very serious mechanical problems, forcing an early advance of one year's rent to the Columbia Gorge Model cessationof operation for the year. Railroad Club for use of the club's room for Chapter In September Amtrak donated a 1941 International board meetings. 8) Authorized Richard Gray to "mule" to the Chapter, along with other investigate selling the Chapter owned lathe now located baggage-handling equipment. We continue to collect in the Brooklyn roundhouse. items for the railroad museum that has long been one of Excursions: Bill Carter reported that approval of the the Chapter's primary goals. S.P. is stillneeded to proceed will finalarran gementsfor On October 3, MountHood departed Portlandbehind the Redding, CA Amtrak excursion. Bill presented the the Coast Starlight for the American Association of board a tentative budget for the trip with a break even Private Railroad Car Owners convention held October point at 372 passengers. 4-8 in San Diego. Those who were on this trip had a Bond Sales Program: AIMcCready reported that the thoroughly enjoyable time aboard our "flagship" car. bond sales committee has con- ferred with the rolling In November, Chapter elections were held. New stock,excursion and finance committees. All have re­ officers were Bill Carter as vice president and Maxine commended pursuing thebond proposal. Counselwill be Rodabaughas treasurer,with two new directors-at-large, retained to answer any questions aboutthe program. The Chuck Bukowsky and Jerry Schuler. Meanwhile, major railroads are generally looking favorably on

------March 1990 6 The Trainmaster

allowing operation of a Chapter owned excursion train. reportedthat the boardat itslast meeting approved hiring Bob Hoffman advised that the Chapter will have attorneys to advise the Chapter on procedures and the considerable liability insurance cost for an excursion Oregon law involved in setting up bond sales. A formal train of its own. Discussion by the boardmade the point prospectus will be prepared, with the approval of the that the value of the Chapter's cars will back the sale of membership, in about one month. Over 150 favorable bonds. Richard Parks commented that the Chapter's replies have beenreceived in answer to thequestionnaire present volunteer work force is too small to complete sent to the membershipon the bondprogram. The rolling work on the cars by May and that it may be necessary to stockcommittee is preparing a detailed car improvement hire some of the work done. program which will be included in the prospectus. Rolling Stock: Richard Gray reported that the cost of the two trucks from the Mt. Rainier RR. will be$4500 Respectfully submitted, Chuck Storz, Secretary plus transportation cost of $375. Richard, Pete Rodabaugh and Dave Stimac are workingon a marketing plan for the carMt Hood. A 40 year inspection may be done on the carthis year if little or no use is booked. The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 PM. Respectfully submitted, Chuck Storz, Secretary

Summary of Minutes - Regular Chapter Meeting - February 26, 1990 I think maybe over here... One Saturday in January, during lunch at the The meeting was called to order by President Bob Semaphore, Kenn Lantz and I got to talking about the . Hoffman at 7:32 PM. old Carver line. Treasurer Maxine Rodabaugh reported a balance of We left after eating, with my pulse pounding at the $21,754.17 in the Chapter's checking account as of thought of discovering some new insight on local rail 2(26/90. trivia, and met at Southgate theater. Directly behind the The membership passed following motion at the warehouses is where Stephen Carver's Portland and February meeting: Authorized the Chapter board to Oregon City RRcrossed under the Southern Pacific main engage attorneys to assist with details of the bond sales line. The site underwentour intense scrutiny. plan and to prepare the prospectus for the plan. The next stop was Kenn' s apartment, to round up NRHS Northwestern V.P. Jerry Webb reported that pictures of the line for reference. Kenn has spent quite a national officers are concerned about loss of bit of time researching abandoned rights of way. He's membership and feel that more young membersneed to gathered maps, pictures, and histories from various be recruited. archivesaround the Northwest his place looksas though Rolling Stock: Richard Gray reported that the two it were a museum curator's office, in which one could passenger trucks have arrived in Portland with a total easily spend a weekend looking back at what once was. cost of just under $5 000.Ideas for marketing the carMt. With photos in hand, we then followed the remaining Hoodare being explored with 1990 activity to bemostly traces out to Carver. The old roadbedwas discovered at formulating a marketing program. Marilyn Edgar Rock Creek, downtown Carver, and at Bakers Cabin. suggested publishing a brochureto assist with marketing Some of the pictures were of the high bridge where it the car. crossed the Clackamas River. Allthat is left now is a few Excursions: John Von Gaertner reported that the timbers peeking through the swirling water. brochure for the Redding trip is almost ready. The train My wife often tells me I should have been born 100 will leave Union Station at 7:30 AM. Selling price is years ago,and at times like this I truly whichI had been. $295 double and $325 single which includes all meals Now, I can imagine there are a few more of you out including supper and breakfast in Redding. Bob there who would foam at the mouth at the mere prospect Hofffman announced that the Chapter is planning to run of tracing an old line and finding the exactspot where a a Jazz Specialto Astoria on Oct 6 and 7. It will be atwo stearn engine or a steeple was etched onto a day trip with the CastleJazz Band playing on the train. photographic plate 80 years ago. Swap Meet: Doug Auburg reportedall 142 tables for I would be interested in organizing a field trip to the meet have beensold with a waiting list for more. Help inspect this turn-of-the-century railroad. If that sounds is needed for setup on the evening before the meet. like a goodplan to you, call me at my home phone, (503) Kerrigan Gray reported for PRPA that last week the 281-1824 and leave your name and number on the SP&S 700 passed its FRA boiler test and inspection. machine andI'll get back to you with the details. Bond Program for Car Improvement: Bob Hoffman -MichaelCallanan The Trainmaster 7 March 1990

NEWS-HISTORY-TRAVEL

[Editor's note: The following ends, and perhapsthe ceilingof this piece by Donald D. Snyder was car as it was pilingup. When he said submitted by Chapter member V.H. Wrong he thought he was okay, I said, Perry, retired SP engineer.] "You picked the wrong car, didn't you?" He answered, "Wrong car, 951 was the first year of Train hell- I picked the wrong train!" 1dieselization of through freight About this time, the conductor service on Southern Pacific's Silc­ arrived after walking up from the siyou line between Oregon and Glendale. Normally, we would caboose. We decided to leave the California. A-B-B-A sets of EMD have had work at Glendale, but this amputee in the boxcar while the two F7 covered wagons replaced the 2- day we did not stop, and entered the brakemen went back to set the 10-2 F-class that had held sway isolated Cow Creek canyon at necessary handbrakes on the ftfty since the demise of the 4000-class Rueben for twenty-some miles. As cars still on the tracks to hold them 2-8-8-2 AC cab-aheads in 1947. we were just leaving tunnel 5 the on the slight descending grade. The This eliminated the 2-8-0 helpers train went into emergency. Since conductor, engineer, and I went between Grants Pass and Glendale, we were unable to restore the air, I back to the derailed cement hopper but helper service remained at tied the engines down and the and dug down in the ballast where Roseburg and Ashland. engineer,head and swing brakemen the was buried and shortly Since I was nearing promotionto (who were riding in the engine) and found the culprit ten inches of engineer, I bid off the still-steam I walked back through the 4OO-foot flange was missing. Track forces Roseburg helpers onto the tunnel to see what was wrong. In found it a few days later on the Roseburg-Ashland pool to learnall this ftrst year of diesels, we did not horseshoe curve at Wolf Creek, I could about these new "black as yet have train radio, so we could about 15 miles before the widows," as we called them. not notify the conductor. derailment! One summer day we left As we came to the west portal of When the brakeman returned, it Ashland en route to Roseburg with the tunnel, here was the last car of took all ftveof us to carry and hand a 100-car drag of empties to our Grants pass pickup, a cement the amputee and his skateboard exchange for eastbound loads and hopper,with the back truck derailed through the pile-up into the empties along the way. We made a just at the beginning of the tunnel impaired clearance of the tunnel set-out at Medford and picked up guard rail. The right rear wheel was and to hoist him up the sideladder behind the remaining empties. With buried deep in the ballast Behind of the rear F7 cab unit, which was delays from Medford road this car was a terrible mess! Eleven still in the tunnel. We then tied switchers and our air test, we were 50-foot boxcars were scattered down the derailed hopper, cut off at Medford quite a while. When we every which way - some were the head seven cars, and pulled arrived at GrantsPass we tiedup on down in Cow Creek, others were up ahead to the phone at Brandt siding the mainline and went to eatWhen on the embankment abovethe main about a mile away. we returned, we made our set-out line. The conductor called the and made a pickup of eight cars on When I saw this, it suddenly dispatcher in Eugene and infonned the point this time. This placed the dawned on me that somewhere in him of our mishap. It was remaining empties for Riddle and this mess was a legless man on a concluded that this mess would Dillard behind our eight-car pickup. skateboard! I wasthe only one who have to be cleaned up by the During the hop-picking season had seen him being loaded. When I Ashland hook because the Eugene at Grants Pass, there were many told the rest of the crew, we knew hook would be in the tunnel. The itinerants who came to Grants Pass we had to search for him at once, rear50 cars would have to bepulled for the work. Some were winos who since we hadn't stopped since he back to Ruebenor Glendale to clear hung around the water tank at was loaded at Grants Pass. the path for the hook. The Grants Pass. As we were making We started climbing among the dispatcher told us to leave our our air test before leaving Grants wreckage, searching each car as we flagman out and he would send the Pass, I saw two winos carry a got to it. Right in the middle of this track walker down on this motorcar legless man on a skate platfonn pile-up was a boxcar with both to pick him up and take him back to over and load him in one of the trucks mlsslOg and sitting Glendale, where someone would empties behind our pickup. This crossways on the main track,and in take him to Roseburg by auto. was not an unusual event, so I the doorway satour amputee on his We were instructed to take the dismissed it from my mind. skateboard He looked dazed, but transient amputee to Riddle aboard We left Grants Pass for the 2-1/2 seemed unhurt I guess he had the engine, where he would be met hour grindover the hills 32 miles to skated all over the walls, floor, by the sheriff s deputy stationed

- March 1990 8 The Trainmaster

Wrong Train, from page 7 Betty there. He would take the transient f the many students that I had, their mouths fall open and the to the hospital for checking over there were many that turned startled looks on the construction before releasing him where food a outO to be what I considered very workers faces to see a 24-year-old shelter were available. An good enginemen. Betty was one of young lady running that great big able-bodied transient could survive the best A personable, intelligent freight train. in the isolated canyon, but not young lady, she picked the work up Later, Betty had been with me someone on a skateboard. fast and easy. for some time as a trainee before When we arrived Riddle the When she came out with me the going to the school in St Paul. Out deputy was waiting with his patrol ftrst time she said that she had not of Vancouver she was running the car and we handed the amputee only never ridden on an engine in engines. We got to Mt. Pleasant to down from the engine cab. This is road service, but had never even pick up a few cars when the the last I ever saw of him, but I did ridden on a passenger train. Dispatcher called on the radio. He hear he was only bruised from his However she had been helping asked me if I could make the next experience. Hostler so she was familiar with the siding at a certain time for a Our derailment completely shut controls. Her ability became merchandise train that was on a fast down both passenger and freight apparent after the ftrst trips as an schedule. I replied as to what time trafficon the Siskiyouline for three observer, so I started her on the we would be there and he said, days beforethe Ashland hoodcould right side earlier than usual. She "Okay, I'll let you go on, but try not re-open the track, working from the proved a point that I had been to delay them." When we were west end only. saying for some time. Which was, ready to leave, I asked Betty to let Anyone working 41 years in that when me take engine service will be involved in a they started over, number of derailments. Most hiring thinking that quickly fade from memory. But I women for I could make always remember the derailment train it over there where the legless man on the skate service, that a littlefaster. platform took the wrong train! they should We took off - Donald D. Snyder be up in the as fast as I engines. could. Then, Mr. Perryadds: Women can as we were I remember this event becauseI fly just getting was the fireman on an extra west airplanes, up speed, that was to meet the train in the drive cars there was a article at West Fork, two stations and there big east of where the derailment was less physical and more mental explosion and the cab filled up with occurred. When they didn't show work in engine service. This along smoke. Betty and the brakeman up, our conductor, OF. Michel, with a certain amount of went out around the frontof the unit called the dispatcher and was told coordination and feel of what the and I can still see them through the to tie up at W est Fork until further train was doing behind is what windshield laughing at me in the notice. We spent that night and all made a good engineman. smoke trying to get that train the next day at the old West Fork Of course we had some fun stopped. When we got stopped, the Hotel until they cleared the track things happen. We were going west frrst thing that they said was, "We and we could continue our trip to coming into North Bonneville early thought you were going to get us Ashland. one morning when I got the bright there a little faster than this." So the I remember the date, October 2, idea that all the construction laugh was on me this time. 1951, because the next day we spent workers who were building the What had happened was that in the hotel lobby playing pinochle power house would be going to there was an electricalshort and fife waiting for the relief crew to clear work across the tracks about the in the high voltage electrical the track was the day Bobby time we were going by. So I told cabinet so that was the end of using Thompson hit the home run "heard Betty to get over here and sit down the lead unit for power. The 'round the world" to give the New on the engineer's seat This was controls still worked through to the York Giants the National League before she got adept at running the trailing units so after the smoke pennant for 1951. That was train. Then I said, "Now open the cleared out we took off again, October 3. window and wave at all those guys delaying the "Hot Shot" some, but I also remember that one of our that will be along side the tracks, it was a nice quiet trip the rest of the brakemen was Lloyd Wolfe, who and with lots of whistle." She did way, however not toofast had come to the SP from the SP&S. just that and I stood back where -KennyPrager I wonder ifKen Prager may have they couldn't see me and watched workedwith him. The Trainmaster 9 March 1990

When Railroads Lured People (Part 2) SPNarrow ife was not easy for the im­ immigrants had obtained from the migrants lured to the upper federal government. So James J. Gauge Steam in U.S.L Midwest Asone who had set­ Hill, who built the GN, offered tled in 1881 wrote to a friend back through tickets from Europe to Oregon home, "On the whole it seems a Minnesota,then importedthe finest es, the Southern Pacific did good deal easier to make a living purebredcattle and gave them away have a narrow gauge steam here in Dakota, but there are many to the new farmers. Loans were locomotiveY operating on three-foot hardships."He advised his friend to arranged and prizes offered forbest trackright here in Oregon! consider the matter twice before exhibit of grain grown on farms Now, before you say the old boy leavingthe Fatherland. within 25 miles of the GN. has fmally slipped his trolley, read Many did resist the call of the A wide variety of Old World on. The facts come from no less an new land, but thousands of others nationalities populated Minnesota. authority than the Southern Pacific flocked to this country. A story The farmers spawned towns, some Bulletin of June 1952. about immigrants in the U.S. became medium-to-large cities, Under the title "Maria's Work Is appeared in Burlington Northern's with other immigrants starting the One" and written by Howard Bailey employee magazine in 1975. varied services towns provide. (listed as Head Reporter, Portland The story recounted how Some immigrants helped build Division), the story of old "17" is unscrupulous land agents lied about more railroads in the boom years of told. reduced railway fares, how people the 1870s and '80s. First, some history. Maria was a in other countries were made There were hard times to follow lady of distinction. She came to impossible promises by fellow the boom. Many houses stood Oregon from the SP's Keeler countrymen in order to deliver empty after it ended. Wheat prices Branch in eastern California's them into the hands of dishonest fell, together with too many towns Owens Valley. She was "born" in land agents. A commission system and businesses. So folks moved 1910 on the old Carson & Colorado on tickets and baggage charges was again, following the railroads into railroad running between Mound a powerful inducement to cheat, eastern Montana, the railroads House, Nevada and Keeler. The according to the story. again tempting the disappointed to line later was purchased by the Travel on the railroad across "come on" with new land bonanza Southern Pacific. America to "the promised land" promotioncampaigns. During the Depression years was in "Zulu" cars, which were Living in Montana on small narrow gauge mileage was greatly transformed from earliest-day farms was not easy. Crops did reduced and much of the rolling coaches. Later, specially designed provide a goodliving between1910 stock was idle. Then along came sleepers were built with double and 1917, but drought years, hail, World War II and an urgent need berths but no mattressesor bedding. and the--fact that farmers had for a steam plant at the SP yards in All earthly possessions were plowed deep into Montana soil, left Salem. Well, old Maria was still carried free by some railroads, no grass to hold the rich topsoil. hale and hardy. She hitched a ride including livestock. The ride was The wind simply blew it away. on a flatcar and came north, from long and seldom smooth, but none Grasshoppers came next They sunny, dry desert to green, wet seemed to mind. helpednot one bit Half the farmers western Oregon. Waiting for her Temporary lodgings were lost their land and many left the was her very own three-foot-wide provided at the end of some trips. stateaboard the same trainsthat had stretch of track. She got her boiler The CB&Q offered free short-term brought them west Asthe BN News pressure up to 147 pounds and kept accommodations at "Immigrant story said, "Behind they left it there 24 hours a day pumping fuel Homes" in Lincoln, Burlington and deserted farm buildings, doors oil, heating buildings, and a few other places. hanging on one hinge in the providing steam to clean her big Frequently, due to lack of lonesome Montana wind." sisters. experience in farming the type of By adapting, and taking over But some time after the War soil in Nebraska, the settlers went land left by others, those who ended, her services were no longer through hard times. In some cases, stayed eventually enjoyed success. needed. No date was given, but she the railroad provided food to help, Thepioneer aspectturned to settled fmally gave out her final plume of not to be paid for.. "until life with frame houses surrounded smoke, the steam pressure dropped circumstances permit." by trees replacing log cabins and to zero, and Salem Yard carmen All the transcontinental sod houses. The American West fired up acetylene torches and railroads but the Great Northern had been successfully reduced old 17, Maria, to scrap - gained revenue from the sale of colonized.. .in a large measure and her fmal resting place on land. The GN had to depend on through the help of the railroads. Memory Siding. earnings from freight provided by -Jerry Webb -JerryWebb products from farmland the (To be continued)

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Activities: Esther Rosu, 659-5157 President: Bob Hoffman - 654-0914 Meeting Program Coordinator: 14105 SE Laurie, Milwaukie, OR, 97267 Vacant Vice President: Bill Carter - 646-8116 Bylaws: Vacant 13915 SW Stirrup St, Beaverton, OR 97005 Concessions: Marilyn Edgar, 236-7271 Secretary: Chuck Storz - 289-4529 Excursions: Bill Carter, 646-8116 146 NE Bryant St, Portland, OR 97211 Fi nance: Dave Van Sickle, 297-3807 Treasurer: Maxine Rodabaugh - 253-4241 Library & Historical Foundation: Walt Grande, 2315 SE 104 th Dr. Portland, OR 97216 246-3254 National Director: Rich Carlson - 292-0975 Membership: Fred Dorsett, (206) 256-4981 9110 NW Stark Ct, Portland, OR 97229 Museum: Dave Stimac, 288-2421 Directors-at-large: Public Relations: AI McCready, 281-2415 Chuck Bukowsky - 284-7277 Publications: IrvEwen, 232-2441 3004NE 28th Ave., Portland, OR 97212 Rolling Stock: Richard Gray, 656-0260 Fred Dorsett - (206) 256-4981 Chief Mechanical Off. : Bob Jackson, 233-2667 P.O. Box 242, Vancouver, WA 98662 Car Rental Agent Carl Rodabaugh, 253-4241 Bob Jackson - 233-2667 Ad Hoc "Union Station": Terry Parker, 284-8742 21 31 SE Tenino St, Portland, OR 97202 Ad HocProperty Development: AI McCready, Jerry Schuler - 285-7941 281-2415 2034 N Webster St, Portland, OR 97217 Chapter representative, Portland Rail Equipment David Stimac - 234-6967 Advisory Group: Bob Hoffman, 659-0914 2211 SE 26th , Portland, OR 97214 Chapter representative Northwest Rail Museum Jerry Webb - 298-8163 Board: Chuck Bukowsky, 284-7277 5600Moody Rd., The Dalles, OR 97058

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