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The Train, Sheet
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FEATHER RIVER RAIL SOCIETY PORTOLA CALIFORNIA VOLUME No.4 No.2 MARCH APRIL 1986 ISSUE No. 18 Feather River Rail Society Preserving "The Feather River Route" (j!WPLIVES The FRRS, a tax exempt public benefit California Corporation, BOARD OF DIRECTORS is the flISTORICAL SOCIETY ' for President and Founder Norman Holmes ( , the WESTERN PACIFIC RAILROAD 1st Vice President Jim Boynton and operates the PORTOLA RAIL- 2nd Vice President John Ryczkowski ROAD MUSEUM in Portola, Calif. 3rd Vice President Chris Skow Formed in February, 1983 with the purpose of secretary John Marvin preserving railroad history in general arid DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS Western Pacific Railroad history in particular. Treasurer Bill Magazin The WP LIVES in Portola for the benefit of the Membership Charlene Marvin friends of the late great FEATHER RIVER ROUTE. Sales Chris Skow ************ Grounds Hap Manit Single membership dues are $15.00 per Calendar Facilities Jim Ley Year. Our mailing address is Curator Steve Milward FRRS, POST OFFICE BOX #8, PORTOLA, CALIF. 96122 Track Norm Holmes ************ Diesel Dave McClain Our information phone number is 916-832-4131 Steam Jim Boynton ************ Cars John Ryczkowski "THE TRAIN SHEET" is Edited and laid out by Signal Jim Atkins John Ryczkowski, anyone wishing to send in Training John Ryczkowski articles/info please write; THE TRAIN SHEET FRRS LIFE MEMBERSHIP HONOR ROLL ...... Post Office Box 1663, Sparks, Nevada 89432 1. R.G. Flannery, 1986 ************ 2. Robert Dobbins, 1986 Issue Number 18, 700 printed ...... 3. Dave McClain, 1986
FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK MUSEUM CALENDAR FOR 1986 April 26th will mark the opening of our operating , April 19 Work day 6 Social Meeting season with a special day for two groups. A train April 26-27 Special operation, operating dept ing and rules review will be held and this operat training and rules class ing day will be a good shake-down for this season. May 17 Work day 6 operating dept training On May 17th a training class will be held and all rules class 6 OJT training operating crew members, new and old, are urged May 24-25-26 1st Anniversary of Opening, to attend. Everyone working this year will have Operations •.••.•• to pass a 1986 rules test to be eligible for work. June 21 Work day 6 Social Meeting, 2nd A revised book of rules and the SOP of the FRRS training class will be introduced and video tapes will be shown. June 28-29 Operating Weekend Our 1985 operating season was conducted safely July 4-5-6 Operating Weekend and without incident. We need to strive to keep July 12-13 WP Railfan Day, Swap Meet our trains running safely. Our future depends on Operations it. July 26-27 Operating Weekend LAST MEETING August 2-3 Motor Car Races The February 15th Work day and Social Meeting, August 16-17 Operating Weekend, Portola Rail was cancelled due to very bad weather. The few road Days ...... • members who did show up held a "bull" session August 30-31 in Jim Ley's outfit car. September 1 Operating Weekend September 27-28 Operating Weekend NEXT MEETING October 18 Work day 6 Social Meeting Our next social meeting will be held on April December 13 Annual Members Meeting 19th, again at the Portola City Hall at 7:30 PM. Also remember that the third weekend is a Work Hap Manit will show movies of the 1955 flood Weekend .••..•.... in the Feather River Country. Refreshments ' will be served. THE TRAIN SHEET ISSUE No. 18 SHEET TWO
SPECIAL OPERATIONS DAY TELEPHONE AT MUSEUM Saturday, April 26th, will be our first operating We now have a telephone at the museum. The day for 1986. Two groups will be visiting the number is 916-832-4131. Phones are located in museum and have requested that our train the gift shop, the main shop area and in Jim be in operation. The Elks will have a Ley's outfit car. Jim will be answering the convention in the area and a railfan group from phones and glad to answer your questions and Salt Lake City will arrive on Amtrak in Reno, give museum updates as to activities ..•.•••. rent vans and tour the museum and the Feather Later an answering machine will be installed River Country. We will need a full crew to op with a recorded message about museum hours, erate the train. Please let Norm Holmes know etc ...... by April 25th if you are going to be able to help.
MEMBERSHIP FLIMSIES! ••••••• All members that have not sent in your 1986 dues A Newsletter of Western Railroading .•...... this is the last issue you will get until you renew. This small computer printed newletter is set to We hope all 1985 members will send in their 86 come out at the first and fifteenth of each dues as you'll be missing some great articles month to bring up to date rail news while it coming up in the SHEET and we need your help is fresh. The FLIMSIE will complement the to keep WP alive in 86 and the future ..•••. CTC BOARD and PACIFIC RAIL NEWS and WP LIVES ••••••• SEE YOU IN PORTOLA •••• keep everyone informed ...•. To Subscripe •••• 12 issues for $8.00 ..... Media Express Productions 953 Mountain View Dr Suite #177 Lafayette, Cal 94549 And Around The Museum ••••••••••••
With all bad weather very little is being done around Portola, other than on good days. Much track work .needs to be done and with more equipment coming we will be needing the space. On April 3rd Union Pacific Caboose #25049 rolled into the museum, it needs some work, paint inside and out, windows, plus one body panel is rusted out. One more project.....• On projects later in this issue member Jack Palmer is going to handle coordinating projects, please answer Jack if you would like to help •••••••• Also we now have a out side braced WP box car body thanks to the efforts of John Ryczkowski and the City Of Tracy, Calif. This car converted into a outfit car from a 15000 series alB box car blt in 1916 by Pullman, has been used as a stor age shed at the Tracy Police Pistol Range. We hope to have the car moved by mid May up to Portola and set on a Flat car. It's only the body but it's in good shape and all the hardware is in place. By welding it to the frame of a flat car we'll have an instant box car. The box car doors will need to be rebuilt and with Norms wooden box car, the FRRS has both types of early WP wooden box cars...... ~ .. A SURVEY FOR THE READERS OF THE nTRAIN SHEETn Here is the report as to the final tally on the questions I asked the members about the FRRS and the SHEET. 10. Member due to emphasis on WP at the museum •••• Thanks again for the time taken in answering and all 70% Yes 26% No the comments••••••••.•••• 210 surveys are in and counted, 11. Member due to WP info in SHEET not the museum. all members did not culswer each question and the % 28% Yes 63% No is based on 210 •••••• SKI . 12. Member because of the museum, not WP •••• 1. Are you pleased with the equipment acquisitions? 40% Yes 48% No 92% Yes 5% No 13. The SHEET to have more WP news less museum .•••• 3. Are you pleased with the "TRAIN SHEET"? 28% Yes 54% No 96% Yes 2% No 14. Current info on the WP equipment and operations••• 5. Do you feel it keeps you in touch with activities? 78% Yes 12% No 96% Yes. 1% No 15. Members that are a modeler •••••• 6. Do you rely on the SI;IEET to remind you of dates, 72% Yes 10% No of meeting and operations •••••• 16. Members that model WP mainly •••••• 62% Yes 28% No 30% WP Modelers 7. Bulk Mailing OK •••• 17. Would you like WP modeling articles in the SHEET? 86% Yes 4% No 68% Yes 19% No 8. Pay extra for 1st class mailing •••• 18. The FRRS to back WP models •••••• 42% Yes 47% No 65% Yes 10% NO 9. Being the WP Historical Society••••• 19. 87 members would like to join the operating dept. 99% Yes • 005% No (1) and go thru the training program ••••••••••• DONATIONS Diner Becomes Wedding Chapel •••••••• A tip of the hat is due the following individuals for the donation Union Pacific trainman Jim Scott and Diana Silva selected romantic Valentine's of time and items to help keep our Society and the museum go- Day for their wedding. They also chose to ing and growing ...... have their wedding ceremony preformed in our Santa Fe diner at the museum. Nearly Joe Way--for keeping our membership roll up to date on his two dozen friends and relatives attended computer and doing the mailing labels ••..•.• the event in the decorated car. Cake and John Marvin--for his many journeys from Quincy to meet with strawberry bunch was served to the guests along with coffee provided by Hap Manit. the Portola City Council and directors activities ••••.... Hap and his wife Evelyn, good family Charlene Marvin--for her work in the membership dept ...... friends were responsible for the arrange Hap Manit--donation of many items and always being on hand ments. It was truly an interesting use of our car •..•.. when needed and doing tours •..•.... ChrisSkow--for traveling all over at his own expense gIVIng lectures and setting up booths at railfan events to promote Fire Extinguishers Donated •••••• Thanks to the generosity of Del Monte the Society and sell merchandise. Chris donated the cost of at Walnut Creek, Cal. through the efforts printing and mailing the gift shop catalog, postage, phone calls, of Shannon Smith, who sells fire extinguish 1086 8x10 color prints, 2050 timetables, etc .....•.•.. over $4500.00 ers, we now have two large C02 extinguish ers. They were delivered to the museum by Norman Holmes--donated a 1945 Fairmont A-3 track car, cable Tom Moungovan, April 12. for Burro crane, contributed the charges for phone calls, drove 15,000 miles doing museum business, many hours writing letters, WP STEEL CABOOSE Update•••.•• plus $500 + for misc. items needed .••.•...•.. We are looking to a late this year delivery George Comer--donating many railroad "paperll . items and his date for the WP cabooses with the wooden one to follow. All members that have a cost of phone calls and letters to research the Army car .•.•.... reservation will receive a note from me John Ryczkowski--many hours writing letters, phone calls, travel about your reservation. Please advise if on museum business, working on and doing the TRAIN SHEET, by the next SHEET you have not heard from me if you want one •..•. SKI plus doing the WP models and now working on training ....•• John and Dave McClain are leaving for Salt Lake City to go New WP Models ••••••••••• to KCC on ALCa parts, UP for GP-7 and GP-20 parts. Model Traction Supply Co is doing the SN trailers used by the WP on the High Line.' Dave McClain--put a 55 gal drum of oil in 2001, worked on Only 75 models' will be made. and you the engines of the museum and the expense of travel...... can reserve them now. Out by Oct. Many others have contributed also during the year---to all, your generosity is greatly appreciated ...... FRRS THE TRAIN SHEET ISSUE No. 18 SHEET THREE GIFT SHOP REPORT by Chris Skow Events Leading to the birth of the WESTERN Our new 1986 merchandise catalog is being mailed with the PACIFIC •••••• In 1900 two events occurred that were to TRAIN SHEET and as you can see we have expanded our line of have tremendous long range influence upon goodies offered to you. Also if you look at the prices you western railroading. During the year George will see that we offer just about everything at a discount. Gould's Missouri Pacific began to buy stock in Denver 6 Rio Grande and the latter rail You help us grow by buying our merchandise and we help road commenced heavy purchases of Rio you by giving a discount. As time goes on I will be adding more grande Western holdings. With this move, and more items to the ever growing list. In time I want us to the young man made his move to fulfill the transcontinental aspirations so long be the number 1 gift shop and mail order museum in the Western entertained by his father, Jay Gould. States. I want to have more of a variety than any other railroad The August death of C P Huntington museum. and leaving to his estate 40,000 shares of Southern Pacific stock: now up for grabs. This months specials ....•..•..•.• Shortly Harriman 6 Kuhn, Loeb 6 Co. went OVERLAND TO THE ROCKIES is a 104 page book which is a after Huntington interest in an attempt to 240 photo pictorial covering the western railroad scene including obtain control of Central Pacific and before finished had to buy the whole SP system. WP-UP-SP-BN 6 DRGW. 12 pages are devoted to the WP. In May of 1901 George Gould gained List price is $14.95 softbound--Our special is $10.50 .•...... control over the entire Rio Grande system GOLDEN STATE RAILS is a softbound pictorial covering Calif. giving entry to Utah transportation picture which angered Harriman who now was able railroading from the 60' s to the 80' s. to close the Ogden gateway bottling up List price is $8.95--0ur special is $6.95 ....•...... 06 RG thus forcing Gould to build to Calif. BELT BUCKLE SALE •••.•..• check out the buckles in the catalog Excerpts from "REBEL OF THE ROCKIES" that we have for sale. Take the price listed (which is discounted) a book by Robt G. Athearn as done by and subtract $1.25. George Comer •••••••••••••• HAT SALE •...... Again check out the hats we have offered in our new catalog and subtract $1.00 from the price. Remember, California residents must add 6% sales tax and every SOUTHERN SALES •••••••••• This is just to let the members know one please add postage. that we are keeping WP ALIVE in So Cal THESE SPECIALS ARE GOOD UNTIL MAY 15th by selling our museum merchandise at shows I would like to welcome member David Dodds to my sales staff. down here in So Cal. On March 1st we made $338.98 at Orange Empire Railway's museum. He and his crew will be setting up booths at most railfan On March 8th we made $300.93 at the shows and swap meets in the Southern Cal area and will have ' Santa Fe modelers swap meet. A total of most of our merchandise on sale at these meets. $639.91 so that is a good start for keeping WP ALIVE ••••••••• Member Vickie Krois will be again operating the gift shop Thank you members, on most weekends through the tourist season. She did a fine job Dave Dodds last year and I welcome her back. Bob Thrasher Anyone that thinks they might enjoy working in the gift shop Bill Marshall please drop me a line ...... Please feel free to pass out our new 86 catalog to your friends. If you need extra copies just let me know. REMEMBER-Help us grow, buy from us!!! WP LIVES IN PORTOLA .....
WESTERN PACIFIC DEPOTS Norm Holmes IF YOU LIKE FREIGHT CARS LIKE I LIKE In Western Pacific's early days, nearly every siding between FREIGHT CARS ••••...•.••••...• Oakland and Salt Lake had a depot. Today only nine remain: OAKLAND- --original depot now in use as a restaurant Then you need to know about two groups that are doing something in STOCKTON ---original depot is now a youth center the much needed freight car area •. SACRAMENTO---original depot is now a restaurant 1. FCDX, WITH A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE FREIGHT CAR DATA EXCHANGE, MARYSVILLE---original depot is now in use as an architect's GOOD MODELING AND PROTOTYPE INFO •. office 2. FREIGHT CARS JOURNAL, Published OROVILLE---original depot is now a restaurant by the Society of Freight Car Historians, mostly prototype data GREENVILLE---original depot is not in use and an effort is now on whats up in new or used freight underway to save structure, may be moved equipment, with a little modeling. PORTOLA ---original depot demolished, current depot in FCDX, Annual is $5.00 P. O. Box 711 railroad use since 1964 Cotati, Calif. 94928 GERLACH---current depot built when original was demolished FCJ, Annual is $12.00 P.O. Box 1458 ELKO---depot built in 1940's after original demolished, now Monrovia, Calif 91016 Ski State of Nevada property following relocation The following have added a nlittle extran along with their 1986 dues. We appreciate your help. It takes money to improve and maintain our museum. We are still in need of funding to pay for the Santa Fe diner, WP baggage car and the steel REA car. Painting of one of the Alco RS-3' s and WP 2001 are planned for this year, at a cost of paint alone of about $500.00 ••••.
Mark Acuna Craig Ferguson Fred. Klyver O. \rJ. Perry Mike Anders on Geroge Fiene Tom Lawler Don Richmond James Atkins John Flower Ray Lindblom R. J. Beall Pat Flynn Richard Rowe Gary Lower Ted Benson Jerry Foote Rmbert Sarberenyi William Marshall Drew Blanchar William Garner ID:i Slintak Willis Marshall John Bonwell Warren Gibson Don St. Denis John MeC ormick Jim Boynton Charles Givens Daniel Stoleson Earl McKenzie Gregory Brown Kenneth Gosch David Tateorian Jerry Mc Queen Don Brown Steve Habeck Stan Thomson vJerner Meer Roy Cameron Richard Hall Gael Troughton Tom Messer Geroge Comer Robert Hanft Steve Unger Heyers Family Don Davella Stan Hedlimd Steve Van Deriburgh John Miller Elmo Dito William Hess John Vollet Roy Deskin Wayne Monger Helen Walker Richard Holmes Richard Morgan Bobert Dobbins Henry Hultgren Joe Way Tom Moungovan Jack Dorithy W. R. Janowski Jerry Williams Ruedi Muller Don Douglas Bob Jekel Eric Wright Andre Dubs Don Olsen Tom Yagerhofer Bill Kepner Jack Palmer David Eatmon Michael Knight Harold Yount
HELP WANTED •••••••
The projects listed need our per Please bear in mind that what THE DIESEL INJECTOR sonal attention. We need YOU to we accomplish and enjoy to-day will help in any of these areas. It will be shared and enjoyed by those who be noted that many are small pro will come after us. WP LiVES ..... by Dave McClain jects which can be completed with in a few days by one or two people. ONE OR TWO PERSONS .... The weather has really been wild . However, the larger projects will Remove parts from 6912 up here at good old Portola. The require a team effort. Each team Clean a paint 0912 snow was falling so hard in Feb., should be directed by adequate Prepare for painting WP 2001 that the only real work done was supervision to over-see the work on WP 1074 KCC 2 a 908 to extract my truck and a car out that project. Dept Directors will Complete interior SP 1345 of the mud with the help from Jim will fill that role. Sand a paint file cabinets and the Burro. The Society meeting Our society now numbers more Install basin, bowl a shower was cancelled along with all work. than 600 members! While we real- Install drinking fountain March was a different story. ize that the majority of the res Build shelves in storage room During the winter water froze in ponsibilities rests with members and box cars a lower water pipe that runs be close to Portola. There are many Seal a stain tables tween the engine and the air com of us who must travel long dis Repair SN 1632 steps pressor on 2001 causing a break. tances to participate in our functions. Prepare Diner for use With the .help of Doug Jensen we Since "Many hands make light work" Install new directional signs removed the fitting for repair. Also it is sincerely hoped that each Help SKI in painting cars Doug almost single handedly took member will participate in this work on the job of. replacing the air plan in any way that he/she can ... TWO OR MORE compressors head gaskets. They both Whether it be for one day, week Remove engines from 6912 leaked badly putting water into the end (s) or part of your vacation Unload rail from 6550 air system. time, at his/her convenience. Build rip track connection Now the 2001 is in the engine In order that we may plan an install WP/UP heralds on shop house awaiting a battery charge and effective work schedule, please Set up tank car for fire service start-up on the work weekend in complete the appropriate items on Replace tracks under WPMW 0912 April. Hopefully during our operations the enclosed self -addressed card after cleaning in April the 2001 will move. With and mail it promptly. Jack Palmer Pick up new sink and install the help of Howard Wise, the master has consented to coordinate this Repair fence around sump electrician from PLA, we hope to function and will record your choice Tamp and align balloon track work on the electrical problem with of assignments on your application Change out axle on KCC 908 the generator loading. If anyone (post card) when received by him. and many more ...... has any ideas please let me know. Earliest postmark will establish pre The 608 and the Alco #2 were ference of work assignments. When both fueled and readied for operations. a sufficient number of applications 921 was also started and run for are received for anyone project, awhile, charging the batteries and Jack will pr~tly notify those air system which now seems to be applicants accordingly. working. · THE TRAIN SHEET ISSUE No. 18 SHEET FOUR
On Feb 28th the Quincy Almost without fail, we have had before, Mr Cowan enjoyed the Elementary School had a Heritage one person stripping the 6912, with experience and looked into every Day with railroads the theme. the help of Jim with the heavy work. part, asking many questions. #8 UP, because of problems due to the Most weekends, and helping in many passed the first inspection with a storms, was unable to participate as other ways possible has been Matt good report and the next step will planned. The day long program was Parker. At times we over look all be another hydro in the near future. the dirty work and notice only the On Feb 7th, John Marvin and Jim taken over by JOhn and JIm who presented the childern with a much appearance, but someone has been went to Pittsburg where they were enjoyed and appreciated ,look into doing it. Good Work Matt. taken by Kenneth Boynton to the Hope to see a lot of you during US Steel Corp for a meeting with railroads. Jim visited the classroom our operations this summer. Remember J R Gibson. They returned with an and talked about safety, history, we have plenty to do, so if anyone 805# roll of gleaming new steel for signals and showed pictures of every phase of railroading. John set up his would like to help out please come #8's boiler facelift. One more step, on up.. With your help we'll have model trains that fascinated the thanks to US Steel in making the classes and the day was topped off the premier Diesel Museum in the restoration jeb A -1. Credit goes to West ••.•••• with slides shown by Jim. Comments Mike A ttama and his father Robert, from the students and teachers were Norm Holmes and Jim for laying that is was the best ever and a day the ground work for the very gen to remember. The two directors UPDATE ON ENGINE #8 erous donation. A special thanks to from the FRRS made many friends by Betty Boynton John who is always willing to make and Jim extended them a special the long hauls for # 8. invitation to visit the museum and Ma Nature's antics the past weeks Al Thomson, Jim Ley, Jim and see the real thing. in Plumas County slowed down work Mike A ttama have removed the On Feb 7a8th, GUNS OF THE days on the restoration of #8. !he turret and main stop valve from TIMBERLAND", starring our own complete stripping job has proVlded 8' s back boilerhead and Jim Ley little "puffer Belly" was shown in everyone with a rare chance to see has delivered same to UP Joe in Quincy. Producer Aaron Spelling what makes a little steamer "perk". Sacramento for expert repair work. could have chosen many locations New problems continue to arise, but The next hydro depends on the com that provided both ranch and moun members of Project Sequoia meet pletion of this work. tain settings••• but our area was the challenges and the real reward Mel Moore and John have com chosen because there was a little will come when the putting back of pleted removal of the jacketing steam engine here, pretty and new and restored parts will make still in place in the cab. Dave perky and ready to go. The the # 8 look like an engine again. Lubliner has drilled out broken excitement it caused in the area Jim met with Dale Cowan, cylinder head studs and they will and the economical impact it creat associate safety engineer of the be replaced. Ken Shipton has spent ed are still talked about. # 8 can State of California on Jan 31st for much time removing layers of old do it again when she is back in a preliminary inspection of # 8' s . paint from the tender with a ro running condition again and will be boiler. Having never seen an engIne tary grinder. a very important attraction. in a "plucked chicken" condition
WESTERN PACIFIC
towns, Dispatch freights, usually To identify "red ball" or fast Jl!JJ.~p.pSls operated over long distances, in freiglit trains, operating depart cl ude shipments of perishables, live A locomotive and a caboose sep ments usually prefer a "symbol," stock, merchandise, and other car- and behind each symbol lies the arated by a string of cars constitute , load and less-than-carload freight a freight train-and to the average story of a freight consist and its that require regular movements on person, including a good many rail importance in moving over the line, fast schedules, Merchandise freights, road employees, thel'e is little to dis Local freights are often given nick or package-car trains, handle small names by the crews and dispatchers tinguish between the thousands of shipments in less - than - carloads, freight trains that carry a ton of handling them, To WP railroaders such as goods in boxes, cra te5, and along the line and in freight service freight 12 miles a day fOt : every man, packages of all kind, Usually these woman and child in the country, the following names are very famil small shipments are consolidated to Actually, there are many types of ial:: but other employees not in di form carloads for various cities, rect contact. will probably be inter freight trains (commonly known to In many parts of the country; train crews as "rattlers"), each per ested 'in our na med and nicknamed there are freight trains which freight trains, forming a particular service or handle one commodity only, such as handling a pai:licular commodity. "CFS," symbol for Cal.i:fornia coal oil livestock, cotton, potatoes, Local freighls may stop at all sta Freight Specicti, operates westbound whe~t, ;nd iron ore, There are phos from Salt Lake City to Oakland, tions and sidings between terminals, phate trains, pulpwood trains, lum picking up loaded and empty cars, often in more than one section, This ber trains and paper trains, There train covers the 928 miles over the placing "empties" where they are are strawberry trains, pineapple wanted, switching cars for on-line line in less than 42 hours, and is a trains, orange trains and banana preferred movement receiving industries and delivering and pick trains, and many others, Schedules ing up less-than-carload (L,C,L ,) special attention, of many dispatch and merchandise "RT," or Rule Ten, also operates shipments, Time freights run be freights aloe now comparable with tween important shipping centers, the passengel' tl"ain schedules of a slopping only at the larger cities and few years ago, Gerlach Turn, operated Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Portola to Gerlach, and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, Gerlach to Portola. In addition to the above named trains, there are of course many special trains and extras, such as stock trains, asparagus and cherry express trains which operate as pas senger movements, drag trains, such as the Nevada Northern Drag which One of Western Pacific'. freight trains passes the Delleker Lumber Company mill at the head of the Feather River CanyCj.!l with a trainload of miscellaneous westbound cargo. hauls coal between Salt Lake City and Shafter for points on the Ne westbound between Salt Lake City a fast schedule from Stockton to Salt vada Northern Railway. There are and Oakland, usually about twice Lake City. This train must be oper also the local trains such as No. 95 weekly and is another preferred ated as "FB" even if only one car and No. 96 between Oroville and train covering the mileage in less of perishables'. is included. During Keddie; No. 93 and No. 94 operating than 48 hours. Its name is derived the perishable season as many as tri - weekly between Portola and hom Rule 10 in the Consolidated five or six sections are operated. . Keddie. Freight Classification, which allows operates Monday, "TV Local" Nothing is too small or too large the mixing of various commodities Wednesday and Friday from Salt for a freight train to handle. Nothing for shipment undel' one rale. Lake City over branch lines to Bur is too fragile or perishable. Whether "SCX," or Southern California mester and Warner, Utah, through the shipment be delicate potted Extra, is a "bridge" train operated the Tooele Valley, from which it re plants or huge steel girders, whether southbound between Bieber and ceives its name. just ripe strawberries or heavy Stockton, making connections with The or Terminous Turn, "Cab tractors, crackers or coal, toys or the Great Norlhern at Bieber and a local freight, oper bage Cutter," turbines, Western Pacific freights the Santa Fe at Stockton. A daily ates between Stockton and Termin are ready to handle them all-and run, it covers the distance in about ous, does switching and icing in what have you? 30 hours. handling perishable movements. "GW S" is a companion train to San Jose-Niles Turn, No. 253 and the "SCX," also operating south No. 254, operates between Niles bound between Bieber and Stock Junction and San Jose on a daily ARE WE COMIHG TO THIS ., lon. The symbol stands for the first schedule. lelter in the names of the three rail River Rock Local, out of Stockton roads operating the height, Great daily except Sunday, runs to River Northern, Western Pacific, and San Rock and return. ta Fe. It operates daily and requires Westwood Turn, operated daily about 24 hours for the run. except Sunday, between Keddie and "SWG," northbound equivalent of Westwood. the "GWS," runs from Stockton to Loyalton .Branch Local, No. 415 Bieber, carrying Santa Fe and WP and No. 416, is ,operated between cars destined for Great Northern. Portola and Loyalton Monday, Wed "NCE," from Northern California nesday and Friday. This line is also Extension, operates as needed from used by the Clover Valley Lumber Salt Lake City to Bieber, handling Co., who operate their logging trains "dead freight" such as coal and steel daily except Sunday between Haw from eastern points. ley and Loyalton. " RBX," the Red Ball Special, Reno Local, No. 219 and 220, op originates at Stockton about 7: 00 erated between Portola and Reno p. m., with connections from Santa daily except Sunday. Fe and runs each night for 7: 00 a. m. spotting in Oakland. "FB," the Fruit Block, operates on
EXISTING WESTERN PACIFIC PASSENGER EQUIPMENT (Heavyweight) by Norm Holmes BLAIRSDEN --Pullman, 1898. Wooden sleeper, lounge, boservation car built for Pullman service as FORTUNA. Renamed in Aug 1910 to BLAIRSDEN and leased to 1--Pullman, 1912. Built for Union Pacific, became a UP WP. Sold in 1922 to dealer, then to Bangor a Aroo business car 101, later 103 a 109. Purchased by WP in stock and renamed PENOBSCOTT. Retired from service August 1971 and numbered WP One. Named FEATHER in 1938 and placed in MW service until retired in 1979. RIVER on the WP and came back to the UP in 1983. Sold to Dwight A Smith, President and GM of Conway Transfered to the MP where it was named KANSAS CITY Scenic RR, in North Conway NH. Restored to serviceable then MP 3. The car is being transfered back to UP condition and named ALMAR. once again and will become UP 105.
MARYSVILLE--Pullman 1898. Same data as above, named 101--Pullman, 1917. Built for James B Duke. Purchased LIBERTAS renamed MARYSVILLE and on BaA renamed by WP in 1927. Sold in 1975 to Railcar Restoration a AROOSTOCK. Now restored and named GERTRUDE EMMA. Development. Sold to McDonald I s in Barstow and placed (if anyone has photos of these cars please let us know on display at that location. Later the car was sold and as Mr Smith would like some) is now at the Spencer Railroad Museum in Spencer, North Carolina. · THE TRAIN SHEET ISSUE No. 18 SHEET FIVE 103--Pullman, 1899. Named GLEN EYRE purchased by WP in 1916, retired in 1942 and used as a women's 315--Same data as 302, (MW 0910), Sold to Norm Holmes lounge at Oroville until sold to Solano in 197L Moved in 1973 and donated to Pacific Locomotive Assoc. Restored to Jamestown as the property of Charles Crocker. and in service with PLA Now owned by the Calif Diyision of Parks at James 316--Same data as 302, (MW 0909) Sold to RRfiD in town. 1975 and stored at Sharp Army Depot and now in 105--Pullman, 1914. Named PHILADELPHIA, purchased Calistoga, Calif. by WP in 1942, sold to Gilbert Kneiss in 1961. Sold in 1978 to Neil Ferguson stored at Jamestown. 320--Same data as 302, Converted to Instruction Car #110 in 1950. Placed in MW service in 1972 as a sleeper-lounge 106--Pullman, 1917. Named PIONEER, purchased by WP for the Oroville Derrick outfit. Becoming WPMW 37-8. in 1942. In Jan 1951 christened CHARLES 0 SWEETWOOD for first WP employee killed in Korean War and converted 402--Pullman, 1888. Wooden combination baggage-coach. to use as a blood bank. Sold to Mr Lummus in 1961, -: sold Built for GfiRG as #812, converted to a comb. in 1905 to Old San Francisco Express in 1984 and moved to as 707, later renumbered to 550. Sold to WP in 1924 for Solano in Oroville for reoairs. repairs use on the Reno Branch. Donated to PCC-RfiLHS, restored to DfiRG 550 and donated to the Sacramento 123--Pressed Steel Car Co., 1923. Steel baggage car used Railroad Museum in Sacramento, Calif. in WP passenger service until 1953, converted to a MW kitchen-diner (MW 0912). Sold to Tracy Rail Car in 1975 403--Rebuilt in 1937 into a wooden combination baggage and sold to a private party the same year. Moved to coach caboose by WP from a 1916 box car at the Sacto. Portola 1985 when sold to FRRS ••••• Shops. Used on the Reno Branch and Westwood local. Renumbered to caboose series (2nd 619) baggage door 126--Same as 123(MW 0915) Sold to Railcar Restoration removed. Sold to Purdy in 1961 and then sold to fi Dev. in 1975 and stored at the Sharp Army Depot, private owners and moved to Little River, Calif. Lathrop. Moved 1986 to Calistoga station complex in Now in use as a retail store. Calistoga, Calif. 591- -Steam generator power car. Original car built for 128--Same as 123, but not converted into MW service, Great Northern who rebuilt it into a steam generator donated to City of Oakland for display in Harrison power car. Sold to WP in 1969 for service on the CZ. Park in 1959. The park is undergoing a change in Sold in 1970 to Great Western Tours, stored in James theme fate of car is unknown ••••• town, Calif. The FRRS would like this car very much ••• !!!! 592--Same data as 591, sold in 1970 to Oregon, Pacific 201--American Car fi Foundry, 1915. Steel Baggage RPO. fi Eastern, Cottage Grove, Or. Used in WP passenger train service until 1953. Converted to a MW kitchen-diner (MW 0916) Sold to RRfiD in 1975 593--same data as 592, in service OPfiE. stored at Sharp Army Depot and moved 1986 to Calistoga with other WP cars. 652--Pullam, 1916 Lounge observation. Used in WP pass enger service until 1950's sold to Mr Lummus in 1963, 202--Same as 201 now in Calistoga (MW 0917) where abouts unknown. (anyone know???)
302-- Pullman, 1923. Coach, used in WP passenger service 653--Pullman, 1913" Lounge observation. Used in WP until donated to Oakland along with 128 for display. service until the 1950' s, donated to Bay Area Electric Fate of car is unknown at this time and again we are Assoc. in 1966. Named FEATHER RIVER and used at the hoping for this car ••••• Western Railway Museum, Rio Vista Jct., Calif.
309--Same data as 302, converted to MW service as a 701-- Pullman, 1920 Standard sleeper. Pullman named it bunk car (MW 0905) Sold in 1976 and moved to Oroville RAMPUR, renamed CLOVER PLOT purchased by WP in Depot and placed in use as a lretail store. 1949 keeping the same name. Retired in 1963 and sold to F L Botsford when sold to Tom Phair in 1968. 314--Same data as 302, Sold to RRfiD in 1975 and stored Stored at Standard until donated to Project 2472 in 1984 in Sharp Army Depot. Sold with other WP cars to new and moved to San Francisco, to be restored. owner and moved to Calistoga. (MW 0902)
COMSINRTION KITCHEN-DININ6 eRR CRR No.J . OS/I .. CD 0914-CO CONVERTEO FROM BRGGRGE SERIES IZI· /4(J OS/2·CO OSIS-CO - BY W,P.R. R. 0913-<:0
ilI--,..---r.=;rn:;r-"'---ID ~------~DR------U
W£ISH'T-6DDY T~(!~KS 1'0 rRt. 102. eoo LiB. Storms are no stranger to Portola and the Feather River Route, the cover shows WP rotary 34 removing 8 to 9 feet of snow from the Portola Yard in January 1952. Again in. 1955 major storms hit the WP and now 1986 will be a big storm year: ...... •..
WESTERN PACIFIC Jl({!!!p,~sts STORM REPORT broke loose which completely dwarfed driving of piles and considerable fill. OT in recent history has the the first. Aided by an enormous port This, too, called for around-the-clock Western Pacific suffered dam able power plant which provided a work by roadway, bridge and building N age to its property to .the extent battery of high-powered floodlights to crews, and bulldozers. It was just prior that occurred during the "lOa-year light up the face of the slide so that to this time that a fine example of flood" and storms which struck North work could continue 24 hours a day, cooperation between railroads oc ern California with a devastating blow the weary crews once again began the curred. Southern Pacific was having during the Christmas holidays. fight against the elements. The face of troubles of its own on the Donner According to measurements taken at the slide had to be re- scaled, huge Summit route. Having no pile driver Bucks Creek' power house about mid imbedded rocks had to be released and of their own readily available, they way between Oroville and Portola, brought down, and bulldozers and borrowed the new Western Pacific die 29.43 inches of rainfall was recorded power shovels began removing tons of sel pile driver which was on routine between December 16 and 26. This earth and rock like a horde of ants maintenance work at Milepost 116.37. brought the flow of water through the working on a picnic lunch. It was hoped J. W. Corbett. Southern Pacific's Feather River to a new high record of that the slide could be cleared once vice - president - system operations, 250,000 cubic feet per second. more for the re-laying of rail by Janu wrote H. C. Munson on December 28 Damage from the 1955 storms to the ary 6, but rain, and even snow, con that "our people who were on the railroad was widespread. Most serious tinued to fall and despite all possible ground cannot speak too highly of the was a major slide in the canyon at human and mechanical efforts the tremendous job which your people, Milepost 250.35, where between 80,000 storms made continuous work impos who were with the driver, did. They and 100,000 cubic yards of decomposed sible. delaying the opening of the line uncomplainingly worked long hours granite and rock slid away from a at this point until 11: 30 p. m. on Janu under very adverse conditions and point beginning about 800 feet above ary 8. their performance was nothing short the railroad to completely cover the The big storm did show conclusively of perfection itself. I wish you would roadbed and the highway below to a . that had it not been for Western Pa extend to them also my sincere appre width of about 400 feet. Actually, there cific's program of preventive mainte ciation." (EDITOR'S NOTE: See Vice were two slides at this location, the first nance which has been aggressively President Munson's letter to WP rail of which occurred shortly before noon pursued in the past eight years in the roaders on Page 18.) on December 22. Heavy earthmoving Feather River Canyon, the damage equipment was brought to the scene When the embankment near Bear and period of traffic interruption would River bridge broke and washed out immediately and WestelTI Pacific crews have been much worse than it was. from many points on the railroad, WP track it was impossible to return Even so, there were other serious the pile driver without a time consum aided by Utah Construction Company interruptions. crews and equipment, had by working ing round-about haul, so SP had an Another major item of damage was around the clock nearly cleared the other of their pile drivers brought from the loss of embankment east of the slide for the re-Iaying of track on De the San Joaquin area for use by WP. Bear River Bridge (Milepost 166.25 to cember 28. About seven o'clock that Some 525 feet of bridge was driven and evening, when the men had left the job 168) where the levee broke at several embankments restored, mostly during for dinner and to service equipment locations about 12% miles west of continuous heavy rainfall and high which had been pulled back from the Marvsville. Three of these were of water between December 26 and Janu immediate slide area, a second slide maj~r importance which required the ary 1. This portion of the railroad was - THE TRAIN SHEET ISSUE No. 18 SHEET SIX
MILEPOSTS FEBRUARY, 1956
reopened to traffic on Sunday, January ings, lumber , etc., was also furnished Beginning January 1, therefore, freight 1. . and rushed to the slide at M ilepost was rerouted via SP or Santa Fe There was also a large washout 70 250.35. Union Pacific, whichever appeared to feet long at the west end of Berry Detailed studies by competent con offer the best delivery prospects at the Creek (Milepost 224.2) where water suiting geologists who made a survey time. ran 20 feet deep. Other serious wash of the slide area at Milepost 250.35 by Under detour arrangements the af outs occurred at the east end of Tunnel helicopter and on foot tell us that rock fected railroad, using its own crews 11 (Milepost 237.33) , at Milepost 225.9, formations at this point a re unstable and power, moves its trains over an and at Pulga (Milepost 239.3) , where and that the only way to avoid the other railroad, employing pilots from possibilit.y of again being blocked there high water ran over both siding the assisting railroad at a standard by future slides is to bore a tunnel rate. Under rerouting the affected rail switches. These washouts were mostly about 3,000 feet long behind the rock due to slides which came down gullies face. Es timated cost of this .tunnel, on road delivers cars of freight and ac and plugged culverts. Between Mile which work has already begun, is companying waybills to the assisting posts 267 and 270 water passed over $1,800,000. It should be completed be railroad which absorbs them with the railroad and washed out track at fOl ·e the next fall season and will be other traffic, delivering back to the three locations. Another condition oc identified as Tunnel 15. (A tunnel first carrier or.connection as instructed curred at Milepost 299.5, where high located between Camp Rogers and -and revenue is adjusted on the basis water eroded the bank and washed Belden, about eight miles east of the of negotiated agreement. In general, away 14 rail lengths. slide, was formerly No. 15, but this was rerouting is not as efficient as detour Other relatively minor trouble spots daylighted following a fire in 1944.) ing because it does not allow the af occurred along the railroad principally All of these expenses must be paid fected railroad to run its trains through due to high water. There was also a for entirely by the railroad because, intact. Neither does it allow the af washout on the San Jose Branch and contrary to some opinions, none of the fected railroad to keep its own train on the Reno Branch which temporarily w idely published government "flood and engine crews at work. closed those lines to traffic, but repairs r elief funds" a re nvailable for such Western Pacific's subsidiary, the were quickly made. purposes. Neither does the railroad Sacramento Northern, also suffered r eceive help from any other outside Financially, the storms delivered a extensive damage, particularly be agency a t any time, such as is fur serious blow. Repairs to roadway and tween Pleasant Grove and Pearson. bridges amount to approximately nished to other forms of transportation w ith which the railroad must compete. Major losses were the 960-foot trestle $400,000, which does not include addi over the South Yuba River and the tional maintenance expenses which 865-foot trestle approach across the will be heavy during several months HEN it became appa rent that Feather River between Marysville and in 1956. The expense of detouring the railroad was in for a pro Yuba City. Considerable trackage at freight and passenger trains and re W longed interruption, it was im one time lay under water, yard and routing freight so that our passengers m ediately decided to protect shippers' and shippers would get the best possi station buildings were inundated, and and passengers' inte rests by effecting much motive power and equipment ble service, plus traffic revenues lost d elivery of all trains as quickly as pos because of the interruptions to service, sible regardless of detours and/ or re was damaged. Track on the Marysville are estimated to amount to $1,160.000. routes necessary and resultant costs approach to the River and 5th Streets No sooner had the storm which and loss of revenues. storage tracks was removed to allow struck the Marysville area been re the Marysville Levee Commission to The Califontia Zephyr trains .wel·e ported than the purchasing department construct a new levee. first r erouted between Stockton and It is estimated that damage to tracks immediately "alerted" supplie rs of va Salt Lake City via the Santa F e and and structures, equipment and com l·ious items of bridge m aterial. With Union Paci fi c through Barstow, Cali munications on the Sacramento North the assistance of the store depa rtlllent, fornia. as the Southern Pacific's line a preliminary estimate was ascerta ined ern will be in the neighborhood of over Donner Summit was also closed $800.000. Not included in this figure of the mate ri al that might be rp
1I.P.1G1 to MP.l1 0 THE GREAT FLOOD OF 1986! Three W",houl.1
When 1986 started, indications MP. 1501 were that it was to be a dry year. Major Rock 51 ide Covering bot.h R.R. The last major storm was in early and 5t.a t.e ~Iighway . November. Then on February 14th, ( Propo,ed Tunnel) a series of storms, fed by tropical moisture from out of the South M.P B9~ Pacific began to drop rain and snow High Water on Northern California. By Feb 16 M.P. m~ {Tunnel II) th some 22 inches of rain had fall Ea3t End WaMJouf en aT Quincy, 44 inches at Bucks Lake. This three day rainfall ex , t.lP · n5~ ceeded the annual rainfall for the Track Wa~hout Loyalton .. area. i Westbound trains were still run Copped irld ning Sunday evening, however storm ,.------conditions in the Feather River Can \ yon were getting worse. The last \ M.p. IG1 Track Wa5hout train leaving Portola was the APOAD Co/If';'" ;II",ryo"lh a double stack container train. The Yuba Ctlx. .-/':V f a.! ArJo,j'O M. P. 1?4.1 last train to go through the canyon For flood Damage Track Washout was the OMW, it was followed 15 in MarY3Ville and Yuba City Area see --fs,,' NicoI8(j:J/ minutes later by the NPST. A ~Gompanyin9 map. bronco was escortinh the OMW with L- the NPST following close enough to eONid.robl. fl ood ./W~dh preclude the use of an escort. (Dur Damage - Plea.5ant ./' ..,00;;' ing stormy weather Hy-Rail vehicles Grove to Pearson escort trains between Poe and Port ola; running two miles ahead of the t rain looking for rocks and washouts M.P.1I9Q that might derail a train. Radio Track Wa~hout contact is maintained each mile between the Bronco and . the train. At Cresta the Bronco encountered ~l;I,V"' rI. . water over the tracks, but the train ' rlS;n~~ J Ihlnci3CO ..p passed over safely. The NPST waited at Tobin for a track inspection, was allowed to proceed to Rock \( i \~1~~ M/~.. Jet Tur/oel< Creek where they were informed ~ , ~\ \ WarmSpn!lfJ ~-______M.P. G~ the track was gone at MP 244. The (((~ 5anJM<" ------Track Washout. APOAD was haIted at Rich Bar with the track ahead and behind washed Map shows loca, ions of major w ashouls, high water and slide along Western Pacific's main line and out. A westbound highliner was halt the Reno and San Jo.e branche • . The ",oin line was reopened on Jonuory 8. Map by E, H, Batchelder. ed at Paxton and a USE was at FEBRUARY, 1956 MILEPOSTS Camp Rogers. It would be two weeks before the line was opened again. In all there were 22 breaks in the dirt mound was bulldozed into the the grade-even after backing two line in the Canyon. Sidings at hole, the track raised and Ok'd miles for a run, had to double the Pulga, Merlin, Camp Rogers, Belden, for service. Washouts also occurred train to Martin. This is probably Virgilia, and Spring Garden were on the top of Peavine Mt. at MP the longest, heavest train ever into out of service because of wash outs 16.75 at MP 14 and at MP2.2. Reno. or slides or both. To date 1800 cars The Reno Local was unable to Highway 70 through the Feather of rip- rap and ballast have been reach Reno Jct for five days. River Canyon closed on Feb 17th due used-another 1100 cars will be On March 9th a cloudburst caused to washouts and water over the road dumped before' the railroad is back Long Valley Creek to rise again, way in numerous locations. It is to where it was before the deluge. this time washing out a fill south still closed to all except residents The line between Stockton and of a trestle at MP 3. The fill was and is not expected to open until Sac also was out of service caused replaced in alittle over 24 hours July 1st!! The road is open between by a break in the Mokelumne River allowing the Reno Local to make its Portola and the Greenville Wye, how dike. The town of Thornton was run to the Jct. Cars destined for ever. At Keddie, the 1955 high water under 17 feet of water, Reno were being held at Salt Lake. mark was under 10 feet of water! The Reno didn' t escape damage On Feb 22th, it was decided to run Power was off to a wide area and either. A major washout occurred all the Reno cars as a solid SLC to many communties were isolated for at MP 4.5 where the tracks cross Reno train, the first ever. 71 loads, several days. But this is railroading Long Valley Creek. The creek, now 6128 tons with only two SD-30's in the Feather River Canyon and a raging torrent, washed out over reached Reno Jct, and finally died there will be other storms ...... 100 feet of fill west of the trestle. on the law at Bordertown, A relief UP customers were not left with Luckily the trestle was unharmed. crew was called and after an unsuc out service as you'll read in Wayne's When the water subsided, a nearby essful attempt to start the train on column. THE TRAIN SHEET ISSUE No. 18 SHEET SEVEN
News of the In the Bay Area, the line through Niles Canyon between Fremont and Plesanton was closed for a few days Wayne Monger due to mud slides, and two feet of Union Pacific News Editor water .running through the 4320 foot CTC BOARD Magazine Tunnel #1. To the east on Altamont Pass there were some minor mud slides, but not enough to close the FEBRUARY FLOODS KNOCK-OUT MAINLINE line. The biggest problem that the railraod had west of the Canyon was As most of all our members have Of the washouts and slides that located at the town of Thornton, 20 heard, or even unfortunately exper closed the mainline in the Canyon miles north of Stockton. There on ienced in one way or another, the all but five were relatively minor Feb 18th the swollen Mokelumne massive storms that hit Northern in size and were either cleared or River brke through three levees, California and Nevada between Feb filled in within a few days. Of the the last one being the one on which 12 and 21st caused severe damage five major washouts three occurred the mainline runs. By the time the to both public and private property. in the stretch known as Serpentine river got finished the town of And of all the railroads in N Calif., Canyon (called this due to the type Thorton was under water along with the former WP mainline through the rock in the area) between Rich Bar the nearby Interstate 5 and almost Feather River Canyon was the hard and Virgilia. About 2 miles east of a mile of track had been washed est hit. Between Feb 17 and 28th, Rich Bar about 400 ft of track was away. North of Sacramento at Del not a single train was able to undercut to about the middle of Paso, there was about 8 miles of traverse the entire length of the the ties with no room to shift the mainline that was covered with up mainline from Oroville to Portola track closer to the canyon wall. to 3 feet of water in places, with due to more than 25 places where Two more miles farther east about the associated damage to the tracks the railroad was washed out, or 600 feet of track was left dangling once the water receded days later. buried under mud and rock slides. by the raging waters swinging about To the east of Portola along the From Feb 12th until Feb 17th, the 50 ft above the normal river level. main, there were some small mud MofW forces were able to keep up And. the largest one "Was just west slides and washouts that had the with the damage caused by the of the west switch at Virgilia, where line closed from Reno Jct to Doyle relentless rains, but the storm of about 1100 ft of track slipped off for several days. The Reno Branch Feb 17th was bigger than any two the roadbed and into the river bed. was closed due to high water and previous ones combined. The last Just west of Portola at the east a few washouts. They got it opened train to successfully make it through switch of Blairsden siding the 200 and it was washed out again and the Canyon was the westbound ft long, 75 ft high fill at that point out of service for another five Overland Mail West, coming through gave way leaving a large gap. The days. Across Nevada in Palisade Oroville in the early morning hours UP MofW forces reported that this Canyon west of Elko the Humbolt of the 17th. Trapped in the Canyon single gap required 21,000 cubic River rose up and began washing were -4 trains, two westbound yards of fill. The other major wash- out ballast in several areas. One North Platte to Stockton drags, a out occured just east of the east bridge at the east end of the SP' s westbound Bieber .to Stockton train, switch at Pulga. This one was at Carlin Yard began to wash out but and the VERY important westbound MP 240 and was about 900 feet was saved by the MofW crews. American President Lines double long and 35 ft deep. As soon as the Feather River stack container train. The crew on Even though the railroad through Canyon was closed the UP began to this train, which has the symbol the Feather River Canyon was hit detour their trains. I don't have the APOAD, was able to get the train hard and was out of service until exact number of trains that were as far west as Camp Rogers before Feb 28th, the Feather River High- detoured during this entire period, being stopped due to washouts ahead. way (70) incurred damage that was but they numbered in the dozens Upon inspecting the train at Camp several magnitudes greater! Cal taking several different routes. Rogers, the crew noticed a wash Trans expects the highway will fin- About the time that the UP canyon out occurring under the middle of ally reopen ro public travel about line closed the preferred detour their train. Quickly, the power was July 1st. When it does open there route over Donner Pass by the way taken to the other end, and the. will be many, many places where of SP's main was also closed due train pulled back as far as Rich Bar. the road will only be one lane. to weather damage and a massive Which was as far as this train went We have heard reports that restoring rock slide east of Truckee. For about for another week. The other three the entire highway back to the stand- four days all trains were being routed trains were stuck at ' MP 249 (Rock ard two lanes may take as long as between Stockton and Salt Lake City Creek), at Paxton and at Keddie. two years. Because of this coming by way of the Santa Fe's line betwe~n Between these trains and the work summer anyone that is planning on Stockton and Barstow, over TehachapI trains already in the Canyon there coming to the museum at Portola Pass, and then north over the UP was plenty of power on hand to use should plan on traveling from Sac mainline to SLC. When the SP finally to help put the Railroad back to over Donner then north on Highway reopened one track over Donner the gether again. Meanwhile on the 17th 89. Please pass it on..... UP began to run all of the "HOT" there was a westbound USW steel The mainline through the Feather trains over this shorter route. All of train stranded at Po rtola due to River was not the only part of the the lower priority trains, plus the being closed and four eastbounds exWP that was put out of service double-stack trains that can't make at Oroville, WPX, an empty steel by high water, washouts, etc.... the clearances over Donner were train, STB train and the Stockton forced to continue the southern to Salt Lake SSL drag. detour over Tehachapi Pass until the Feather River Canyon mainline was opened on Feb 28th. From Feb 28 until March 15th the top priority . . . trains such as the eastbound MINP, began its eastward journey by going ballast pit in the side of Table Mt WPX and OACSV and the westbound back to Marysville over the UP main, east of Oroville at Elsey was opened OMW, NMI and SLOAT continued to getting onto the SP' s east valley line and was used to supply ballast for use Donner to miss the massive slow for the run north through Chico to both the lower part of the Feather orders in the Canyon. The only Tehama, thAn south over the S1"s River Canyon as well as the washout exception to this was when one of west valley line to Davis, then over at Thornton. The railroad's ballast these trains had double-stack cars Donner Pass on the SP' s line-. pit at Pardo, just east of the Elko, in it and thus went by way of the Another wild detour involved a few Nevada yard was also in service Feather River. trains out of Oakland during the tIme during the repair work. Rock and There were some other quite in Niles Canyon was closed. This detour ballast from Pardo was being used teresting and unusual detours for involved trains backing out of Oakland on the Reno, the upper end of the trains. With the mainline under yard, and then running north over Feather River Canyon, plus by a water north of Sacramento and the the street trackage of the Oakland ballast shuttle train powered by parallel SP east valley main running Terminal Railway through the slums GP-30 UP 6@( working the washouts north from Roseville closed for a of West Oakland to reach the Santa in Palisade Canyon. This is the first week due to the wash out at Bear Fe interchange. Upon reaching the time in over a year that the increas River Bridge north of Lincoln, Santa Fe tracks in Oakland the trains ingly rare GP-30 has shown up any another route had to 'be found. proceeded north to Richmond using where on former WP rails. Both the SP and UP began to run the Santa Fe trackage right over Thanks to several FRRS members trains on Feb 20th over the lightly the SP and then the SF line to that contributed to putting this used SP west valley line north of Stockton. At Stockton these trains Davis once the high water damage just changed crews and continued overview of the problems from the on this line was repaired. In order south over Tehachapi to the UP storms .together. They include Roy to get the trains to and from the main connection near Barstow. Lopez, Roger Hepkema, Ken Meeker, BN at K Falls, Oregon the UP was To help restore the roadbed and the Dale Sanders, Steve Milward, John forced to detour these HIGHLINE railroad itself the UP called upon Walker, and of course "Vinnie Ventosa". trains onto the SP at Stockton, several sources of rock and ballast. The current issue of the March 1986 and then north to Sacramento over Besides local sources the UP sent at CTC BOARD has a good article with the SP, west to Davis and then least two full trains of nothing but photos that covers the storm damage north over the west valley line, and loaded ballast hoppers from the Mid Wayne and Norm reported ••• Editor to Tehama, the junction with the west, one of these reportedly coming east valley line, and then on north from the MoPac's Gads Hill, Missouri In other news about the former past Mt Shasta to the BN's yard ballast quarry. To help restore the Western Pacific we have learned that at Klamath Falls. It should be track in the Thornton area the the UP is piecing together the "true" pointed out that all detour trains trackage into the Ion merger locomotive at the Salt Lake heading out of Stockton for Sac trackage into the Lone Star quarry City shops. The locomotive involved went by way of the SP line. Half at the end of the seldom used Tracy is GP-35 WP 3020 which was wrecked way through all of these detours Branch west of Stockton was re in the great Reno Runaway of July when trains were really beginning paired and reopened. Two shuttle 1982. In Feb, 84 this locomotive to pile up in Stockton the SP: UP trains were run continuously on a 24 received the long hood off of interchange track was badly torn hour basis for over a week between retired GP-35 UP 763. Now in up by a derailment. With this all the Lone Star and Thornton each March 86 the, cab and short hood important track out of service bring 20 loaded side-dump cars at of the 3020 has now been replaced the trains were now forced to make a time to the washout area. Deep by the cab and short hood from another detour to the new UP-SP within the Feather River Canyon at recently wrecked GP-38-2 MoPac interchange track 8 miles south of Tobin the railroad received special 2031. Just hope someone gets a Stockton at Lathrop. One of our permission from the Forest Service photo of this thing once it is re members caught a unique meet to reopen the rock quarry that has paired and before it gets into the near Lathrop one day between the been inactive for some time. To get paint shop •••••••• westbound USW steel train running the rock needed to fill in the gaps We will try once again next issue eastbound and the hot eastbound caused by the river the railroad to bring you a complete run-down blasted 80 feet into the side of the as to the location and status of all WPX running westbound. of the WP steel bay-window cabs •• One of the most out-of -the- granite mountain at this point. Also way detours that occurred happened during this time the controversial when the WPX we mentioned earlier got standed in Oroville. After sitting in Oroville for .a few days, it finally