OFFICIAL PUBLI CATION OF THE RAIL SOCIETY PORTOLA VOLUME No. 4 No. 6 NOVEMBER DECEMBER 1986 ISSUE No. 22

UNITED $TATES STEEL #1 2 A TWIN ENGINE GE 80 TON CENT ER CA B, NOW AT PORTOLA Ski PHOTO

FEATHER RIVER RAIL SOCIETY'S ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING DEC 13th•••••••••• Please plan to attend this very important meeting and . vote on many changes that will deal with the up coming year. Also your ballots will be counted at this meeting •.•.•••

THE WESTERN PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY SACRAMENTO NORTHERN RAILWAY TIDEWATER CO. Feather River Rail Society Preserving "The " l?WPLIVES The FRRS, a tax exempt public benefit California Corporation, is the HISTORICAL SOCIETY for member ~ the WESTERN PACIFIC RAILROAD and operates the PORTOLA RAIL- ROAD MUSEUM in Portola, Calif. Formed in February, 1983 with the purpose of TRA N preserving railroad history in general and Western Pacific Railroad history in particular. The WP LIVES in Portola for the benefit of the friends of the late great FEATHER RIVER ROUTE. Iourist Railway Association INc. ************ Single membership dues are $15.00 per Calendar Year. Life memberships are $300.00. CALENDAR Our mailing address is ...... Dec 8 Special movie nite at the FRRS POST OFFICE BOX B PORTOLA, CALIF. 96122 United Methodist Church, 27555 E Baseline in Highland, Cal. Our information phone number is 916-832-4131 ************* Dec 13 Annual FRRS membership "THE SHEET" is Edited and laid out by meeting John SKI Ryczkowski. Assisted by Mary Rycz­ Jan 3-4 Booth at Great American kowski with typesetting and proofreading. Train Show, Shrine Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles Articles/Info please write, THE TRAIN SHEET Post Office Box 1663, Sparks, Nevada 89432 Jan 10-11 Booth at Great American ************** Train Show, Oakland Coliseum ISSUE No. 22 with 800 PRINTED Feb 8 Booth at Great Western Train Show, Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo, California Feb 21 Members social meeting From the PRESIDENT'S Desk About the Feather River Short Line Feb 28 Booth at Winter Rail, Stockton Norman Holmes An Editorial Mar 8 Booth at Great Western Train What happened to our volunteers and Due to the sudden emergence Show Solano County Fairgrounds in visitors this year??? Did cheap gas of the Short Line at the museum Vallejo, California invite longer trips? Did EXPO 86 many questions have been raised. syphon off some? Did the Feather This is a brief explanation. River Highway closure discourage some from coming up? Who knows. The Feather River Short Line is a OCTOBER 19th MEETING We were hoping to get a lot accom­ group that has been around for some Some 20 members attended our plished this year-quite a bit was time with many members in the fall social meeting. A museum pro­ done, but not as much as we would Portola-Qunicy area, their equip­ gress report was presented by Dept have liked. Even on operating days ment, #8, sat in the fairgounds at heads, then Dale Sanders and Mark we barely had enough train crew Qunicy until the Feather River Rail Hemphill announced they formed a members to have a full crew. Where Society was formed and started the group to buy six of the seven F did everybody go??? museum as we know it in Portola. units from the Alaska Railroad. Our list of accomplishments are At that time the FRSL was invited They will be stored at our museum something to be proud of, however. to relocate their equipment in Port­ on a long term lease and will be A concrete walkway has been in­ ola for restoration and operation on available for operation and display. stalled, the exterior of the , Shop society trackage. The move and This will give our museum more F was painted, · the meeting room and the restoration has been funded by units than any other museum in the two other rooms painted, the east Short Line funds and their sudden country and more diesels than any side fence installed and 908 -2001 socialization for members, donations other museum in the west. were made operable. New equipment and letters proclaiming the Short John Walker reported that a coa­ arrivals included Business car 105 Line while on Feather River Rail lition _group of Northern Calif RR and GP-30, 849 both courtesy of Society grounds is in support of the Preservation groups has been formed the UP. Many smaller projects restoration of the # 8. Many members as a mutual aid organization and were finished also, but much more of the FRRS are assisting in the to foster cooperation among the 8 remains, with new ones everyday. restoration and we are happy to let or more groups in the area. Those of you who visit the museum, the FRSL use a section of our engine why not plan to spend a few days house, as their future participation helping to make it more attractive. will be of great benefit not only If you can't come, your donation to the Short Line but to the FRRS. of a few dollars will help all When operating the #8 will run projects and buy supplies, etc ...... under an operating agreement with the FRRS and under our rules ...... TijE TRAIN SHEET ISSUE No. 22 SHEET TWO

TRACK ACTMTY We have many things planned for EARLY AMERICAN RAILROADING On 20th Sept, Dean Hill, Norm, 1987 and need your support. If you A new magazine is out for the Jim Ley, Mat Parker and Hap ripped can add a little "extra" to your railroad enthusiast who likes the up three rail lengths of track on dues, our preservation and restor- . 1830 to 1930 time period. This mag the ramp track in preparation for ation programs will appreciate it. put out by a non-profit group can the installation of a switch to our Remember dues and contributions be had by writing ..••. much needed rip track connecting are tax deductable. We now have EARLY AMERICAN RAILRO ADING link. Switch parts and ties were 674 paid up members. P.O. Box 101RP salvaged from an unused switch on Allegan, MI 49010 the balloon with points from an SENIOR DAY $7.50 per year or a sample will be unused switch in Reno. It has now sent for two 22¢ stamps ••••••. been installed, nearly 500 feet of Nearly two dozen senior citizens track laid and before long we will attended our senior appreciation day, Sat Oct 25th. The senior MAILING have another track in service. This Due to a lack of interest, 1st housing unit is located on a bluff track and the two tracks to the Class mailing will no longer be north are badly needed for storage overlooking our museum, here the available for the TRAIN SHEET. space for our ever growing collec­ residents not only have an unequalled tion. In addition to those listed view of museum activities, but they Thanks to Joe Way, our mailing list above, Rose Hersted, Steve Milward, also are subjected to the sounds the has been updated to include ZIP + Wayne Monger, Ski and Hank Stiles generate when we have oper­ 4. Joe supplies our mailing labels helped. A special thanks is due Ken ations. Some of the seniors have for the SHEET and keeps it up to Roller, who has almost single-hand­ been keeping watch over our facil- date. Please advise of any changes edly spiked down the rails. ity and report to Hap or the Sheriff's in your address •••••••• office any unusual activities. To show our appreciation for their FAIRMONT A-8 MOTOR CAR DEDUCTIONS •••••• Courtesy of the Union Pacific and your TAXES••••••• watchful eyes and patience with our sounds, Hap and Councilwoman Fran a A -8 arrived Sept 29th. This large A major change in IRS rules will for a motor car, track gang car has be in effect in 1987. Among the Roudebush suggested we give them a free train ride. So, we coupled a flat head Ford V-8 engine and a many changes Congress made is a four speed transmission. The engine limit on itemized deductions. Al­ 921 to the diner and a , loaded the passengers aboard, includ­ is in need of major repair and may though the tax rate on income will need to be replaced. be less for most people, the number ing a great lady in a wheelchair and of items one can claim as itemized gave them a two-loop ride around the balloon. Aboard the diner, n MILEPOSTSn deductions are reduced, thus it will I have cataloged the society's coll­ not be advantageous to many to Barbra Holmes served hot-spiced cider and donuts to our friends. ection of Western Pacific Mileposts. itemize. A donation to a charitable We are missing the following ••••••• organiza tion this year will off -set The train crew consisted of Jim Ley, engineer, Steve Jackson, fireman, March 1956 higher 1986 tax rates instead of December 1958 lower taxed 1987 income. A do­ Matt Parker, conductor and Hap Manit, brakeman. Norm Holmes, April 1959 nation can also be made on a Visa December 1969 or M/C card even though it is not Virginia Larson and Bill Magazin helped in loading. The issues between••• paid until 1987. SPR SUMMER FALL 1978 Vol30 #1 The tax ID numbers of the FRRS to is ..•. 68-0002774 DONATIONS May/June 1980 Vol 32 #1 With an almost certain increase in New member Paul Bourget learned Missing are •• Vol 30 N02 Winter 1978? the cost of diesel fuel in the com­ of our need for an answering ma­ All Volumes 31 1979 up to issue ing year, we are going to purchase chine and helped out with a do- .· Vol 32 #1 May/June 1980. at least 2000 gallons of fuel this nation of a fine machine from his For some reason 1979 and 80 are year. Membership contributions are parents Radio Shack store. hard to find •.•.••••• requested to help cover costs, this Another new member, Walter I would like to fill out the collection we feel will be "money in the bank". Harper a former WP employee in and will return' any Milepost after San Francisco, sent us a box of WP a copy is made ••••• Thanks SKI RENEW AL TIME material including a WWII war bond Charlene Marvin, membership flag that flew over the WP-SF WP DECALS AVAILABLE It's time to renew ,again! Member­ freight station, a collection of MILE­ Detail Associates long awaited ship is on an annual basis-Jan 1 POSTS, a 1929 newspaper, and other WP decals are now out and the 7 starts a new year, if a member has data. These are all welcome additions I sets cover most all box cars used joined after Oct, he/she is credited to our archives, especially the NCE on the Western Pacific. The gift for the following year. If a member items. shop will have them for you and has not renewed by April, he/she the cost is $3.50 ea less disc •.•••.•• will be dropped. We need all our Set 9001 Modern 15" White members ••• Annual membership dues Models of WP 2-8-8-2's Set 9002 Early 50's Silver are still only $15 per year. Life Member John W Brown writes about Set 9003 Late 50's Yellow membership is available for $300. getting a strong showing of interest Set 9004 "THE WESTERN WAY" on the two styles of these big mal­ If you don't want to renew let us Yellow Block Lettering 40' lets. He would like to see the pre - know why so we can address the Set 9005 "THE WESTERN WAY" issue •••• Thanks ••• ject started by Key/Samhongsa Yellow Block Lettering 50' finished, some needed info is rivet Set 9006 "THE WESTERN WAY" detail, top of the tender, etc. 'Please Yellow Script Lettering 40' a 50' write to the TS and let us know Set 9007 Yellow "CUSHION about your interest in these models. PROTECTION" 50' boxcar TRAIN CONVENTION SALES DEPARTMENT Norman and Barbara Holmes att­ by Chris Skow ended the Tourist Railway convent­ Work has started on the new larger Shipping and Handling--under $50. is ion in Tyler. Texas. Nov 7 Ei 8. 1987 merchandise catalog and we hope $2.50 and over $50. is $3.50. Here is their report. to have it ready to mail out with California residents MUST add 6% "We flew from Reno to Dallas the next TRAIN SHEET. I think you sales tax and we accept plastic .•••• on Nov 2nd. rented a car and made will be sur prized with all of the new VISA and MASTERCARD .•..••..•• a 1350 mile tour of central. southern items in our 87 catalog. Until then The following members have helped and eastern portions of the great the 86 catalog is still good. Remember. out in the gift shop at the museum State of Texas. We saw several short buy from us and save. plus you will or at our booths at several shows in line railroads. photographed some be helping a great growing museum. California the past two months: SP and Santa Fe steam engines on The 1987 all-color calendars are Hap. Pat Duffy, David Dodds, Bob display and visited three railroad in stock and we will mail them out Thrasher, Bill Marshall and Chris. museums before arriving in Tyler. to you. This large wall calendar Look in the calendar for the up The convention opened on Friday opens up to 12 by 24 and is packed coming events in which we will set with a Board meeting followed by with 33 photos. The Aug shot is of up a booth for selling our merchand­ two seminars, one on Tourist Rail­ the famous staged Union Pacific train ise and spreading the word that the roading in the 21st Century and the on the WP's North Fork Bridge in WP LIVES in Portola••••. other on Safety and Management. the Feather River Canyon at night. A banquet dinner was held that It took some 750 flash blubs to evening followed by a talk and make this shot. This Bo-Tree cat'­ slide show by U.S. Army Trans­ endar lists for $8.95, our special is portation Captain and an infor- only $6.95. rna tion presentation by Valley Rail­ A new item put out by John Carr road of Connecticut regarding the should be of interest to UP fans. possibility of importing ' steam loco's He has put out a Symbol Train JUMBO CARS and parts from China. (A 2-8-2 Timetable that lists every symbol Some time ago I asked about steamer will be brought in as a freight train on the vast UP system "Jumbo" cars and with letters from demonstrator, if USA boiler regs including; what the symbols stand members Thorn Anderson and George are changed.) for, where the train is coming from Comer we have our answer. A meet was held at the Texas and where it is going. This publicat­ On page 320 of "RAILROADS of State Railroad including seminars ion is in a timetable format and has NEVADA" is a good photo of WP on welding, bridgework, and in­ 45 pages. with updated sheets. List jumbo #20 with a work train out surance. The annual membership is $5.50, our price is only $5.25. side the Chilcoot tunnel. "Jumbo" meeting was held after the Sa­ Our fifth custom mug is now out. is a term applied to a piece of turday night dinner. WP GP-20, 2001 in silver and orange. tunnel working equipment, some­ TRAIN has 168 full members-a 25 Other custom mugs made just for us times self -propelled, that is used member increase over 1985. The are the WP F7 921, UP 6946, WP to repair or do maintenance on principal advantage to belonging to NW-2 608, WP 428. Other mugs the inside of tunnels. this organization is its insurance are, not custom for us, but nice Later "Jumbo's" used on the WP program. An added benefit is the are WP #175 steam engine, Cal Zep for tunnel work were flat cars with information one gains from attending logo. UP-WP merger and a WP logo. a two deck platform. the convention seminars and meeting Mugs list for $5.00. our Xmas special WP had two, # 20 was rebuilt from and talking to others who are in the is only $4.50 each. a P RR car #96599 and had a same "business." We enjoyed our trip Our custom WP 921 F7 A belt buckle AHEi D co double drum hoisting and feel it was worthwhile." is also out. This very detailed bucl engine at 70 HP. The drawing for is made from pewter and lists for #21 is shown ...... $5.95, our Christmas special is only $5.00.

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USS 12 Another trip to Pittsburg was The next four hours was spent by Norman Holmes needed to determine what course securing ,the body and trucks for Somethings just don't come easy of action was to be taken and what ship'ment. On the way home we Way back in August 1985 L asked materials would be needed. Ken stopped by to see how Ken was Ken Boynton, who lives in Antioch accompanied me again on this Oct doing. He is sore, but getting to check around the USS plant in 10th inspection. Four hours after well and he presented us with the Pittsburg to see if they would have I left Ken in Antioch, he was horn of the 12. Someone thought a retired Baldwin switcher we might involved in an auto accident and the engine was going to scrap and acquire for our museum. The Bald­ hospitalized for a week. His help took the horn, but brought it back win fleet was still active, but they and expertize would be missed. A when the engine's salvage became had an 80 ton GE center unit tenative date to load the engine known. Jim and I got back in that was no longer in use and if was set for Oct 15th, however, on Portola at 11 pm, a 19 hour, I would write a letter we might Oct 13th UP had a serious wreck 460 mile day. obtain it. on the High Line at Westwood. In ' the wee-hours of 30th Oct I made a trip to Pittsburg, in­ This took all UP's available cranes the two flats arrived with #12. spected the locomqtive and felt it and crews, furthermore USS could would fill a need in our collection. It so happened UP was making a not spot the GE for loading until trade with wrecker outfit derricks It has two Cummins diesel engines Friday. (one is in need of repair) which in Portola, exchanging the Salt Lake Finally, the loading was sched­ derrick for the one in Portola. What would make it economical to op­ uled for Wed, Oct 22th. At 3:45 erate and one that we could operate better time to unload the 12, as a am, I arroused Jim Ley with a crew was on hand to test the equip­ in winter. Several letters, phone blast of my pickup horn. Time to ment. The 200 and 250 ton derricks calls and a personal intervention by hit the road to Pittsburg. A hot Bob Attama, a former USS executive had no trouble lifting the 56 ton GE cup of coffee awaited Jim as the body from the ' flat and placing it and father of Mike A ttama, gained 230 mile journey began. Loaded in on it's trucks. The next day the BaL tentative approval of our request. the pickup were ties, blocks, chain, In Feb the USS plant joined with local moved 12 to our trackage, a cutting torch and tools. Pitts­ at 5mph ••••• We now have a fine POSCO Industries of Korea to form burg was reached a little after 8, soon running example of GE's a partnership. Changes in manage­ a gate pass secured and we were industrial power •...•••. ment delayed final approval of our in the USS plant. Doug Jensen met request. Finally on May 22, 86 a us at the gate' to help with the letter arrived stating the engine work. No12 was located along with UPDATE on SHORTLINE #8 by Betty Boynton was ours. UP Division Superintend­ two MP flats spotted for loading. ent Jeff Verhaal was contacted Feather River Shortline # 8 is now Before long a UP wrecker foreman, officially 79 years old! Her bronze about arranging for transportation two helpers in the Stockton of the unit to Portola. On May 30 and black builder's plates #32160 truck and the Petty-Bone crane read "Baldwin Works, Ken, Barbara and I worked on the with operator arrived. Some prep­ GE, oiling journals, and gear boxes, Philadelphia, Pa., Nov 1907." aration work was necessary before Shortline # 8 is a standard gauge repairing the hand brake and re­ loading could begin; the end plates placing air hoses and angle cocks. 2-6-2 Prairie type that was built had to be cut off, the truck re­ for the Sierra Nevada Wood and UP sent an inspector to look it taining blocks removed and air over. He disconnected the traction Lumber Co. at Hobart Mills, Ca. brake lines disconnected. When this With ample wood slabs to keep her motor leads and checked the was accomplished, the Petty-Bone and air system -everything seemed firebox full, # 8 transported forest posi tioned itself, the Concord Crane products six and a half miles to OK for the move. Service crane arrived and got into USS put the unit outside on the Truckee for interchange with the position and alift was made. We SP. In 1917 #8 became Hobart interchange track and the Pittsburg had to call on the USS Baldwin to turn coupled into it and started to Estates although her name was shove the trucks out from under never printed on the equipment. pull. At 5mph the unit was bouncing the GE's body and shove a flat car so bad they were afraid to go any During this time #8 was converted in their place. Once this was done from wood to oU fuel. From 1932 faster with it. They set it out to and the body secured the second await further inspection. A UP to 1937 she carried the road name flat was spotted so that the trucks Hobart Southern Railroad. In 1937, mechanical supervisor was present could be loaded. With their help when a second attempt was made the Overton Forest reserves at temporarly not needed, Jim and Hobart Mills became exhausted. to move -it. Again it .bounced so Doug managed to get a ride on bad fear was it would derail. The milling complex and allied the Baldwin. Not an everyday narrow gauge and standard gauge Speculation was that it had oblong opportunity! wheels. railroads were abandoned and sold With the trucks out in the open, for scrap. Shortline #8 was then What to do? The unit sat outside the cause of the rough motion was the plant for a week-time enough sold to the Clover Valley Lumber evident. Several of the wheels have Co. at Loyalton in Aug 1938 and for vandals to break all the windows deep groves worn on the tread, so and gauge glass and for someone to became a "woods switcher". She bad a flange was formed on the gathered logs from landings and steal the horn. (We took the bell a outside edge. This was not visible builders plates off) I conferred with spurs to make up trains in the when the trucks were under the Squaw Queen and Clover Valley UP mechanical people and they engine body. If when we get a offered to furnish use of their Pet­ area north of Beckwourth, assembling wheel lathe the wheels will have cars for the mainline haul to the ty-Bone crane and two flat cars to to be turned. Meanwhile, a set of load and transport the loco to , mill at Loyalton. In 1956, her work grinder shoes will be installed to days over, #8 was switched onto Portola. We would have to hire a try to true them this way. second crane to help load the GE. the scrap spur with a bleak future ahead. A reprieve from the scrap­ per cam,e in 1958 when the little engine, a World War I ammo car the members are large in enthusiasm Western Steam and Shortline #8 will and former WP caboose were sent and continue to work away the layers have a spot in the book. Ecfward to Quincy. On Dec24th, 1958, the of memories. Steve Jackson, Mel Brown of the Plumas County fIistor ­ equipment officially became the Moore, Dean HilI, Jim Boynton, AI ical Society is also compiling articles Feather River and Thomson, Bob Beattie, John Marvin, about the Shortline for publication the engine acquired her present Eugene Vicknair, Jim Ley and Mike soon. name, FRSL #8 A ttama have worked on the cab, pip­ NEWS FLASH ... Engine #8's boiler Over the years #8 put on added ing, brake system, tender connections, and firebox have at last been cert­ weight from layers of paint, grease and fuel has been hauled from Quincy ified! What a birthday gift ... the and grime but never had a complete to Portola. The fuel has been made months of hard labor and delays are "right to the metal" restoration. available by the Clover Logging Co., now paying off. We thank Rose Jim Boynton was the last person to Plumas County School Dept, Sierra Hersted for her excellent research run #8 under steam on May 19, Pacific Industries, Detrick Tire Co., effort that has aided this project 1962. In Aug 1984 he founded pro- and hauled by Jim to Portola. greatly. Although much work re­ ject Sequoia and took on this over­ Guy Dunscomb, assisted by his son mains, we hope 1987 will find the whelming task. Wed and Sat are Don is now producing a pictorial of #8 back under steam Dower ...... work days, though small in number,

TURBO PULLED •••••••• b y DAVE . Mcel ain o u r El ec t r o -Mo t i ve T ech •••••.•.

Our "new" GP-30 UP 849 came We shut the engine down reluc­ was removed; air was not being to us relatively complete, except tantly and fixed the radiator leaks. expelled from the block. I went for the batteries. Matt Parker, When we attempted to restart the to the roof and found no air was Doug Jensen, Ken Roller, and I engine it would not respond! coming out of the exhaust stack. installed batteries taken from one The fuel pressure to the injec­ Suspecting the turbo, I removed of the inoperable Alca # 3' s. tors and rack position were checked the intake pipe to see if it turned After installing some oil filters out okay--plenty of fuel going into during cranking. It did, but a com­ and checking fluid levels water was the engine. Then Matt suggested parison with 2001's turbo convinced added to the cooling system. that the turbo didn't sound like us that it was not turning nearly Luckily only a couple of leaks were it was turning. An air box cover fast enough--possibly the plane­ found. tary gearing was broken. The decision was made to crank Ski and I started removing shrouds the engine. The 608, as always, and air box connections, the first was used as a jump unit to bolster step for turbo removal. Never the ailing batteries. Doug took having done this before, we took the start switch and I was on the our time and worked t ogether on layshaft. The engine came to life the difficult bolts. When the roof with minimal cranking. After the hatch was loose and all the bolts smoke cleared water begm to leak were removed Jim was summoned out of the rear radiator connection. from his operating duties with Apparently the UP had considered removing the radiator or maybe the engine and had left the connection loosened. THE TRAIN SHEET ISSUE No. 22 SHEET FOUR

2001 to run the Burro Crane. Our very first turbo removal had to be preserved in entirety on film. Pam Hodson and Mary Ski were stationed on the roof of the Alco # 2 for a great spot. The turbo was rigged with cables and lifting was begun. I was on one side and Ski was on the other, both using bars to wedge it from the block. Jim began to lift. After carefully guiding it up through the roof with barely enough boom length the turbo hung above the 849--a feat that we thought couldn't be done in one day. The turbo was lowered to the ground and inspected. There was no solid connection between the inner gear and the turbine shaft; something could be broken in the planetary gear chain. Part numbers were checked on the turbos of #849 and #6946; they were the same. Also the #849's engine block is stamped DDA40X EMD 645 Power Pack. Apparently the # 849 ' s engine is out of a Cen­ tennial unit and not a 567. This engine does have a derated governor rated full power at 835 RPM, so we have a 645 powered GP-30 .. another one of a kind first for the FRRS. Our options are exchanging the turbo with the UP, repairing it with new parts, or removing the turbo from the 6946. In any case it looks like we'll have an operating GP-30 in the near future.

WESTERN PACIFIC WP'S MARINE ORGANIZATION Jl[~1!ppSls By Hazel Petersen and Henry Stapp barges are pulled and loaded On a trip from the 25th Street Possibly many WP employees do promptly. It usually requires from yard in San Francisco to Oakland, not understand how freight cars are thirty to fifty minutes to make a November 8, Captain H. B. Lamp­ transP9rted to Oakland from San trip between any of the two above man, mate F. Loch, deckhand John Francisco and vice versa. At the mentioned points, depending on ex­ Kirk, bargemen A. R. Gustafson present time, approximately 300 isting conditions. and S. Miraglia, engineer G. Fev­ cars are handled daily on barges, Marine equipment must be kept riel',' fireman J. O'Brien and oiler operated under the jurisdiction of in A-1 condition, and tugs and J. Hayes, crew of the tug Huma­ the yardmaster at Oakland, who barges are dry-docked annually for conna, found launch 28U407 on fire. dispatches them between Western inspection and any necessary Stopping the tug, they quickly put Pacific Mole, Alameda, and various repa irs. Arrangements for dry­ out the fire and turned the launch points in San Francisco. docking tugs are handled by the over to the Coast Guard. The launch On advice from the superintend­ superintendent of motive power at was owned by Tex McGee and was ent of transportation, yardmasters Sacramento, in conjunction with the abandoned at the time the Humma­ dispatch stock, perishables, Rule 10 terminal trainmaster at Oakland, conna came along, and it was later merchandise and other preferred and the firm of Pillsbury and Mar­ discovered that the occupants of loads, must be handled as soon as tignoni, ship brokers, San Francisco. the launch had been rescued by possible after arrival of trains, and The tugs are fueled at Oakland and another launch, "The Texas Rocket." our marine service must be co­ take water at 25th Street. We have There is no finer department on ordinated with Encinal Terminal, two slips in Oakland and one at 25th the WP system than the marine State Belt Railroad, Alameda Belt Street. organization and, in fair weather 01' Line, and WP's Oakland and San Marine forces report to the ter­ foul, it is one of the superior marine Francisco yards, to insure that minal trainmaster at .Oakland, and organizations on San Francisco Bay. their jobs are assigned on the same average cars, In the rush seasons basis as switchmen to eight hour extra crews are occasionally called watches. We maintain an extra to operate the between board which is augmented by the 7 a , m. and 11 p. m. During the last , Inland Boatmen's Union who sup­ war, in addition to working the tugs plies deckhands, bargemen, marine Humaconna and Hercules 24 hours , firemen, and oilers. Captains, mates each day, the marine service was TRAIN SHEET INDEX ALL BACK ISSUES •••• and engineers are provided by step­ augmented by the rental of Red ping up qualified men who have Stack tugs to haul standby barge CARS been working.in lesser capacities on No. 2, which made a total of three WP tank car 1583 .•••.••.••• ISSUE #7 regular watches. Promotion in the tugs and barges operating 24 hours WP box car 3032 .•.••••••••• ISSUr #9 marine service is from deckhand to daily. SN caboose 1632 ••••.••••••• ISSUE #9 bargeman, to mate, to captain, and We are proud of our tugs, both of 1937 Steel box cars •••••••• ISSUE #10 the senior captain is the master of which were sea-going tugs at one WP Steel caboose 428 ••••••• ISSUE #11 the tug, Engine room promotion is time. The Hercules was built in Museum's covered hoppers ••• ISSUE #11 1907 at Camden, New Jersey, by from oiler to fireman to assistant Transco 50 t box car •••••.•• ISSUE #14 engineer to chief engineer. There is Dialogue Bros., and her official WP feather box cars •••••••• ISSUE #14 only one master and one chief engi­ number is 204801, gross tonnage 409, Burro crane E-14 ••••••••••• ISSUE #15 neer to each tug. The chief engineer net 120. She has a TE type engine, WP PFE wooden reefers, ICE. ISSUE #15 of the tug Hercules is R. Taft and of CYIs 17, 24, 41; stroke 30, IHP Santa Fe SS diner •••••••••• ISSUE #16 the tug Humaconna, A. R. Curtz­ 1,000; boiler SES type, diameter 15; WP air dump car 11012 ••.••• ISSUE #16 wiler. M. C. Silva is master of the length 12; maximum speed 10 WP Pullman 40' box cars •••• ISSUE #16 tug Humaconna and Pat Kearney of knots; fuel capacity 85,400 gallons; WP Pullman 40' box cars II.ISSUE #17 the tug Hercules. Masters, captains, cruising range 21 days; bunks 18; WP exGN steam generator carISSUE #17 mates, chief engineers and assistant provisions, 30 days, She was pur­ WP HW Passenger Equipment engineers must be licensed by the chased from Moore Dry Dock Co. existing •••••••••••••.••••• ISSUE #18 U. S, Government and are subject to in 1924. UP caboose #25049 •••••••••• ISSUE #19 Coast Guard Regulations. The reg­ The Humaconna's official number UP business car #105 ••••••• ISSUE #19 ular crew on a tug consists of a is 218071. She was built in Superior, WP steel "where are they captain, mate, engineer, fireman, Wisconsin, in 1919; tonnage 418 now?" ••••••••••.••••••••••• ISSUE #19 oiler, two bargemen and one deck­ gross; 190 net; steel hull, length 142 Freight cars markings •.•.•• ISSUE #19 hand, feet, beam 27.5 feet; draft 14.6 feet; WP Pullman 40' box carsIII.I5SUE #19 The tug Humaconna operates 24 engine 1250 h.p.; two Scotch marine Painting & Lettering of WP hours daily, except between 8 a. m. boilers, reciprocating engines. cabooses ••••.•..•••.••••••• ISSUE #20 and 4 p. m. on Saturday, with steel Barges No. 1 and 2 were built by Roster of barge No.3 in tow. The Hercules Kruse & Banks at North Bend, cars 1986 ••••.••••••••••••• ISSUE #21 operates from 11 p. m. to 7 a, m. Oregon, in 1908. They are of wood MAY-JUNE 1985 FRRS Roster of daily, except Friday and Saturday, construction with an overall length Equipment ••••••••••••••.••• ISSUE #13 with Barge No.1 in tow. Our stand­ of 266 feet; net tonnage of 934 tons ENGINES by barge is No.2, which is used in and gross 1,339 tons; beam is 39% UP re# of WP engines ••••••• ISSUE #6 emergencies. Each barge carries 13 feet and draft is 12% feet. No.3 was WP F-7A 921-D .••••••••••••• ISSUE #6 WP NW-2 608 ••••••••••.••••• ISSUE #11 UP Centennial 6946 ••••...•• IS5UE #13 WP GP-7 708 •••••••••••••••• ISSUE #13 WP GP-20 2001 ••.•••••••••.• ISSUE #14 Also's in Portola •••••••••. ISSUE #16 UP GP-30 849 •••.••.•••.••• ISSUE #20 WP HISTORY WP "Feather River Route" Medallion History ••••.••••••••••••••• ISSUE #10 Grand Opening •••••••••••••• ISSUE #13 Winnemucca Oepot •••••••••.• ISSUE #14 The Cherry Specials ••••• , •• ISSUE #17 Alumni of the Feather River Route WP Loco's in 1986 •••••••••• ISSUE #17 WP Depots ••.••••••••••••••• ISSUE #18 Named after a tribe of IndiansJrom the Great Lakes area, the Humaconna originally looked like this. "Rattlers" have names, too. ISSUE #18 built by Moore Dry Dock: Co. in apparently from a heart attack, a WP "MILEPOSTS" Storm 1956 •• ISSUE #18 1928, is of steel construction, 258 mate was found dead aboard, and Feb floods knock-out main •. ISSUE #18 feet long, with beam of 38 feet, draft there was suspicion that he had been WP Keddie to Bieber •••••••• ISSUE #19 12112 feet and net tonnage of 1,200 murdered, while another crew WP in March 42 "TRAINS" •••• ISSUE #19 tons. member was killed as the Point Bicentennial ••••••••••••••• ISSUE #20 Before the tug Humaconna was Lobos was docked in Alameda dur­ Jeffery Shops down •.••••••• ISSUE #20 purchased, WP had the Virgil G. ing a strike. Then this jinx ship sank New Diesel Switchers ••••••• ISSUE #21 Bogue in service, a wooden tug of the Virgil G. Bogue, forcing the WP Rail Welding Plant •••••• ISSUE #21 750 h.p. She was sunk by the Point crew to swim ashore to safety. Later WP Navy "HEADLIGHT" 1947 ••• ISSUE #21 Lobos about nine years ago near the on the Point Lobos floundered on WP Inventory of equip •••••• ISSUE #21 Coast Guard lighthouse at the en­ the rocks just out of the Golden WP Highway Crossing Sign ••• ISSUE #21 trance to the Oakland estuary. Cap­ Gate, where she lays to this day. tain Silva and oiler Melvin Swasey Many interesting stories could be state the Point Lobos was known as told by our marine employees as some of them have worked on ships a "hoodoo" ship, as one of her cap­ all over the world. tains was found dead aboard ship, WESTERN PACIFIC RR ROUNDHOUSE AT PORTOLA IN 1 939, LOOKING NORTHWARD J ames E Boynton Photo

SURROUNDED BY STEAM DURING THE GRAND AGE OF STEAM

In response to our request for articles graphical location, right at the crest of about people's past activities on the And loco # 57 did just that, coming to a stop about half way through of the famous Feather River canyon, late great WP has brough~ us ~his almost all locomotives going both wonderful story of operatIOns In my collapsed office as the leading wheels sank into the ground under east and west were changed and Portola during the Grand Age of serviced at the Portola roundhouse Steam •••••.•••••• what had been the office floor. Luckily no one was hurt as I man­ and because of this I found myself by John R Daly aged a very hasty retreat out a constantly surrounded with steam rear door but I still have a mental locomotives including some of the Over the deafening roar of about picture of hostler helper Dan Rascon largest and most powerful 2-8-8-2 a half dozen of the fourteen steam as he leaped over a five foot high mallet engines in the US. engines surrounding my office at the counter in the office with only a Portola was actually the dividing Western Pacific roundhouse came the standing start. point between the western and east­ unmistakable sound of breaking glass. That was just one of hundreds of ern divisions of the railroad so we I remember instantly thinking that experiences I had, some frightening, had locos from both divisions as fre­ it could not be an earthquake be­ some sad, and some humorous, quent visitors in the Portola ~ound­ cause that region high up in the during the fifty-one months I was house. I can recall at least mnety­ Sierra Nevada mountains of Northern in the service of the WP during seven different steam locos which California is not prone to quakes. WWII. The WP was a major trans­ were turned and serviced there incl­ But in a 'split second .1 saw loco #57 continental carrier running for 928 uding eleven of the 2-8-0 consoli~at­ come charging right through the wall miles from to San ion freight engines built by Baldwin and in doing so it took down the Francisco and like so many other in 1906. Almost twenty-five of the walls and the ceiling of what had American railroads it performed 2-8-0 engines built by Alco in 1909 been the office containing the Eng­ with unparalleled effort night and were frequently in and out of Port. inemen's Board in the roundhouse day all through the war in trans­ As were at least nine of the re­ at Portola, Calif. A hostler had porting troops and mountains of maining 4-6-0 TP-29 passenger eng­ just brought the engine in on a war supplies in quantities never be­ ines built by Alco at their Brooks track which ended about twelve feet fore heard of. I was in charge of plant in 1908 and 1909. This cl~s~ from my 'office but the cylinder the Enginemen's Board on the swing of engines powered Western PaCIfIc cocks were not opened properly shift at Portola seven days a week passenger trains for over 17,000,000 and this allowed steam pressure to for eight and sometimes sixteen miles between Oakland and Salt build up in the massive main cylind­ Lake from the time the railroad ers. Under those conditions nothing hours a day and as such I dealt dir­ started operations in 1910 until ectly with all the loc.omotive cr.ews in the world will contain a loco they were displaced by the l~rger . running between OroVIlle and. Winn­ until it has moved itself far enough mountain type 4-8-2 locomotIves In to exhaust the built up pressure. emucca, Nevada. Because of Its geo- 1936. These fast stepping 4-8-2 passenger engines with 73" driving passenger engines built by the Lima continuous hours on the road, only wheels were constructed for the Locomotive Works and these big to be called to go out again" eight Florida east Coast in 1924 by Alco machines with 73!" driving wheels hours later. Atone time the Port-;. at Schenectady and were bought weighed almost four hundred and ola Enginemen' s Board had eighteen and reconditioned by the WP at thirty tons. After their arrival they crews (36men) working between Sacramento in 1936. All ten of took over most of the passenger Winnemucca and Portola, plus an­ these fine engines were frequently service and all six engines were other twelve crews (24 men) work­ serviced in the Portola roundhouse. constantly seen in Portola. To this ing in the canyon from Portola to Then the ten huge 2-8-8-2 freight big array of motive power was Oroville. In addition to these locomotives built by Baldwin in added an assortment of steam the passenger trains were taken 1931 and 1938 were constantly seen switch engines which worked around over by eastern division crews, and at Portola as they handled almost the clock in the Portola yards, plus the passenger crews working the all of the heavy freight tonnage up a number of the eastern division Feather River canyon. We likewise the ruling 1% grade in the Feather locomotives which never were in had a helper engine pool of five River canyon over the 116 miles be­ service as far west as Portola but crews (10men) which regularly were tween Oroville and Portola. These came through on their way to and dispatched east to Gerlach where big engines weigned over one mill­ from the overhaul shops in Sacramen­ they were turned and helped west­ ion pounds and were capable of to, California. bound freights over Sand Pass in moving trains of more than 3000 So here I was in a position which Nevada and then up the Long Valley tons up the canyon with ease. All modern day enth­ grade in California and through the ten of these mallet engines were usiasts would surely envy. I had daily Chilcoot tunnel in which the WP constantly in and out of Portola personal contacts with nearly one crosses the crest of the Sierras. and two or more of them could hundred engineers and fireman and From there it was just another 18 always be seen on tracks adjoining hostlers, as well as about eighty miles across the flat Sierra Valley my office. Likewise, Portola saw at machinists, boilermakers, pipefitters, to Portola. There also were crews least 23 of the 36 big 2-8-2 MK- electricians, and their helpers, all for a variety of local runs in­ 60 engines built by Alco at both of whom were men except for two cluding those to Reno, Loyalton, Dunkirk and Schenectady between women hired as engine wipers dur­ and Keddie and added to all of 1918 and 1929. These engines were ing the labor shortage of WWII. this was a large pool of extra board the mainstay of the heavy freight All of them, both man and woman, men who filled in for any vacancies. haulage across the many miles of were truly a dedicated lot and To keep an adequate supply of men the Nevada desert as well as in the worked long hours often under try­ on the extra board the WP had to . Some of this ing conditions. There were so many bring in a number of what were class of engine also handled most trains moving that every piece of called "boomer" firemen who had of the passenger trains in the Fea­ available equipment was pressed into some firing experience elsewhere ther River canyon between Oroville service and every passing track from and for one reason or another were and Portola, and all 23 of them Oakland to Salt Lake appeared to currently available. And finally, which I remember seeing at one time have a train passing another train Portola at one time during the war or another were frequent surround­ either eastbound or westbound. had as many as six crews working ers of my Portola ~ffice. And then Hundreds of times I watched Loco­ switch engines around the clock in beginning in early 1943 the Western motive crews tie up and fill out the local yards. Pacific purchased six new 4-8-4 their reports after nearly sixteen continued next issue •.•• TIlE TRAIN SHEET ISSUE No. 22 SHEET SIX

~ WESTERN PACIFIC 4180 CUFT AIRSLIDE COVERED HOPPER CARS WP 4180 cuft cars are as follows 11671-11675 Built 1964 With Walters new model of this Cars 11671 thru 11685 have the 11676-11679 Built 1965 type Airslide and Micro-scale hand brake in the high position, 11681-11685 Built 1966 doing a WP decal set for Airslides but starting with 11686 built in 11686-11690 Built 1966 a look at Western Pacific's cars late 1966 it is in the updated 11691-11698 Built 1978 is in order ....• low position. General American's Airslide de­ All of the WP cars were a light sign is primarily for bulk ship­ gray with black lettering and ment of dry, granular or powdered now when they are repainted by GAT)( commodities such as flour, sugar, Union Pacific, they are a flashy plastics or chemicals. The car silver with red and black letter­ is unloaded by conventional sys­ ing. o tems such as suction, pressure pneumatic conveyors or by gravity into a pit under the car. In order to actuate the Airslide conveyors built into the hoppers of the car, WP 11684 is one of the Feb 1966 cars that has the a low-pressure source of air is brake wheel in the high location. required at each unloading site. This air is introduced into man­ WP 11696 Blt in 8-78 is one of the newest cars in ifolds below the car, carried to service for WP, shown here in Fremont 1982. a plenum chamber where it passes through the special Airslide WP 11672 a wp/Up car painted silver at Pocatello 2- 84 fabric "fluidizing" or aerating has RED "UNION PACIFIC" with BLACK DATA/REPORTING MARKS. the material above it and causing This is UP class CH-100-5l the lading to flow to a single pair of outlets at the bottom WP 11690 (on back cover) has the brake wheel in the low center of the car. position, note that cars with the high brake wheel have General American Airslides came a complete ladder on the side not just 4 graps ...... in two sizes 2600 and 4180 cubic feet in which WP has both sizes. THE TRAIN SHEET FEATHER RIVER RAIL SOCIETY P.O. BOX EIGHT PORTOLA, CALIFORNIA 96122

Address Correction Requested ...... lst Class Mail BALLOT INCLOSED .... OPEN ASAP

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