• The

• Sheet Preserving "The Route"

JULY AUGUST 1987 ISSUE No. 26 . $1.50

"'~ Feather River Rail Society • Preserving "The Feather Riuer Route" [)!l'wPL IVES The FRRS, a tax exempt public • benefit Cali forni a Corporation, is the HISTORICAL SOCIETY for the WESTERN PACIFIC RAILROAD memb& ~ • and operates the PORTOLA RAIL- ROAD MUSEUM in Po r t o la, Cali f. Formed in February, 1983 wit h the purpos e of T RAIN • preserving railroad history in general and Western Pacific Railroad h istory in particular . With 22 locomotives, 7 and ove r 45 t differant types of equipment at the Portola !ourist Railway ASSOCiation INc. Museum the FRRS is a outstanding society . Steam service is provided by the Feather Riv e r Short Line Railroad. The WP LIVES in Portola ...... ************ THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Single membership dues are $15.00 per calendar AS JUST ELECTED •.•.. r II year, and Life memberships are $300.00 Norman Holmes ************ J ohn Marvin Our Mailing address is ...... Wa y ne Monger FRRS POST OFFICE BOX 8 PORTOLA CALIF 96122 John J Ryczkowski ************ J ohn Walker Our information phone number is ...... Dave McClai n 916-832-4131 or call 916-832-4737 J i m Le y ************ "THE TRAIN SHEET" is edited by John J Ryczkowski and assisted by Mary S Ryczkowski. Articles/Info please write, The TRAIN SHEET Post Office Box 1663, Sparks, Nevada 89432 THE TRAIN SHEET ************ Volume No . 5 No. 4 Iss ue No. 26 The Feather Ri ver Rail Society is not supported 900 i s sues pri nted by, nor affiliated in any way, with the Western Pacific Railroad ...... ************ FRRS CALENDAR FOR 1987 FRRS tax ID number is 68-0002774 Sept 5- 6-7 Operating Weekend Sept 19-20 Work Weedend Sept 26-27 Operating Weekend From the PRESIDENT'S DESK Oc t 17-18 Social Meeting, Work Norman Holmes Weekend Nov 21-22 Work Weekend Some of our workers are not Dec 12 Social Meeting picking up after themselves. When­ ever you work on a project and are rails is just right for you to hit box has been frequented by visitors through for the day clean up your your head on the other rail. Ser­ who like what we are doing. Our work area and put away any tools iously. the top of the rail is slip­ fixed expenses continue on and our or equipment used on the ·project. pery. so get into the habit of restoration and acquisition program All of our time is valuable--if you stepping over the rail. depend on cash and members vol­ don't clean up. someone else will Also. don't sit on a rail unless lunteering their time. have to do your work. If tools you want to get branded. Over­ The following have sent contri­ are not returned to their proper heard recently from a roadmaster; butions along with their member­ place. time is wasted searching with the air temperature of 98°. ship renewals or just because they for them. Everyone can help by the temperature of the rails was wanted to establishing good work habits. 128°. Thanks. C.F. Bach Allan Ratliff CONTRIBUTIONS George Comer D.W. Shand SAFETY TIP John Flower Daniel Stoleson of the MONTH Contributions to our general fund Steve Habeck Gael Troughton We all know we shouldn't step through the mail has slowed some­ Jeff Jamason Larry Trumbull on the top of a rail, but did you what during the last two months Roger Kemis David Unger know why? It is because if you however. with the tourist season Robert Mlakar J.W. Williams slip, a 4' 8t" distance between the in full swing. our museum donation THE TRAIN SHEET ISSUE No. 26 SHEET TWO J DONATIONS FEATHER RIVER RAIL FESTIVAL 87 The Portola Rotary Club's Memo­ By John Walker rial Day weekend Sunday break­ Our 2nd Annual Feather River excellent Do RG W Narrow Guage, fast was a great success. The Rail Festival (' s Day or profits from the event amounted Oliver Bro' s and Alaska Railroad WP Day depending on who you slide programs. There was nice to $1422.66, which was donated talk to) was held July 11th at the to our Rail Society with the re­ WP coverage (of course) and a museum, and proved again to be a tribute to F-Units. On the subject commendation that we use the great · success!!! money to repair the roll-up doors of "F-Units" Dale Sanders and The all day photo session, slide Mark Hemphill directed the night on the east end of our diesel shpp show, railfan extravaganza brought building. Skip Englert, President of photo session which consisted of 190 visitors to the museum for a the ARIJ F's, our FA and the 921 the Rotary Club and FRRS charter fun filled day of railroading. Some member, initiated the event. side by side in front of the engine traveled as far as New York and house. We have invited them to return LA to take part in the festivities. The evening entertainment was next year. Although there were the normal brei fly interrupted by a special hitches, glitches and bitches, things anniversary cake for Steve and Other donations received during went extremely well, and most every­ the last two months were: Doug Mary Habeck, Wayne and Linda one had a great time. Monger, and Steve and Luann Peterson who donated four rail­ Featured activities for the day road car jacks and Owen Acuff Milward who all celebrated wedding included several M of W anniversaries this week. who donated a complete set of powered by UP, WP, KCC and ARR The day's events were largely Trains magazines along with Rail­ motive power. An afternoon pass­ road magazines, Official Guides, .successful with an over 150 96 in­ enger special with one of the KCC crease in attendance and revenue's and other printed matter. Alco's and WP and Alaska pass eng - An overdue thanks goes out to over last year. $1,276.00 was taken er trains concluded the day's op­ in at the gate while Chris reported Minuteman Printing in Reno for erations. $3,100.00 in gift shop sales for the printing our Train Sheet and other Meanwhile, there were no less day, and the snack bar/food conces­ material at a very reasonable cost. than three slide/movie programs sion brought in another $500.00, for Member Harry Jamason also prints playing consecutively inside the extra bound copies at no just under $5,000.00 gross for the muse:Jm. Chris Skow showed movies day!!!!!! cost for distribution to hobby in the theater and a slide program A successful undertaking such as shops. in the display room while those We also need to express our this does not happen all by itself. taking a break or eating lunch in My sincerest thanks to all of you appreciation to Joe Way for supply­ the meeting room enjoyed McCloud who came out and helped with the ing our mailing labels. Norm River and slide Holmes picks up the mail and presentations. planning, preparation and operation sends the new and renewed mem­ The Short Line was on hand to of this years Rail Festival. Again bers names to Charlene Marvin answer questions on the restoration you have proven that W.P. also who records them on file cards. of the #8 while Hap Manit and stands for "Willing People". Special Charlene then sends the changes Kent Stevens guided visiters through thanks to Steve Habeck and Vic to Joe who enters them in his the museum. Neves and to all of the people who computer and when we need labels The evening entertainment was helped out on train crew's (you did he prints them for us. provided by Vic Neves, Wayne Monger a first class job), thanks to Ken and Dale Sanders who presented Roller for getting our rip track (Rip Two)completed in time, thanks to Photo by Vic Neves Linda and Wayne Monger and Pam a new set of batteries installed Hodgson for their help on the and some miscellaneous air work ticket booth, Barbara Holmes­ completed. The engine was test snack bar, Chris Skow and Vickie run on Sunday and even though a TRACK WORK Krois-gift shop, Bill Frasier for few minor problems remain to be Our one-man track laying machine, loaning us his movie screen, and a solved, we have an operable GP-30. Ken Roller, working ten hours a day big THANK YOU to Rick Merrill On June 29th Jim Ley and Brian July 6-10 completed the Rip#2 from Idaho, who spent a two week Challendar changed the crankcase track in time to allow it to be used vacation at Portola working on the oil, and fuel filters. to store some of our equipment shower car (it now works!!) and prior to the Rail Festival event. Rip#3 remains to be laid: the other assorted projects in prepar­ AND AROUND THE MUSEUM ation for this event. I wish I could ties are in place, but need to be list everyone who participated but, Rick Merle from Blackfoot, spaced, then rail moved onto the the turnout this year was so great Idaho returned to the PRM in ties, etc. However, due to an un­ that I couldn I t begin to remember July along with his daughter Mel­ fortunate automobile accident on everyone involved. Thanks again for issa to spend a two week vaca­ July 11th, Ken will not be building a job well done. tion working on our equipment. track for at least a month. We all Myself and the FRRS are looking (Rick and Melissa spent two wish Ken a speedy recovery. to next year to be even better •...•• weeks with us in 1985 also.) Ken is an accomplished artist, Rick accomplished much during so during his recuperation, he DIESEL DOINGS his stay, completing the step re­ will be painting a number of can­ newal on SN 1632, finishing the vases depicting WP steam engines As part of the diesel training shower-lounge car and doing many for display in our museum. If any­ class Brian Challendar is conduct­ other small jobs around the mu­ one would like to comission Ken ing this summer, a complete oil seum, which seem to have no end. to do a painting, he would be glad change was done on WP GP-7 No. Both Rick and Melissa said they to oblige ..••..• 707. Additional work in the form enjoyed their stay. We enjoyed • of window replacement, headlight them and wish them a speedy change out, battery door repair, return. TillS MONTHS COVER PHOTO and installation of a pre-lube oil Shows the July 4th operating pump along with a scrub down is Steve Habeck also spent some crew on the nose of the 921 in needed before this unit is ready vacation time with us in July doing our new operating dept T-shirts. [ for regular service. some of the many odd jobs around Last issues cover photo--how On June 20 Richard Canino, the museum and switching equip­ many know where it was--East Steve Habeck, Norm Holmes, Jim ment for operations and rail fes­ of Winnemucca, Nevada on the Ley, Steve Milward, Dave McClain, tival day. Steve lives in Los Osos old WP main line just before you Odie Lorimer, Hank Stiles, and which is quite a drive (10 hours) get to Weso, milepost 536. Kent Thompson accomplished a to come to help our museum, and great deal on the UP GP-30 no. he does this once a month during 849. The turbo was replaced, the summer. With a blast of smoke GP-30 849 roars back to life on June 21st after turbo replacement

f • r r •

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• i THE TRAIN SHEET ISSUE NUMBER 26 SHEET THREE THE SILVER LADY RETURNS We first wrote to LfiNW in Oct to have the Society be the fourth partner ...... by Norm Holmes 83 in an attempt to obtain the The long awaited return of the locomotive as a donation. Next. Steve Habeck. Larry Hanlon and last WP Zephyr unit was Dale Sanders struck a deal whereby John Ryczkowski along with the realized July 18th. The former WP if we could obtain a GP 7 or 9 FRRS paid the $35,000.00 to 805A left Louisiana on June 26 only from the UP we could trade it for Mountain Diesel Transportation who to spend a week in Gregton, Texas the 80S-A. Uncle Pete has been handled the purchase of the unit for because of a mix up in reporting very generous towards our museum. the group. The marks on the bill of lading. Once but wanted no part of this "deal". and WP LIVES in Portola..... this problem was solved (a phone About this time, LfiNW was rec­ Now that the 805 is home, the call to the UP agent in Shreveport) eiving inquiries about its F units Society still has a loan to be re­ the unit was once again started on and set a price of $50,000 for any paid. Response to our letters to its homeward journey. It came via unit. This put a stop to the less people who pledged money for its North Little Rock and North Platte than serious contenders. $50,000 purchase- has been great, but there to . From SLC west waw a very high price at the time, is still alot to be repaid Your it graced rails not traversed in 17 but just to see how interested rail contribution to this cause would be years. It arrived in Portola safe and fans were in preserving the unit, appreciated.. sound--Home Again ••••• Dale placed a full page ad on the The following have made contri­ The acquisition of the FP7-A ends back cover of his CTC BOARD for butions to the 805 fund ...... a three year effort to obtain this several months soliciting pledges important piece of WP history. When for the purchase of 80S-A. Nearly Richard Rowe the California Zephyr was discontin­ $4.000 was pledged, but that was a long way from $50,000. Through Bill Williamson ued on March 20th. 1970. 80S-A. a series of negotations by Dale and Richard Severance along with its sisters were placed Mark Hemphill of MDT, the price Pat Feesl in freight service out of Stockton. Harold E Meeker was reduced to $40,000. The Society John Scheibe In Sept, 1972 805-A was traded in Dave Mitchell could not come up with that amount Peter Parrish to GE for credit towards the pur­ Tim J Low and could not obligate itself with John McCorrick chase of GE U23Bs. A subsequent Richard Wilson a loan and it looked like the 805 -A K.M. Coe sale by G E found the unit on the Kenneth Eckley would be lost. Finally four Society Ken, Donner Wellsville. Addison fi Galeton. a Robert Johnson Lavonne Valentine short line in Pennyslvania. WAG members. decided to put up the Dave McClain money as partners in the purchase Mary Myers was abandoned in 1977 and the Ronald Edgar Richard Holmes unit. along with several SP F7' s of the unit. When LfiNW was told William Holmes of a firm purchase by the group Mickey McGrady were transferred to another short David Rhodus Carter Cram line in Louisiana, owned by the they dropped the price to $35,000. Kyle Brehm a deposit was quickly sent...... George Comer same people. 80S-A, now Louisiana Jeannie Meyers fi North West No. 49, was operated One member had to drop out after the deposit was made and the Carol Devincenzi on that line until a few years ago Ward B McCartney when GP-9 locomotives were pur­ Society's Board of Directors voted chased. OPERATIONS had a full crew .. Steve Habeck, Regular "around the balloon" Dean Hill, Norm Holmes, Hap Larry Hanlon, Jim Ley, Vickie Manit, Ken Roller and Hank Stiles operations ran June 27 a 28 using Krois, Rick Merle, R. Miller, WP NW2 #608 and WP GP-20 #2001. Steve Milward, Matt Parker, helped on the special runs. The operating crew included Norm Ski and Ken Thompson were all Holmes, Doug Jensen, Jim Ley, Dave involved in operations. Hap Manit McClain, George Oels, Matt Parker, OPERATING DEPT NEWS and Vickie worked the gift shop, We are soliciting members to Hank Stiles and John Walker. Non Barbara was at the snack bar and become involved with the opera­ operating people were Barbara Holmes, Emery cooking them onions and tions of our trains. Interested Vickie Krois, Hap Manit and Pam hamburgers...... members need to order a copy of Hodson. Emery Godard fired ham­ Special Trains; "Basic Training Manual for Brake­ burgers and hot dogs. Business was Several special runs were made men and Switchmen" from the slow over the weekend, but we recently. School groups visiting the society at $9.95 plus 50¢ post­ covered expenses. museum were treated to a "twice age. The FRRS rule book is also July 4 a 5 was a very good oper­ around the balloon track" ride. On ating session, particularly July 4th July 19, the Plumas County Histor­ available from the society at no when we sold tickets in the amount ical Society held their summer charge and should be part of all of $233. John Ryczkowski had his meeting in our meeting room. Ji m operating dept librarys. "Operating Dept" T-shirts for sale Boynton spoke on the Feather River for the working members and the Short Line I s restoration of steam GIFT SHOP NEWS royal blue shirts set off the crew engine No.8. Hap Manit told the Thanks to a very generous donation, nicely. The gift shop, hamburger group about our Society I s history we now have a good supply of WP stand and Barbara I s snack bar all and plans for the future. After stock certificates dating from 1959- did well. 2001 and the 849 were the meeting the members were 1961. They are available at the MU'd together for the first time given a train ride. museum gift shop or by mail order on Saturday with 608 doing the A trailer caravan group visited fo r $5.95. Please include 50¢ post­ honors on Sunday. The Santa Fe the museum on July 21. They too age if ordered by mail. We also Boys were in town working on the got a train ride and all enjoyed have a special on 4449 posters. and along with them we their visit. These 24X36 inch posters show SP THE TRAIN SHEET ISSUE No. 26 SHEET FOUR

4449 in Oregon with a Daylight HELP NEEDED .••••• PHOTOS •••••••••• My friend Bob and I have been train in a high look down view. Photo's and information of early on railfanning trips before, and Very nice poster, they are $1.49 in Pullman Co. owned wooden passenger seem to have an uncanny ability the gift shop or $2.49 by mail cars leased by WP, 1910-1922 for winding up in the right spot. . order in a sturdy mailing tube. are being sought by John Walker. True to form, in the daylight the Calif ornia residents please add the Examples of these cars would have next morning, we could see the 6% sales tax to your orders••••••• been the "Blairsden", "Oroville", tops of a couple rows of cabooses "Marysville", and "Wendover". directly across the yard from the motel, and we were within a block NEW STYLE T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE These were six-sleeper compartment of Mr. Martin's office. The cover of this issue shows observation lounge cars built by Pullman. If you have a photo or After a quick mid-morning break­ museum members wearing the of­ fast, we headed for the office and ficial FRRS Operating Dept. T­ know of a published photograph or shirts. The shirts are dark blue description of these cars please ran into our first big disappoint­ with the FRRS logo in white and contact John at 1130 Galaxy Dr ment • • We were directed to walk bronze on the front and OPERATING Yuba City, California 95991. ..•• through the engine house, out the DEPT on the back. These T- Thanks ..•• other side and turn right to the shirts will be sold exclusively to The TRAIN SHEET is still looking Stores Department. In case you operating dept. personnel. Also for B/W or Slides of the exWP GP's are wondering, our disappointment available, for everyone, are silver that have been sold off or leased was that we had left our cameras T-shirts with the logo in red and to other railroads ••••• in the car. Did you ever notice black on the front with a plain how long it takes to simply walk back. These high-quality shirts through an engine house ? DEPOT PLANS currently come in sizes M, L, XL, Everyone we had met or talked Society member and retired arch­ and XXL for $10 each. The to on the Santa Fe was very proceeds will be used for paint itect John Fisher is preparing a set friendly and helpful. and Mr. Mar­ of plans for our proposed replica and other supplies needed to re­ tin was no exception. "So you are WP depot and visitor center. A store equipment. Please find an the fellows here to look over the 24X90 foot building is proposed order blank enclosed for your use. cabooses? Well just call me Cal with space on the main floor for Worthington and me and my dog a display room, gift shop, ticket Spot will take you out to the yard office and rest rooms. A 24X24 to have a look at our beautiful WP MODELS second story will house our office, collection of Santa Fe waycars" The HO WP bay window caboose library and dark room. A portion (on the Santa Fe they are not ca­ models produced by Overland are of the profits from the gift shop, booses but waycars. sometimes now in stock, and have been ship­ donations from members and grant abbreviated W.C.). ped to those members that have money will be used to finance its After a short and dusty trip out paid in full. As they are almost construction. to the end of the yard, we drove sold out, interested members down between three long rows of please notify us as soon as poss­ deserted. sorrowful-looking way­ ible, if you want one ••••• The models cars. At a rough count there were are very accurate and I'll have a somewhere between 85 to 90 cars painting and prototype article out in the yard. All of them had been in the TS soon.. I would like to thank everyone that ordered these set aside for one reason or another, models, you have all helped make many had busted windows with win­ this a successful project. dow shades flapping in the breeze. Caboose Without exception. one or both Next is the wooden cupola cab­ oose like WP 779 in Portola. doors were open to the elements. Overland has this project underway And, as to be expected, they were and I'll have a notification in the Saga of the 999197 the favorite home of Bos passing TS on w hen to order••.•. -Of- through and all were filled with trash and dirt from the hobos and After the success of the caboose n Have I got a deal f Of you ••. n run I have looked into the feasibility the desert winds. Errol Spangler Mr. Martin had a list in his hand of doing WP' s tank cars. Pecos River Part II Brass is manufacturing a SP 12500 of the 35 cars which had just been Our plan called for leaving San declared excess and he offered us gal. tank car which is very similar Jose at 6:30 pm and sure enough to the WP tanks in series 1201- the opportunity to inspect each we managed to get out of town one. "or I can take you to the 1250, a 12500 gal single . by 9 pm. By the time we got to We can add WP tanks to this SP best one of the lot. I have been the Bakersfield turnoff from 1-5 through them all and this one I run of cars if there is enough I was so sleepy, I asked Bob to interest•..••• It will be run in two would rate an 18 on a scale of 20, take over and get us into Bakers­ the rest of them go on down the styles; "as delivered" with K field for the night. Now usually brakes and "a late model" with scale from there". We decided in a car I can only cat-nap at to take a look at his top of the AB brakes. I am also looking best. That evening, however, I into doing the WP 10,000 gal line car first which turned out to seemed to have gone out com­ be the ninth car from the end of tank car that we have at the petey for the next thing I know museum, if again there is the the longest row. it's 4 am in the morning and we There she sat, every railfan's interest••• so please advise •.•.••••••••• are pulling into Barstow. Of Have had contact with Key on dream, a bright red caboose com­ couse by this time Bob is ready plete with cupolas on one end and the big 2-8-8-2 WP mallets also to sleep on his feet so we pull on WP passenger cars••.•••• roof walks in place. Santa Fe ca­ into a motel where we both crash boose number 999197. Okay, so till 9 am Friday morning. it wasn't a speeder. she grabbed r no time in cleaning up the ir prize ...... my heart anyway. With a tear in noted that it said "caboose 999- Two long weeks later (coin­ my eye, I told Mr. Martin that, 197 complete". Bob looked at me cidentally two days after my yes indeedwe would rescue this . and said. "why don't we go back check cleared the bank) I re­ poor damsel of the rails from the into town, pick up a few tools ceived a call from Mr. Martin mean old scrappers torch. With and help the Santa Fe make this on Friday afternoon that the 999- a gleam in his eye, Mr. Martin car complete"? Once again the 197 was moving and should be in took us back to his office where idea man came through. By the Stockton at the UP interchange he wrote out the bill of sale, and time we were done, the only thing by the following Monday. Again I wrote out my check. we didn't have for the 999197 was I was on the horn to let Norman Since both Bob and I had left a radio (never did find one of them) know it was moving (also again he our cameras in the car we didn't and a refrigerator (found one of was not there). so he could make have any picture to take back to them, but it was 15 cars away). arrangements for Uncle Pete to San Jose with us. Mr . Martin Now our only problem was getting move it to Portola. We figured kindly gave us directions on how all those parts back, my little she should reach Portola by Wedns­ to drive around the end of the Datsun was filled with camping day so on Thursday I called Barbara yard to the other side of the equipment. Then I remembered (Norman who?) and was surprised main line where we could park seeing an odd little door below to find the 999197 had actually and walk across to the cabooses. the radio compartment that was arrived at the UP yard in Portola Our status would only be semi­ held in with three screws. Upon on Sunday. a day ahead of its official after all I had a bill of removing the screws we found an supposed arrival in Stockton. sale in my hand, but he did warn ideal space about two foot wide Now , you know the saga us that he himself had been and two foot high by about three of caboose 999197 and how it came stopped by the Santa Fe police feet deep which we proceeded to to be at the Feather River Rail just the week before. fill and then seal back up. Society museum in Portola. So Now a true blue railfan is no­ By the time we finally got out stop by whenever you see one of thing if not resourceful, and both of Barstow that Friday, we were the Santa Fe boys working on the Bob and I had brought along our both too pooped from running be­ tween cabooses to even think caboose and swap a lie or two. official looking (at least at a dis­ Now if we just could figure out tance) white hard hats which we about pitching tents on Tehachapi. So, Friday evening was spent in how to get that Fairmont motor donned before heading out across hooked onto the first axle???? the rails. With cameras in hand a hotel in the t-own of Tehachapi. The Santa Fe Boys: we spent an hour going over 999- The next morning we enjoyed a Errol Spangler 197. It was then that we began few hours of watching both the Bob Lindley to notice the little things which Santa Fe and SP lift tonnage Tom Brann seem to escape the eye when the over the famous loop before heading Fred Seyferth salesman has his arm around your home. Tim Seyferth shoulder. One of the door latches Back in the Bay area I contacted George Lilley was broken, the conductors desk Mrs. Holmes (Norman is never home) Ed Del Prete lamp was busted, the idler pulley to let her know that we had pur­ and belts were missing from the chased the caboose and would get alternator, etc., etc. in touch with Norman when we Reading the contract again, we heard from the Santa Fe that it was moving. THE TRAIN SHEET ISSUE No. 26 SHEET FIVE

LONG ISLAND FA-2 facturers could build them. As LaN units were put up for sale to was inevitable. the PA's and FA's be sold to the highest bidder. During WW II the nations's rail­ served their time and were replaced When the Western Pacific and roads realized the operational ad­ by newer. more reliable. higher BN started pooling power between vantage of diesel locomotives. horsepower units. The PA's and FA's Stockton and the Pacific Northwest General Motors was the only manu­ were traded in or scrapped. Three a number of former Spokane. Port­ facturer allowed to build diesel PAIs escaped the scrappers torch land. and Seattle FA's found their road power by order of the War and are now in Mexico. wrecked way over the high line and through Production Board. Alco and Bald­ and awaiting their fate. Eighteen the Canyon. Several of the FA's win built only diesel switchers. FA's were bought by the Long purchased by Long Island are for­ (Alco. Baldwin. and Lima built Island RR to be used as power mer spas units. They are still in steam locomotives also during this control cars. (Power control cars service. although retirement is not period.) With the hostilities over were placed on the opposite end of too far away. Since the FA's are both Also and Baldwin embarked push-pull passenger trains from the so rare and there would be no guar­ on development of road power. powering unit to provide a control entee that we could obtain a former Alco introduced the PA and FA position for the engineer and to spas unit when they are retired it passenger and freight units in 1946. provide a power plant for train was decided to place a low bid on The railroads were eager to re­ heating and air conditioning.) the first four--just in case. All place steam power and were buy­ Long Island is now starting to four were bid on. with the inten­ ing diesels as fast as the manu- retire the FA units. Four former tion of purchasing only one. We were high bid on three of the the unit was moved through some It has not been decided how to four and were awared #604 at a high vandalism areas no damage paint the exterior of the unit. cost of $2480. occurred enroute. spes units in tan and dark green The unit was shipped from Long Our Alco FA has the original operated over the WP which would Island to East St. Louis, Ill. on diesel prime mover appearing to be look nice. Another good paint without a charge. It was in usable condition, but the genera­ scheme would be Great Northern's then transferred to UP for move­ tor has been changed, the traction empire builder orange and green. ment to Portola, again at no charge. motors removed, and some electri- UP also operated FA's however It arrived on July 5th. The trans­ cal equipment is missing. It would none ventured onto the WP. It portation costs, if charged to us, be possible to restore the unit to might look great in Armor yellow would have been many times the operation, but it would be an ex­ with the blue wings • .• The cost of the unit. It is indeed pensive, time consuming job. In­ 604 will remain in its blue and fortunate both Conrail and UP are cidentally our Alco RS-3's possess white Long Island paint for awhile. willing to help in the preservation identical mechanical and electrical At least we have an FA! of railroad equipment. Even though components.

"Las Plumas" ilepoSls Makes Her Debut AUGUST, 19S7 by direct diesel propulsion of three ROYAL The control bridge and crew's quar­ welcome was accorded main screws at the Western Pacific's new train ters are located in a single-span bridge stern- her thl'ee A amidship. The ship is fully equipped ferry, Las Plumas, when she officially 700- h.p. Enterpl'ise with radio and radar. A novel feature alTived in San Francisco Bay at noon diesel engines and on July 11. is the method of taking on fuel, which one 225-h.p. Murray Believed to be the fil 'st train felTY to will be accomplished by rolling tank & Tregul'tha engine will pl'Ovide a operate on the Pacific Ocean, she came cars aboard the vessel and filling by speed of 12 knots. Over-all length is down from Portland, Oregon, under gl'avity from the cars through man­ 37:" feet. Her beam is 59 feet, and depth her own power with officers and crew holes in the deck. from deck to keel is 16 feet. The all­ living in sleeping and dining cars The 2,255-gross ton ferry, which cost steel vessel will carry 28 loaded freight aboard. Actually, she arrived in San about $1,300,000 to build, is powered cars and has a displacement of 3,500 Francisco Bay about twelve hours tons. ahead of schedule, having maintained faster speeds than anticipated. She passed under the Golden Gate Bridge about 11 p. m. on July 10 and dropped anchol' off the Marina shore. The fol­ lowing morning she weighed anchol' and maneuvered into position just in­ side the Golden Gate to await her offi­ cial welcome. The huge streamlined ferry was soon greeted by geyser­ sPI'aying fireboats, the "great golden fleet" of Bay pleasure boats, whistle blasts from the various ships in the harbor, Belt Railroad locomotives, and other fanfare. Right on schedule for her noontime docking at Pier 18, she acknowledged the "12-0'clock" siren atop the FelTY Building with three long blasts from her whistle'. Among the craft going out to meet the self­ propelled diesel ferry was the vener­ able Western Pacific tug Humaconna, whose job will be absorbed by the new arrival. The Las Plumas differs widely from other ferries that have plied the Bay, being of streamlined design and em­ bodying many new features, perhaps the outstanding one being a bow pro­ peller operable at any angle to the keel fOl' easy maneuverability. She was designed by L. C. Norgaard, San Francisco naval architect, and built by the Albina Engine and Machinery From her deck the vessel's single-span bridge amidship makes an impressive sight. She can Works at Portland. handl_ 28 freigh' cars on her 375-foo' deck. THE TRAIN SHEET ISSUE No. 26 SHEET SIX

Mrs. F. B. Whitman, wife of Western Pacific's president, christened the new vessel at Portland on June 25. Presi­ - dent Whitman and other officers, offi­ cials from the Albina Engine and Ma­ chinery Works, members of the press, and invited guests witnessed the shat­ - tering of a traditional bottle of Cali­ fornia champagne against her bow. W P 's marine department plays an important part in the railroad's oper­ ations, carrying freight cars between -_ J Oakland and San Francisco over what might be called the railroad's "main line" on San Francisco Bay. With the ----' Las Plumas, service will be much illl­ pl"Oved over that formerly provided _ by three barges and two tugboats-the Humaconna and the . The new ship went into service last month following a series of test runs made on San Francisco Bay. It was originally planned to name -WESTERN PACIFIC the new ferry "Feather River." Because another craft is now regis­ ·-MilepoSls tered under that name,it was changed JULY-AUGUST,1967 Diesel 1.)~.)lll.lti ve to Las Plumas­ - which means "The Feathers." - Illai •• tellall~e ).llil()·illg plo.I.le(1 " flr Sto~kto •• CCORDING to plans designed by the A railroad's engineering depart­ ESTERN PACIFIC'S directors on ville and Sacramento-al'e separated ment, the proposed new building will - cover about 42,500 gross square feet. W June 7 approved an expenditure geographically, and n e ither is well of about $2,200,000 for a new, modern located to minimize locomotive move­ It will be used for service and mainte­ diesel locomotive maintenance build­ ments to and from the shops. This sep­ nance of diesel road engines. The ing to be completed about Janua;'y I, aration of operations results in an building will be erected immediately - east of and adjacent to the present 1970 at Stockton, including relocation inefficient allocation of men and ma­ of car j'epair facilities at that point. teI"ial, as well as preventing maximum diesel house at Stockton in the area of The railroad's main general shops will locomotive utilization. In addition, the the present rip tracks. - remain at Sacramento. The new struc­ structure at Oroville was designed for The present !'ip tracks will be re­ ture will be manned by employees now repair and maintenance of steam loco­ located and completely modernized. working for the railroad on mainte­ motives and is old and completely The pI'esent diesel house, after a nance of locomotives at Oroville, Sac­ outmoded. general rehabilitation and a few minor ramento, and Stockton. Prior to any "The problem associated with the changes, will be used for servicing and -~ announcement to the public, employ­ present arrangements will be solved maintaining diesel switch engines. ees in the locomotive department pres­ by transferring the locomotive work • ently working at these points were now being done at Oroville and Sac­ The ventilated and heated diesel informed of the plans by a group of ramento to a new, modern diesel loco­ shop will have a structural steel frame, sidewalls of protected metal, and a Company officers led by Chief Me­ motive maintenance building at Stock­ concrete floor. chanical Officer E. T. Cuyler. ton. This is the location of Western The necessity for the transfer of The bUilding will have two bays. .' Pacific's principal classification yard . operations was explained this way by It is the point of origin or termination Each bay will be equipped with an President M. M. Christy following the of the runs of most scheduled trains, overhead crane. The service bay, action taken by the directors: which will provide more time to work 75' x 288', will have three tracks run­ • "Western Pacific must maintain and on locomotives while they layover ning through the building. The repair improve its competitive position and between mns. This will reduce delays bay (foreground in the drawing above) meet present and future increased now occulTing at Oroville when units will have a single track entering one service requirements, and to do this now must be cut in or out of thl'ough end of the 60' x 242' building. • requires a modern diesel locomotive trains." A spray-type engine washer will be maintenance building properly located MILEPOSTS will keep employees in­ erected outside the engine servicing to assure maximum efficiency of op­ fo rmed of fUlther developments as area. erations. The two principal existing they occur during the next two and Construction schedule calls for the • locomotive maintenance points-Oro- one-half years. completion of the new Rip Track fa­ cilities, Westerly of the Yard Office, MILEPOSTS JULY-AUGUST, 1967 in the Fall of 1967. fip[ap ~ou op pa~pa······································pa~sanbaJ uOT~oaJJoo ssaJpPV

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POST: 6"x 6 '.12=-0" S.45 Redwood Extra Merch. 1 il.=l,--,l-----.JL-...... I...:.L:...----.....-I--I­ BO~RDS: Redwood Clear. BOLTS : fOillmeter with washers. ~~ - I PAINTING : Face of board white, Letters black, Post . 1-, ~ - -~ __ ~ __ ~~~----~~ to hllve a COllt of COlli tc!lr app li ed hot to 6" above ground, balance of post and back of boards painted with metallic and lamp black making a very dark brown . STYLE Of LETTERS: Egyptian ,i"high with 5f W' stroke as indicated. LOCATION : Place a+right an~ les about center of spur or siding on main track side and about 15feet '7lJ' from center of track. "<0 0 '/ PAINTING OF BOARD : Face of board to be given N one cOClt of wh i~e lead and oil po int thinned with turpentine and two coab of white lelld ond oil point.

THE WESTERN PACIFIC RAILROAD CO STANDAIW . NON-A6ENCY SIGN SCALE : r~ r- 0" AOOPTEO JUNE 30- 1924 REV. JUNE I, 1936