MOJAVE 'LS - Trainlife.com Model Railroading Magazine ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
MOJAVE �'LS
Mco iCentury 628' . • •
Alco IC628" Demonstrator
Numbers 628-1, 628-2, 628-3 and
628-4, OMI #5970
CHICAGO & NORTH WESTERN
"C628" Numbers 6711-6730
(ex-Norfolk & Western numbers
1110-1129) circa 1973,
OMI #5972
LEHIGH VALLEY "C628"
Numbers 625-631 circa
1970, OMI #5977 '.
i§L
MOHOH
MONON "C628" Numbers
400-408 (later Lehigh Valley
numbers 633-641) circa 1964,
OMI #5979
SOUTHERN PACIFIC
"C628" Numbers 4845-
4869 (renumbered to
7104-7128 and finally to
3113-3136) circa 1965-68,
OMI #5984
Handcrafted in brass by
Ajin Precision of Korea in
HO scale. Fifteen versions
available, all with a 22-
inch minimum
operating radius.
Mardan Photography
PACIFIC RAIL
NEWS
16 Minnesota Welcomes TC&W
A new regional formed by the sale of Soo's Ortonville line
Steve Glischinski
20 Mojave Rails UP and AT&SF battle the desert in Southern California
Elrond G. Lawrence
32 Focus Washington: Kettle Falls Locals
A surprisingly busy BN hub in scenic northeastern Washington
John C . lllman
36 Focus Missouri: KCS in Kansas City
Unique locals combine with cool on the main for lots of action
Wayne Kuchinsky
BN's Nelson Local along the Columbia River just south
of Waneta, Wash ., in September 1 988. John C. IIlman
50 Images: The Beets Go On
Sugar beet trains keep plying the rails of the West
PACIFIC RAILNEWS and PACIFIC NEWS are registered trademarks
of Interurban Press. a California Corporation. I DEPARTMENTS I
PUBLISHER: Mac Sebree
4 EXPEDITER 42 B U RLINGTON N ORTHERN
EDITOR: Don Gulbrandsen
NEWS EDITOR: Carl Swanson 6 CHICAGO & NORTH WESTERN 44 SHORT LI NES
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Michael Falk 8 SANTA FE 45 ILLINOIS CENTRAL
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Elrond G. Lawrence
EDITORIAL CONSULTANT: Dick Stephenson 10 SOUTHERN PACIFIC LI NES 47 REGIONALS
ART DIRECTOR: Katie Kern
12 U N I O N PACIFIC 48 MEXICO
PRODUCTION ARTIST: Tom Danneman 14 TRANSIT 50 I MAGES OF RAILROADING
CONTRIBUTING ARTIST: John Signor
15 CANADA WEST 54 PRN LETTERS
CIRCULATION MANAGER: Bob Schneider 32 FOCUS WASHINGTON 54 PRN ADVERTIS I N G I NDEX
© 1992 INTERURBAN PRESS 36 FOCUS M ISSOU RI 55 PRN CLASSIFIEDS
Mac Sebree. President/CEO
Jim Walker. Senior Vice President 40 SOO LINE
Don Gulbrandsen. Vice President
COVER: On Nov. II, 1 99 1 , Union Pacific Dash 8-40CW 9384 accelerates out Yermo Yard
as it approaches Daggett with a westbound drag. Railroads and rugged natural beauty
combine in the Mojave Desert of Southem California as UP and AT&SF main lines race
across an arid landscape to reach the cities of the Pacific Coast. Elrond G. Lawrence
PACIFIC RAn.NEWS (ISSN 8750-8486) is published monthly by Interurban Press (a corporation). 1741 Gardena Ave.. Glendale. CA 91204. Second-class postage paid at Glendale. CA 91209 and additional mailing of
fices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: PACIFIC RAn.NEws. P.O. Box 6128. Glendale. CA 91225. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $30 (U.S.) for 12 issues. $58 for 24 issues. Foreign add $6 for each 12 issues. Single
copy $5 postpaid from Glendale office (subject to change without notice). CHANGE OF ADDRESS: The Post Office does not regularly fonyarct 2nd Class Mail and PACIFIC RAILNEWS is not responsible for copies
not forwarded or destroyed by the Post Office. Replacement copieslPO notifications will be billed. Please allow us at least four weeks for any address change. AD VERTISING RATES: Contact Interurban
Press. P.O. Box 379. Waukesha. WI 531S7; (414) 542-4900. MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE: For all subscription problems and inquiries call: (SOD) S99-TRACK.
December II, 1 99 1 , saw the inaugural run of Amtrak's new Capitol Corridor trains (shown above at
Pinole, Calif.) will provide three daily round trips between San Jose and Sacramento/Roseville. New
power-in a new paint scheme-led the way, Dash 8-32BWH 50 1 , the first of 20 new Amtrak locomotives
delivered at the end of 1 99 1 . Regular Capitols service started the following day. Vic Neves
NEW AMTRAK TRAIN; NEW Davis, Suisun/Fairfield, Mar Southwest Chief. All 20 will be
AMTRAK POWER: California's tinez, Richmond, Berkeley, maintained out of Los Angeles.
latest rail passenger service, Oakland and San Jose. A bus The Dash 8s represent the
Amtrak's Bay Area-Sacramen connection takes passengers first 20 units of a 52-locomotive
to/Roseville Capitols, started from the Oakland Amtrak sta order that General Electric will
regular service on Dec. 12, one tion to San Francisco. build for Amtrak. In 1993, GE
day after a special preview Amtrak put its latest power plans to deliver 22 Dash 8-
•
run powered by No. 501, the on the point of the inaugural 40BPs: 4,000-horsepower en
a first of 20 General Electric
Dash 8-32BWH locomotives
run. Dash 8 No. 501 was re
leased from Erie in early De
gines inside an aerodynamical
ly designed full-width car body,
delivered to Amtrak in early cember and it was placed on and ten Dash 8-32BPDMs. The
December. display Dec. 4 at Washington latter units will carry the same
Three Capitols will operate D.C.'s Union Station. The unit full-width body, but with 3,200-
each day in both directions, was then taken to Chicago, fit horsepower engines and third
with morning, mid-day and ted with Automatic Train Stop rail capability.
late afternoon departures. equipment at Amtrak's 16th
Travel time over the 147-mile Street engine facility, and pow SANTA FE SALE PENDING:
route is three hours and 20 ered the westbound South Santa Fe Southern, a newly
minutes and Caltrans expects west Chief of Dec. 7. formed company, has an
the service to attract 1,400 The remaining 19 Dash 8- nounced that it plans to buy
riders each day during the 32BWH units were delivered to the 18-mile Santa Fe-Lamy,
first year of service. This is Chicago during December, N.M., line from Santa Fe Rail
the first exclusively Northern including at least two light en way and Catellus Develop
California corridor train to be gine moves from the GE plant ment-AT&SF's land manage
operated since the 1962 at Erie. The final six locomo ment company. By 1994, Santa
demise of the Senator, and tives, including No. 500, arrived Fe Southern hopes to have a
the Capitols are the first new in Chicago via a light engine commuter service in place be
intercity service since the move on the afternoon of the tween the city of Santa Fe and
LLI
June 1991 passage of Califor 28th. Currently, Amtrak plans the suburban community of El
nia's Proposition 116-the rail to operate the locomotives on dorado. Freight service on the
bond inititive. The Capitols trains 1 and 2, the Sunset Lim line will continue after the
serve Roseville/Sacramento, ited, and trains 3 and 4, the sale. SFS hopes to break even
4 • FEB RUARY 1 992
with its freight service, it says
passenger service will be vital
to the overall success of the
venture. The present speed
limit on the track is 15 mph.
If the deal goes through as
expected, the new operation
will hire two operating em-
ployees and purchase a freight
engine from Santa Fe Railway
to serve on-line shippers.
RAILROADS SHAKEN BY GM
CLOSINGS: In late December,
General Motors announced
plans to slash its work force by
74,000 and close some automo
bile assembly plants. GM's
plans will effect nearly every
railroad in the nation, since a
substantial part of rail traffic
revolves around moving raw
materials and finished products
for the auto industry.
Among the railroads await
ing word on which GM plants
will close are Union Pacific and
Santa Fe. Southern Pacific has
already received word that a
Van Nuys, Calif., GM assembly
plant will soon close.
BN KEEPS STAMPEDE LINE: Former Santa Fe 4-8-4 375 1 finally hit the rails for a test run on Dec. 20, 1 99 1 , a warm-up for its Dec. 27-30
Despite earlier reports of excursion to Bakersfield. The steamer is shown westbound on AT&SF's line through the Santa Ana River
Canyon with a mile-long string of empty TOFC trailers in tow. William Mays Jr.
pending abandonment,
Burlington Northern has ap
parently decided to hang on
to its Stampede Pass line be million to purchase the line Mountains and its Columbia er's salmon population, some
tween Auburn and Cle Elum, should BN place it on the sale River Gorge route. But BN thing that may boost rail traf
Wash. The line has not oper block. Currently, BN operates feels that barge traffic on the fic. Before any trains run how
ated in seven years and last two busy Washington State Columbia River may be re ever, the Stampede line will
year, the Washington State main lines: the Stevens Pass duced in the near future un require millions of dollars in
Legislature approved $5.2 line through the Cascade der efforts to preserve the riv- repairs. The railroad said it
will make a decision on the
line's future within a year.
Burlington Northern's natural gas-burning test unit, modified SD40-2 7890, is shown on its first test run at
Gate, Wash., on Dec. 1 0, 1 99 1 . The CE ECO-rebuilt locomotive and its fuel tender, BNOT 1 00, were sched PAIR OF MISHAPS FOR BN:
uled to work the Alma Branch for a week in December. Scott E. O'Dell A Burlington Northern freight
train derailment on a curving
overpass Christmas Eve sent a
railroad car tumbling 80 feet
down onto an interstate high
way in Spokane, Wash. No one
was injured but debris dam
aged an automobile and a
Greyhound bus. Spokane police
said the driver of the automo
bile had to floor his accelerator
to evade the falling rail car.
Nineteen of the 108 cars on the
westbound train derailed.
Three cars, including the one
that ended up on the inter
state, hit the ground and two
others were left dangling over
the edge of the railroad bridge.
It was the second BN derail
ment in two days in Washing
ton State. In the first incident
in Everett, Wash.-a tank car
loaded with butane derailed
and caught fire, forcing the
evacuation of 100 residents. The
accident may have been due to
a burned-out wheel bearing.
PAC I F I C RAILNews • 5
CHICAGO & NORTH TERN
the honors shortly after these units ar
rived on the property in August. The bal
ance of the new order was sent out to
Wyoming for coal line service, relieving
the 1989-vintage C40-8s, 8501-8530, and
1990-built 8531-8535. These older (and,in
the case of the 1989 series,lighter) units
are being cycled through Marshalltown for
application of ATC and Union Pacific's
Coded Cab Signal equipment, which will
allow them to operate in the lead any
where on the C&NW and UP main lines
between Chicago and North Platte. As of
Dec. 4, the following C40-8s had been
completed: 8502,8521,8527 and 8530.
The 8527 was spotted leading UP coal
train CCPRM at Council Bluffs on Nov. 18.
At the conclusion of this program,ATC
will be removed from 8543-8549 and these
units will be sent to Wyoming to haul coal.
When this work is done,train watchers on
the ATC-equipped east-west main line
will see 8501-8535 leading North Western
trains, while the other C40-8s will be
largely confined to coal line service.
UP's current orders for new locomo
tives-Dash 8-40CWs 9456-9480 and
SD60Ms 6269-6315, all scheduled for deliv
ery by the end of 1991-will also be capa
ble of receiving ATC signals through a mi
C&NW's Peoria wayfreight shoves 50 loads of corn to the huge ADM plant in Peoria, working
croprocessor-based system developed by
Peoria & Pekin Union trackage on Dec. 3, 1 99 1 . The local job works seven days a week in the
Union Switch & Signal. They will operate
Peoria area, patrolling industries between South Pekin and Normandy, III. Steve Smedley in the lead on C&NW's east-west main as
well, primarily on the stack and TOFC
trains North Western operates under con
at a quarter before midnight on Nov. 21
C&NW Cleans Out Its Locomotive Attic tract for UP. One UP SD60M (number not
behind SD40-2s 6913 and 6893. The sec
ond train, also symboled UNITZ,left Ma known) was seen leading a train over the
As the North Western beefed up its mo son City early in the morning on Nov. 25 C&NW near Beverly,Iowa,in late Novem
tive power roster with SD50, SD60 and with the same power in charge of 22 ber,but assignment of the new UP units to
C40-8 haulers during the 1980s and early the lead position had been placed on hold
dead-in-transit locomotives. NRE, which
1990s,it stored earlier,lighter and older in early December pending resolution of
rebuilds EMD locomotives for railroads
locomotives, including GP30s, GP35s and some technical problems.
and industrial concerns,presumably will
SD40s,which also were more expensive add these units to its inventory at Silvis.
to operate. Some of these units were sold
to Fox River Valley when that spinoff New UTU Crew Agreement
commenced operations, while others C&NW Leases Secondhand GP38-2s
were conveyed to Livingston Rebuild North Western reached a new crew con
Center in 1989. Fifty-three of these elderly In another deal with NRE, C&NW is leas sist agreement with the United Trans
engines, though, continued to slumber ing 11 GP38-2s rebuilt by that vendor at portation Union during November. As of
away the months in storage lines at Oel its Dixmoor, IlL, facility. These units,num press time, the agreement was awaiting
wein, Iowa, and elsewhere. bered C&NW 4701-4711,were delivered ratification by UTU members; the contract
That came to an end on Nov. 27, when during mid-December. We can't provide was to become effective on Dec. 20. Under
C&NW sold its remaining GP30, GP35 and the histories of these units yet,but six of the agreement, which would supercede
SD40 units to National Railway Equip them came from Southeast Coal. One,to the accord imposed on the parties by the
ment Company. The locomotives covered be C&NW 4711, was originally a Milwau federal government following the 1988
by the sale are as follows: GP30s 802-813, kee Road unit and was built without dy strike, all C&NW crews would consist of
8 16, 818, 819, 821-823; GP35s 824-830, namic brakes; the others will have dynam two persons,one engineer and one con
833, 836, 838, 841,843,847-855, 861, 863- ics. C&NW expects to deploy these units ductor or brakeman. Management would
865; and SD40s 869, 870, 872, 878, 882, with its 4600-series GP38-2s on the Iowa have sole discretion to add a third person
886,889, 892, 923 and 926. North Western secondary lines. to any assignment. The accord would also
operated two special trains during late create the new position of "utility brake
November to haul these units out of Oel man." Persons filling this position would
wein. The trains ran south on the Water ATC Plans Refined be stationed in a yard, perhaps with a
loo Subdivision to the Iowa Northern con company motor vehicle,and could help '.
nection at Waterloo,north on IANR to The North Western advised us in early De any crew,road or yard,when needed.
Manly, then south on the C&NW to Des cember of its current plans for applying In return for these concessions, C&NW
Moines, where the power was turned Automatic Train Control equipment to the agreed to increase the "lonesome pay"
over to Iowa Interstate for movement to C40-8s and assigning those locomotives to UTU members receive for working in
NRE's ex-Rock Island shop at Silvis, Ill. service. Initially,ATC was installed on the crews of less than three persons (plus en
The first train of 24 units, symboled (ap first seven units of the 1991 order,8543- gineer). C&NW also will offer to buy out
propriately) UNITZ, departed Mason City 8549; the Marshalltown diesel shop did the seniority of the brakemen who will be-
6 . FEBRUARY 1 992
come excess under the accord at the rate Western system. An example in point oc
PACIFIC RAIl:.
of $100,000 for persons hired prior to curred on Oct. 28, when train PREMA ar
September 1988 and $50,000 for persons rived at East Minneapolis with 20,000 h.p.
hired after that date. The company has in the form of 8529, 8515, 8526, 8534 and NEWS
made no public announcement concerning 8547 on the head end.
NEWS STAFF
this contract pending ratification, but the The C40-8s have been authorized to op
pact appears to hold the potential for re erate over the Owatonna and Iowa Falls
ducing labor costs over the long term. subdivisions (ex-Rock Island Spine Line)
between St. Paul and Chicago Junction,
Iowa. However, the heavier units in the News/information submissions: If you would like to
share items on any of the topics listed below, please
Cowboy Line Developments 8531-8577 series must observe thirteen 10 contact the appropriate columnist at the address list
mph speed restrictions over bridges on ed for each section. NOTE: Do not send photos to
The 11 Nebraska counties served by the this route. The GEs usually appear on the the columnists.
Norfolk-Chadron segment of the Cowboy ITCUS ore loads moving from Minnesota
Line formed a coalition on Dec. 5 to at to Utah and unit coal trains.
Use of MP15DC locomotives on the Pro RAILROAD COLUMNISTS
tempt to raise $8 million for upgrading the
320-mile line. Under plans developed by viso hump ended in November. MP15 1314
AMTRAK/PASSENGER-Dick Stephenson
state officials, the state would buy the line took a trip through the California Avenue 1595 E. Chevy Chase #20. Glendale. CA 91206
for $5 million and look to the communities paint shop in Chicago for a coat of "old AT&SF-Elson Rush
on the line to pay $8 million of the estimat yellow" after it was released from hump P.O. Box 379. Waukesha. WI 53187
ed $12 million rehabilitation cost. Trouble duty, thereafter returning to its customary BURLINGTON NORTHERN-Karl Rasmussen
11449 Goldenrod st. NW. Coon Rapids.MN 55448
is, as we've said before in this space, ad assignment at Janesville, Wis. The SD38-
CANADA WEST-Doug Cummings
vocates of the line purchase haven't been 2s are now handling all the hump work.
5963 Kitchener St.. Burnaby. BC V5B 2J3
able to persuade the Nebraska Legislature In the lobby of One North Western C&NW-Michael W. Blaszak
to appropriate the $5 million needed. Center, C&NW's Chicago headquarters 211 South Leitch Ave.. La Grange.IL 60525
Nonetheless, the "spirit and enthusiasm" building, management set up a sizeable COMMUTER-Dick Stephenson
of local officials for saving the line ran loop of Lionel track around a Christmas 1595 E. Chevy Chase #20. Glendale. CA 91206
high at the meeting in Valentine during tree for the hol'�8Vs. Circling the tree D&RGW-Richard C. Farewell
9729 w. 76th Ave.. Arvada. CO 8CXXJ 5
which the coalition was formed. The state was a short unit coal train powered by
ILLINOIS CENTRAL-David J. Daisy
was gearing up for another round of nego Lionel-built and C&NW-painted C40-8 746 N. Bruns Lane Apt. A. Springfield. IL 62702
tiations with C&NW over acquisition of 8589. Does this presage a 1992 order for MEXICO-Clifford R. Prather
the line in mid-December. more C40-8s? P.O. Box 925.Santa Ana. CA 92702
North Western reached an agreement Thanks to Bruno Berzins, Michael M. REGIONALS-Dave Kroeger
with bentonite shippers, politicians and Bartels, Dave Kroeger, Tom Persoon, Alan 525 6th Ave.. Marion.IA 52302
the Rapid City Area Economic Partnership Hunt and THE MIXED TRAIN. SHORT LINES-Robert C. Gallegos
P.O. Box 379. Waukesha. WI 53187
in early December to delay the formal
SOO LINE-Karl Rasmussen
abandonment of the Crawford, Neb.-Cran 11449 Goldenrod st. NW. Coon Rapids.MN 55448
dall, Wyo., line until May 10, 1993, two SP/SSW-Joseph A. Strapac
years after a flood practically destroyed it.
To save the line, the shippers will have to
* A NEW VIDEO RELEASE! * P.O. Box 1539. Bellflower. CA 90707
UNION PACIFIC-Wayne Monger
produce a buyer before that date. While
the shippers retain access to West Coast
LTV STEEL ORE LINES 13(0 Southhampton Rd. #214. Benicia. CA 94510
TRANSIT COLUMNISTS
and export markets through C&NW's re LTV Steel Mining Company RR
stored connection with Burlington North (formerly Erie Mining Company RR)
CHICAGO-Wynne DeCitti
ern at Crawford, they also want to retain F9S • ALCOS • BALOWI NS SACRAMENTO-Robert Blymyer
the capability of using C&NW and UP to LOCATED ON MINNESOTA'S FAMOUS IRON RANGE SAN DIEGO-Chris Cucchiara
avoid becoming captive to BN. MAINLINE ORE TRAINS. SHIPS. ORE DOCKS SAN FRANCISCO/MUNI-Don Jewell
YARDS· ALCO MINE TRAINS. TACONITE PLANT SAN JOSE-Matthew G. Vurek
1'12 H ou rs · VHS • Color WESTERN TRANSIT NOTES-Richard R. Kunz
$33 95
Live Audio· Narration
Short Items Plus $3.00 FOCUS CORRESP ONDENTS
• Shipping
While the C40-8s were bought mainly for Mike Abalos. Greg Brown. Rich Farewell. Paul
service over the east-west line, they con Fries. Dave Gayer. Steve Glischinski. Wayne
tinue to appear elsewhere on the North Kuchinsky. Carl M. Lehman. Scott Muskopf. Dan
Pope. Ken Rattenne. Dick Stephenson
A system-wide look at the
New England Railroading Calendar
Duluth Missabe & Iron Range RR SUBMISSIONS: Articles. news items and photographs
ORE TRAINS· FREIGHTS. YARDS. PASSENGER are welcome and should be sent to our Wisconsin edito·
rial office. When submitting material for consideration,
MINES & PLANT· ALL·RAIL • ORE DOCKS. SHIPS
inctude return envelope and postage if you wish it reo
2 Hou rs · VHS • Color turned. PACIFIC RAILNEWS does not assume responsibility
$44 95
Live Audio. Narration for the sale return of material. Payment is made upon
Plus $3.00 publication.
• Shipping
WI r esid enls add 5% sales lax EDITORIAL ADDRESS: Submit all photos. article sub·
missions and editorial correspondence to:
--------------
PAcrnc RAiLNEWS
* SPECIAL LIMITED OFFER * P.o. Box 379. Waukesha, WI 53187
0"'1 �66 95 Plus
ORDER BOTH (414) 542·4900
$4.00 FAX: (414) 542·7595
12 Full Color 8" x 10" captioned photos
TAPES TOGETHER \\1 Shipping
AND SAVEIII W residents add 5% sales tax BUSINESS ADDRESS:Address all correspondence reo
$6,00 Post Paid U.S. Only Offer Good Thru February 28, 1992
--------------
garding subscription and business matters to:
;;�iiE'5;;EipRijr;
Interurban Press
Canada $'1.00 Postal Money Order P.O. Box 6128, Glendale, CA 91225
Please allow 3-4 weeks delivery (818) 240-9130
FAX: (818) 240·5436
Dealer inquiries are invited
MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE: For all subscrip'
Mystic Valley Railway Society, Inc, tion problems and inquiries call:
P.O. Box 486, Hyde Park, MA 02136-0486 P,O, BOX 217 • WI 54720 (800) 899-TRACK
PACIFIC RAILNews • 7
elSON RUSH
NTA FE
connected to the engine. Anxieties built
as the boiler temperature dropped for
lack of fuel, but ultimately SBRHS was
able to put the pieces together and had
the engine at the Kaiser switch ready to
go, on the morning of the 15th.
The society meanwhile had faxed its
certificate of insurance to Santa Fe's
Schaumburg headquarters on the morn
ing of the 14th. Hearing nothing from
Schaumburg that day, SBRHS figured the
insurance had satisfied Santa Fe's re
quirements. The following morning,
though, as 3751 chomped at the bit at
Kaiser, word came back from
Chicagoland that no, the insurance
wasn't satisfactory to Santa Fe and no,
there would be no test runs until proper
insurance was provided. SBRHS members
were crushed and angered by this deci
sion, claiming that they had provided
Santa Fe with exactly the same insurance
coverage as the Grand Canyon Railway
had supplied for its Williams-Phoenix
steam excursion earlier in the year. Santa
Fe, though, maintained there were sub
stantial holes in the SBRHS policy.
The stakes were high for both sides.
SBRHS had scheduled a rededication cer
emony for the engine at the San
Bernardino station for 10:30 on the 15th,
and the mayor of San Bernardino and
other dignitaries had been lined up to at
tend. Santa Fe had anticipated that the
engine would be the highlight of a Fami
ly Days event at Hobart Yard on Nov. 16.
The insurance problem, though, forced
cancellation of all of these plans. The L
public officials were phoned and advised
to stay at work, and the 3751 remained
on the plant trackage at Fontana.
It's difficult to predict what's next for
the hard-luck society. As this column is
being written, SBRHS is attempting to
solve its insurance difficulties and get
the engine on the road for tests during
the week of Dec. 16.
LATE UPDATE: After months of dis
appointment, the SBRHS was able to
solve its problems and get the 3751 out
on the road in December. On the after
noon of Dec. 20, the 4-8-4 was placed at
the front end of a mile-long string of
empty piggyback trailers and made a
successful shake-down run through the
Santa Ana Canyon on Santa Fe's San
Santa Fe spread a little Christmas cheer in Southern California by running a series of "Santa Bernardino Sub. Just one week later, the
Claus" specials for disabled children. One of the two-car trains is shown eastbound at the 3751 departed on its historic four-day
Alroy tunnels in Cajon Pass on its Dec. 1 2 San Bernardino-Summit trip. Steve Glischinski trek from San Bernardino to Bakersfield
and back, crossing both Cajon Pass and
make its first test run over the Pasadena the Tehachapis en route. Despite rain
375 1 Follies Subdivision, starting at its home base in and snow, initial reports indicate the trip
Fontana. Santa Fe insisted, though, that was surprisingly smooth. We'll provide a
For want of a proper insurance policy, SBRHS have 3751 pointed west. The en full report in the March issue.
the San Bernardino Railroad Historical gine was, of course, pointed east, and it
Society's long-awaited effort to bring took SBRHS a considerable amount of
steam locomotive 3751 out on the Santa time to jockey it and the tender (sepa Santa Fe Plays Santa
Fe for trials and display during Novem rately, due to weight restrictions) around
ber had to be delayed for another month. the industrial wye in the California Steel Reaching out to the communities it
SBRHS and Santa Fe had set Nov. 15 as facility. As night fell on Nov. 14, SBRHS serves, Santa Fe operated a series of
the date on which the engine would ran into difficulties getting the tender re- Santa Claus Express trains for underpriv-
8 . FEBRU ARY 1 992
ileged children during mid-December. In at the station instead, so the yard was at Chillicothe, Ill., and Marcelin, Mo., in
Southern California, a train consisting of never used for its intended purpose. August, and the new schedules delete
sleeper Regal Lark and business car It is interesting to note that, if the unit times at these points, since trains just
John S. Reed operated from San price MTDB paid for this right-of-way breeze on through now.
Bernardino to Summit and return during were applied to the entire Southern Cali
the morning of Dec. 12, and then fornia line sale package, the acquisition
deadheaded to Duarte (on the Pasadena cost would be about $1.8 billion, or six Chico Chatter
Subdivision) to pick up more kids for a times what the Los Angeles-area authori
round trip to Los Angeles Union Passen ties are willing to pay for it. In contrast to the gloom at other railroads
ger Terminal. On Dec. 13, the same after dismal November traffic totals were
equipment was used for two round trips announced, Santa Fe people were all
between Los Angeles and Fullerton. Freight Service Changes smiles over a 4.5 percent increase in car
In Kansas, the Eastern Region sched load freight traffic and a startling 16.5
uled a tour of the operations center at the On Dec. 4 Santa Fe published an update percent increase in intermodal volume for
Kansas City office building, followed by a of its Transportation Service Plan, which the month. Vice President-Marketing Don
round trip to Topeka aboard a special pas contains the freight train schedules. This Skelton attributed the carload gain partly
senger train, for 18 children and ten ac publication reveals the following to strong grain movements and partly to
companying adults on Dec. 14. changes in freight service during the General Motors' decision to shift many
past few months: auto parts movements from truck to rail,
• Train 194 was established effective reflected by the establishment of train
San Diego Sale Sept. 23 to operate from Chicago to Okla 194. On the intermodal side, it appears
homa City Tuesdays through Sundays, pri more motor carriers are abandoning over
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit De marily for General Motors auto parts traf the-road movements to and from Califor
velopment Board and Santa Fe on Nov. 20 fic. No. 194 is scheduled to depart Corwith nia and using rail instead-a trend Santa
jointly announced the completion of Santa Yard at 5 a.m. and leave Argentine Yard at Fe plans to encourage.
Fe's sale of 3.15 miles of right-of-way be 5:05 p.m. arriving in Oklahoma City at According to Chairman Rob Krebs,
tween Grape Street and Old Town in San 2:40 a.m. (Years ago, the 194 symbol was about two-thirds of the 90 new locomotives
Diego to MTDB for $17.5 million. MTDB used for the Chicago-Denver TOFC sched Santa Fe will acquire in 1992 are being pur
will use the right-of-way, which is be ule, but Santa Fe doesn't compete vigor chased to handle new business. General
tween 35 and 40 feet in width, to com ously for this traffic anymore.) Electric advises that B40-8Ws 560-582
plete the long-planned extension of the • Train 881 was established effective should be shipped in March and April 1992,
San Diego Trolley to the Old Town area; Nov. 19 to handle overflow doublestack while C40-8Ws 800-866 are scheduled for
Santa Fe completed a similar right-of-way traffic from Los Angeles to Chicago. It construction from April through July.
sale from the San Diego passenger station leaves Hobart Yard at 10 a.m. on Fridays Meanwhile, the number of active
to Grape Street in 1989. Santa Fe's exist and Saturdays and reaches Corwith Yard at GP7s on the Santa Fe continues to de
ing San Diego Subdivision main line will 6 p.m. on the second day after departure. cline. During November, 11 of these re
be shifted westward to accommodate • Trains QEPAQ, QAQEP, QAQBE and built units were chewed into scrap metal
construction of the trolley tracks, which QBEAQ, providing intermodal service be at Pielet Bros. in McCook, Ill.: 2008, 2018,
are expected to be completed in 1995. tween Albuquerque, Belen and El Paso, 2058, 2074, 2086, 2094, 2101, 2106, 2112,
MTDB will also extend double track 1,100 were abolished and replaced by trains 2128 and 2139. Many others have been
feet north from the present end of the sec QBEEP and QEPBE between Belen and EI sold for service on short line railroads,
ond track at Old Town to make room for a Paso and intermodallmanifest trains 767 including Santa Fe spinoffs.
planned commuter rail station. and 777. The latter two symbols cover one Burlington Northern obtained formal
The sale spells doom for Wright crew making two round trips a day be authority to lease Santa Fe's line be
Street Yard, which lies in the path of the tween Albuquerque and Belen. tween Rushville and Winthrop, Mo., in an
trolley line and will eventually be dis • Train 305 now terminates at Temple Interstate Commerce Commission deci
mantled. Wright Street Yard was con rather than Silsbee; the Silsbee block sion released on Dec. 6 (see December
structed in the mid-1980s when Santa moves south on train 605. 1991 PRN, p. 11).
Fe removed its downtown yard in San • Train 395 was resymboled 394 and Santa Fe Railway's profits of $80.3
Diego in accordance with the plans of terminates at Oklahoma City. million during the third quarter of 1991
its real estate subsidiary (now the inde Most of the intermodal trains, excluding surpassed income during any quarter for
pendent Catellus Development Corp.) to the premium service runs like 198, 891, 199 the past ten years. The railroad achieved
develop the area around the station. and 991, are setting out and picking up an 85.7 percent operating ratio during the
The yard was meant to hold Amtrak blocks at Clovis, N.M., in accordance with period, increasing revenues by over 5 per
consists laying over in San Diego, but the "Clovis Intermodal Hub" strategy. cent while holding the rise in operating
Amtrak decided to keep these consists Santa Fe discontinued crew changes expenses to 4 percent.
Southern California's
THE TRAIN S HACK contP
(ete
Hobby Shop!
MODELING. COLLECTING. BOOKS
VIDEOS. MAGAZINES
1030 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505
(800) 339-9929
PACI FIC RAILNews • 9
UTHERN PACIFIC LINES
Southern Pacific's Thorne Turn negotiates ex-SP trackage as it returns from the Hawthorne Ammunition Plant on a route recently purchased
from the railroad by the U.S. Army. Powering the Nov. 3, 1 99 1 , train along Walker Lake is one of SP's GP40Rs, along with two Rio Grande
GP30s, which have strayed from home rails thanks to SP's ongoing power shortage. Wayne Monger
Grand Trunk Western: five GP38s. traditional backshop activities from both
Leased Units Satisfy Power Demands Helm: one GP40. Sacramento and Burnham.
Morrison-Knudsen: one GP40.
By Nov. 23, 1991,Southern Pacific's daily National Railway Equipment: three SD40s.
traffic had increased to the point where VMV-11 units: six SD40s and five SD45s. Taylor Yard Fades Away
available SP,D&RGW and SSW locomo Wisconsin Central-21 units: 12 SD45s and
tives could not meet demands. Tradition nine GP40s. The most prominent of all the railroad
ally, the autumn months are busy, with yards in Los Angeles,SP's Taylor Yard, is
motive power demand peaking before being returned to native soil. It is anticipat
slipping back to normal levels early in New Diesel Shop Under Construction ed that the the main line which defines the
the new year. Many "family" units were eastern boundary of the property will be
out of service pending maintenance, so The new "intermediate" locomotive partially rerouted, making a turn to the
the only solution was to enter the lease maintenance facility is now an actual west about two miles north of Dayton Av
fleet market. construction project; if the construction enue Tower (virtually out of work these
Nearly 200 leased locomotives were schedule is maintained,the shop should days) under Interstate 5. The main track
necessary to plug the gap-and more are be operative by early 1993. Exactly what will cross the former hump area, turning
expected, possibly as many as 225 de functions will be performed here remain north again just above the present engine
pending on how quickly shop forces can to be seen,but reportedly the 1980s-vin facilities and upgrading the present en
return SP/D&RGW/SSW units to action. Lo tage "clean room" traction motor shop ginehouse lead as the new main. This kink
comotives have been leased from all over and the expensive new paint booth in the alignment will allow industrial devel
the U.S.-many of them bearing initials or would be among the activities proposed opment in the northeast quadrant of the
road names that do not reflect their true for transfer from Sacramento. former yard without having to build grade
ownership. Here's a summary of the 184 Speculation is rife regarding the fate of separations. The south end of the yard will
units and their ownership: Sacramento Locomotive Works, the home be redeveloped as a terminal for Metrolink
AT&SF-13 units: five B36-7s and eight port for SP's locomotive fleet for 130 years, commuter trains and locomotives.
C30-7s. and Burham Shops,Rio Grande's diesel
Chicago & Illinois Midland: six SD38s. headquarters. So far, D&RGW units
Conrail-22 units: 13 GP40s and nine SD40s. haven't shown up for heavy shop work at T&NO 786 Under Steam
EMD Leasing-76 units: two GP60s,17 SP facilities,but that situation could
GP40s,35 GP38s and 22 SD40s. change if Burnham's downtown site is While steam fans were agonizing over the
GATX: 13 SD40s. sold for development. At that point, antici much-publicized travails of AT&SF 3751 in
GECX-12 units: 11 C30-7s and one B40-8s. pate West Colton to absorb most of the Southern California,they may have failed
1 0 . FEBRUARY 1 992to notice the successful story unfolding on the first five cars following the head-end Branch. The Creede B ranch runs from
the plains of Texas. On Nov. 27, 1 9 9 1 , for motive power must weigh more than 50 Alamosa, Colo . , west across the moun
mer Texas & New Orleans 2-8-2 786 operat tons each. As well, any cars longer than 73 tain-locked S an Luis Valley to South Fork,
ed under its own power in Round Rock, feet are excluded from being placed in any then northwest along the Rio Grande to
Texas, for the first time since going on dis of the first five car positions if aggregate Creede. Local interests were involved in
play there, thanks to the restoration efforts train tonnage exceeds the 4, 000-ton cutoff. the deal and stated plans include acquisi
of the Austin Steam Train Association. On tion of venture capital to be used to pro
the weekend of Dec. 14 the locomotive was vide a scenic train operation to run over
scheduled to travel to downtown Austin, D&RGW Still Wary of Slides the trackage. A consultant has come up
Texas , to be officially dedicated by civic with a projection of 50,000 riders within
dignitaries-but probably not under its Work continues into the winter on the in three to five years of start-up. To date,
own power due to cornmon carrier restric stallation of slide-detector fences along however, the venture capital dollars have
tions. An inaugural excursion to Burnet the Front Range alignment west of Den not materialized.
(about 51 miles) on short line Austin & ver. The highest levels of activity are Thanks to Dick Stephenson and the
Northwestern is planned for the near fu found west of Crescent siding and east of Colorado Railroad Museum.
ture. Coaches for excursion service have tunnel 22. Relatedly, through November
been obtained from the Cuyahoga Valley and December Rio Grande stationed track
Railway in Ohio and were noted in excel patrolmen at the location of the Sept. 30
Make Tracks...
lent condition on arrival. It is anticipated rockslide/wreck and between tunnels 18
that regular service will begin this spring. and 1 7 on a 24-hour basis to watch the
cliffsides for any signs of instability. ... to your nearest mallbox and send for the
latest copy of the free Consumer Information
In other Moffat news, the Moffat Tunnel Catalog. It lists about 200 free or low·cost
SP Power Dominates Denver Trains Commission recently approved the placing government pubUcations. Just send your name
and address to:
of a four-inch galvanized steel conduit
CoD8umer Informatloo Ceoter
The motive power crunch on the Moffat through the Moffat Tunnel by SP Telecom Departmeot MT, Pueblo, Colorado 81009
main eased somewhat toward the end of munications. This line will form part of a
1 9 9 1 , helped by an influx of units from fiber optic network being constructed be
SP into the Denver-area mainline pool. tween Salt Lake City and Denver. It will be
"JUST LIKE
As a result, motive power on the RODVT used by MCl and other carriers. BEING THERE
(Roper-Denver trailers) and DVOAT (Den IN PERSON"
ver-Oakland trailers) was dominated by
9600-series SP/SSW GP60s. When uti Traffic Weak on the D&RGW; GP35s on
EXCITING NEW RAILROAD VIDEO PRODUCTIONS
lized, D&RGW motive power is assigned Way Out?
#1 - AT&SF 3751 COMES ALIVE! - Have a good look at this
to RODVT to complete power transfers latest locomotive to return to steam! Features restoration ef
from west to east. Normally involved are Traffic, with the exception of unit-coal op fort and shop tour at the ex-Kaiser Steel Mill, Fontana, CA.
erations, has fallen to low levels on the Rio then the great public debut there with many run-bys. mishaps,
PTC- equipped SD40T-2s/SD50s whose
and railcars tour - 85 Min. - $22.95
services are badly needed for Denver Grande; sources cite the current recession
and business lost to UP and AT&SF. The #2 - A VISIT TO PERRIS - See the operations at the OERM
area unit-coal operations. A similar situa
in Perris. CA. Many trains. trollies incl. VC #2 steam Prairie
tion occurred during the latter part of lull in business may spell the end of the loco. P E. Red Cars IN ACTION!, approx, 2 hours - $22.95
1 9 90 when many Rio Grande main line line for yet another aging locomotive mod
#3 - A VISIT TO KIRKWOOD - See the INCREDIBLE Museum
operations out of Denver were put under el on the D&RGW-the company's cantan of Transporation near SI. Louis, Mo. Large and varied
kerous GP35s may be stored or sold once locomotive collection includes Burlington Zephyr, Frisco 1522,
the control of SP/SSW motive power. As
Milwaukee Road Bi-Polar, Aerotrain - Approx. 1 hr. -
per the 1 9 90 scenario, though, Rio SP Lines gets past its current motive pow 522.95
Grande's unit-coal trains continue to re er shortage. This follows actions that left
#4 - L.A. RAILROAD MUSEUM TOUR - See the many in
main the domain of normally pure stored F9s, 5762, 5763 and 577 1 , and SD9 teresting locomotives and apparatus at the Travel Town ex
lashups of D&RGW SD40T-2s/SD50s, 5305, as the only first-generation diesel hibit in Griffith park, L.A. and the HUGE BIG BOY & TEXAS
type locomotives, etc. at the Pomona Fairplex - over 1 hour
with the occasional exception of CLA power on the Rio Grande roster.
- 522.95
lC/AlCLC (Coleto Creek, Texas to Axial
#5, 6 - SoCal RAILSCENE VIDEOLOG - An ongoing Series
Mine to Coleto Creek, Texas). showing everyday rail traffic through the greater Los Angeles
After looking into the rash of recent de Creede Line Sold for Proposed Tourist area, inci. SP, UP, SFe, Cajon Pass, San Timoteo, chases.
All tapes in Series are 2 hours - $22.95 ea. Vol I & Vol. 2
railments and evaluating potential problem Operation
sites on its system, SP released a directive VHS Only. $3.00 S&H ea. tape, CA Residents add 8.25%
Sales Tax. Send Money Order or Check To:
applicable system-wide which states that Rio Grande recently agreed to sell the OM&C VIDEO
for any operation greater than 4,000 tons, South Fork-Creede segment of its Creede P.O. BOX 4640 • EL MONTE, CA 91734
Phone (818) 579-4431
THE LITTLE DEPOT
A tradition in Southern California for over 20 years
The latest in books, videos, collectibles
and models. In Hobby City ...between
Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.
1238-A S. Beach Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92804
(714) 828-5080
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
PACIFIC RAILNews • IIUNION PACIFIC
Idaho Line Sale Package Modified
Fallawing last year's failure to. sell the 476-
mile " Baise Group " branch lines in west
ern Idaho., Unian Pacific has madified the
sale package and is naw affering just
three branches tataling 268 miles. Twa af
the three lines were part af the ariginal
package-72 miles af the Idaho. Narthern
Branch between Emmett and Cascade,
plus the 29-mile Payette Branch from Em
mett to. the main line at Payette. The third
branch for sale is the scenic 84-mile
Jaseph Branch running from La Grande to.
Jaseph, Ore.-the first time this line has
been affered for sale.
Repartedly, UP expects the sale af the
branches to. be campleted by February.
Bath the Jaseph and Idaho. Narthern
branches have gaad traffic levels, which
UP maves with three round trips weekly
an each line. There has lang been tremen
daus interest in preserving the Jaseph
Branch for industries that utilize rail ser
vice in the Jaseph/Enterprise area.
In December, UP was still reviewing
bids from shortline aperatars interested
in leasing UP branches in eastern Wash
ingtan. Apparently, UP has narrawed the
field af 35 interested parties dawn to.
faur, including Watca (see PRN 336),
Railtex and the nearby Mantana Rail
Link. Branches for lease in the Walla
Walla area include the 31-mile Wallula
line from the Spakane Sub main at Wallu
la Junctian to. Walla Walla and 64 miles af
the Daytan Branch north from Walla Wal
I
la to. Daytan and sauth af Walla Walla to. a
frozen faad packing plant at Westan.
Branch lines far lease in the Palause area
include the 29-mile Mascaw Branch be
tween Calfax, Wash., and Mascaw, Idaho.,
the remaining sauth end af the Tekaa
Branch fram Haaper Junctian, Wash., to.
Calfax, plus the remaining sectian af the
Pleasant Valley Branch.
The lang battle to. save the abandaned
Tetania Branch in eastern Idaho. has
Linking Chicago with Mexico City-but still a long ways from its destination-Union Pacific's
failed. The Scenic Railway Assaciatian af
southbound AIZ crosses the Kaskaskia River at Shelbyville, III., on Oct. 8, 1 99 1 ; the Shelby
Ashtan was aut-bid by a scrap campany.
County Courthouse is visible in the background (at right). Daniel M. Schroeder
Crew Agreements Nearly I ntact require trains to. be under a certain length idled warker 75 percent af their current
and allaw no. en route switching. UP's pay until they are reactivated or released.
During Navember, Unian Pacific reached a agreement will immediately place Santa Fe
tentative agreement with the United at a disadvantage for Chicaga-LA traffic,
Transpartatian Unian to. reduce crew mem as its current agreement places a restrictian 3985 Should be Busy While 844 in Shop
bers an certain trains to. just an engineer af 50 cars an trains with twa-man crews. in 1 992
and a canductor, eliminating the brakeman At current traffic levels UP has estimat
pasitian. The propased agreement-await ed that twa-man crews an many trains The steam program aperated by Steve Lee
ing ratificatian by unian members at press will result in nearly 4,000 surplus crew aut af Cheyenne will repartedly be dawn
time-wauld allaw eliminatian af the members. To. affset the impact af this to. ane aperating steam lacamative far
brakeman an all thraugh trains maving be mave-and to. keep a paal af experienced mast af 1992. The 844 will undergo. an ex
tween crew change paints, especially UP's pea pIe to. call upan in the future-UP has tensive averhaul this year, placing the re
many daublestack and "Z" trains. agreed to. pay each emplayee that chaases spansibility for mast steam trips with the
According to. industry saurces, the new early retirement a $60,000 valuntary sepa 3985. Due in part to. the work to. be dane
agreement wauld allaw twa-man crews ratian allawance. Far thase who. wish to. an the 844 this year, there will be little or
with no. train length limits and wauld allaw stay with the railraad to. help handle UP's no. work dane an UP's A-B-A set af E9s.
as many as three " work events " - such as projected 25 percent increase in traffic As currently projected, the 3985 will
switching-en route. Agreements an ather aver the next five years, the agreement make at least three majar trips in 1992, the
railraads where twa-man crews are in place will establish a reserve baard paying an first being in July to. San Jase for the NRHS
12 • FEBRU ARY 1 992national convention, the second being a Canal Street near downtown Chicago. Green River). Empty coal unit trains re
trip to the Texas cities of San Antonio, Fort In Texas, UP is also seeking permission turning from Lawrence, Kan., have also
Worth, Galveston and Houston in August to lease 26 miles of Southern Pacific track been routed via the Kansas Pacific line.
to coincide with the Republican National age running through College Station, be Due to the lack of lengthy sidings on the
Convention in Houston and the third will tween Navasota Junction and Bryan Junc stretch of this line between Oakley, Kan . ,
be in November to operate the annual tion. This line is part of the UP's Fort and Salina, Kan . , when there are two op
Santa Claus Special on CSX's ex-Clinch Worth Subdivision main line but is owned posing unit trains scheduled to operate,
field line. The last move is in response to a by SP. UP is also asking the ICC for per one is routed north over the parallel 224-
personal request from CSX president Jerry mission to serve industries along this sec mile Plainville Branch.
Davis, former VP-operations for UP. There tion of railroad, which they now cannot do
is a strong possibility that the 844 will be as UP trains are only allowed to operate
ready in time for the annual River City directly over this segment. Join Our News N etwork
Roundup trip to Omaha in September. Canadian National and Union Pacific in
October agreed upon a new marketing This news column, like most every other in
contract that covers boxcar traffic. This is this magazine, is made possible by the
New Power Keeps on Coming just one more step in placing into effect contributions of a very, very small percent
unhindered routing of shipments between age of our readers. These invaluable peo
The latest order of 48 EMD SD60Ms started Canada and Mexico-if and when the ple are those who are interested enough in
to arrive on the property on Nov. 24, when North American Trade Agreement is ap what is going on around them to let the
the 6271 and 6274 showed up. This new proved by the U . S . , Mexico and Canada. various new� editors know what they have
batch of EMDs is UP's fourth order for the The CN has recently reached similar seen or read. To these handful of people
3, 800-h.p. locomotive equipped with the agreements with BN and Norfolk South that keep this particular column going
North American Cab and are numbered ern. With this contract in place, the com from deadline to deadline, l owe my grati
6269-6316. Meanwhile in mid-November, plicated process of billing and routing a tude and a very large thank you for their
the last of the new General Electric Dash 8- boxcar shipment across an international efforts in the past and in the future.
40CWs arrived, with the 9478 and 9479 hit border is now simplified. We all wish that more of our readers
ting home rails on Nov. 1 1 . UP 9480, During December, UP had ten pairs of will become involved in these columns by
equipped with the new design of electronic helper locomotives assigned to the Blue contributing news. The most valuable
air brakes and Integrated Cab Electronics, Mountain grades , basing them out of La simplest thing any reader can do to con
arrived in December after testing. Grande, Ore. Most of the pairs consist of tribute to a column is to pass on a news
As the number of locomotives remain older SD40-2s, with an occasional C 30-7 paper article concerning a specific rail
ing either lettered and/or painted for Mis mixed in. road from your local newspaper. Ninety
souri Pacific rapidly approaches zero, the The new wye track at the junction of nine percent of the time, no one else with
number of such units going through the the Falls City Subdivision in south Omaha your interest in today's railroad industry
paint shop at the Jenks Shops in North Lit was expected to be in operation by the has seen that article and sent it to a news
tle Rock, Ark . , also approaches zero. In end of 1 9 9 1 . Once in place, this will allow magazine like PRN. Such articles often are
November, only three units were repaint for an increase of traffic using the Falls the core of this and other news columns
ed and renumbered. These were B23-7 City Subdivision between Kansas City and in PRN, as well as the " Expediter" sec
46 1 1 to UP 1 1 1 , GP38-2 2032 to UP 1 8 1 2 Omaha. The primary use will be to allow tion. Just by doing this, you too can have
and SD40-2 3 1 5 9 t o UP 4 1 5 9 . westbound empty coal unit trains to run an impact on how each news column
from Kansas City to Omaha and then on reads every month !
west to North Platte, providing a relief Thanks to Curt Howell, George Cockle,
Armour Yellow Shorts . . . valve for the ever increasing traffic load Steve Kalthoff, David Stimac, Union Pacif
being seen on the Marysville Subdivision. ic Railroad, FLIMSIESt, NORTHWEST RAILFAN,
UP has asked the ICC to approve its pur Another way that the UP has been able THE MIXED TRAIN and TRAFFIC WORLD.
chase of 100-percent control of the eight to divert some trains away from the
mile Chicago & Western Indiana Railroad in Marysville Subdivision is by using the
the Chicago area. The C&WI has long been lightly traveled " Kansas Pacific " main line
jointly owned by Missouri Pacific (through between Topeka, Kansas and Denver, Colo.
See
the Chicago & Eastern illinois), Grand Besides the usual grain unit trains that
Trunk Western, CSX Transportation, Nor originate along this line at times, UP is us
folk Southern and Conrail. UP plans to pay ing this line to move soda ash unit trains
cash and exchange property with the other
owners of the C&WI to gain control. The
between Green River, Wyo . , and Texas and
return with some of the symbols of these
You In
C&WI offers UP direct access to the Global trains being OKCSGR (Ore KCS-to-Green
One and Global Two interrnodal facilities at River) and OTXGR (Ore Texas City-to-
���m
220
S
fA\t uth
EXTRA 2200 S O UTH
is back and under
an
NEW M ANAGEMENT
Jose !
Tho locomo'IYe Ne-.vsmogo;r;ino
The Motive Power Magazine. The latest infonnation and photos of what's happening in the
industry, as well as thorough and detailed historical and current rosters, summaries, techni
cal information, and other features. No Advertising C arried.
Available direct or at better hobby stores.
Subscriptions: 4-issues $ 13.75 or 6-issues $20.50 (via second c1ass mail)
Extra 2200 South Box 81 1 0-820 Blaine WA 98230-2107
PAC I F I C RAILNews . 1 3PRN STAFF
TRANSIT
On Nov. 29, 1 99 1 , Portland kicked off its new vintage trolley service between Lloyd Center and downtown; the 5 1 1 is shown on its first run,
departing the Lloyd Center spur and entering M AX trackage with dignitaries aboard. The trolley, running weekends only, is offering free
rides throughout the winter. Kristopher Lundt
was the recently completed Systems Plan initial light rail starter line. With commu
Sacramento ning Study. The study served as the cata nity support solidly b ehind light rail,
lyst for bringing together political leaders, FOLR is now focusing on helping with
A NATIONAL LEADER: Sacramento is local planning agencies and citizen support improvements to stations, supporting
fast becoming a national leader in the de groups in forming a comprehensive transit planning workshops to attract more user
velopment of electric transit. In addition plan for the next two decades. friendly developments around stations,
to the very successful light rail system CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: As of and promoting a Downtown/Old S acra
the River City is now looking at imple November 1 991 , Sacramento's RT had com mento historic trolley line.
menting electric trolley coaches as p art of pleted its sixth major project to improve the Robert W. Blymyer
a community-wide program to clean up safety reliability and flexibility of the 1 8-
the air by reducing vehicle pollution. mile light rail starter line. Construction of
There is now joint approval by the transit 1 1/2 miles of new track, plus station im San Diego
board and the local utility district (SMUD) provements was wrapped up in North
board to move ahead with a plan that Sacramento from the ArdenlDel Paso Sta EVENTS: Nov. 14 marked the long-await
would have the utility company install tion to the Swanston Station. ed opening of the America Plaza Transfer
and maintain all overhead wire, with When light rail service was initiated in Station at Kettner and Broadway. The
transit (RT) purchasing electricity at the 1987, the system was approximately 40 domed trolley station is on the ground lev
wire instead of at substations. percent double track and 6 0 percent single el of San Diego's tallest-35 stories
TWENTY YEAR VISION: The RT Board track. Now it is about 60 percent double building. Originally the station was to be
of Directors has adopted a Long Range De track and 40 percent single track. called Great American Plaza, but its name
velopment Plan that will eventually add FRIENDS OF LIGHT RAIL: In addition sake bank, Great American, fell on hard
nearly 1 0 0 miles of new track to the light to strong transit board leadership, S acra times and sold its assets to another insti
rail system by the year 2 0 1 0 . This is pre mento also has a private non-profit group tution. Eventually the station will include
dicted on current funding sources aug that supports light rail. The Friends of an art gallery, specialty shops and restau
mented with some new financing mecha Light Rail (FOLR) was organized in 1 9 8 5 rants . . . On Nov. 2 1 , representatives from
nisms still being worked out. t o help educate the public and some MTDB and the Cities of Santee and El Ca
The basis for the Rail Development Plan business leaders as to the benefits of the jon " drilled" holes for bridge piers to kick
1 4 . FEBRUARY 1 992off construction of a railroad bridge over tending north from downtown should be Santa Fe properties in Southern California
Main Street in EI Cajon; it's part of the placed underground-Amtrak, trolley, to be $ 1 7 4 million. Santa Fe has even
Santee extension. The bridge will cost freight and the future commuter line. asked the board to reduce this figure for
about $ 8. 3 million. The entire 3 . 6 mile ex OLD TOWN RIGHT-OF-WAY: In tax purposes. Still, it is asking local transit
tension's budget continues its climb-it November, MTDB struck a deal with San authorities to pay more than four times
started out under $60 million in 1 9 8 9 , but ta Fe to buy 3 . 1 5 miles of railroad right that amount. To try to get negotiations
today it hovers at $ 1 1 4 million. D elays of-way for the trolley's Old Town exten moving again-the last session was
caused by environmental and alignment sion. The $ 1 7 . 5 million price tag includes September 6-the rail authority has filed a
issues have changed start up dates sever a 35 to 40 foot strip of right-of-way ex petition with the Interstate Commerce
al times. First projected to open in 1 9 9 2 , it tending from Grape Street, near the Commission to intervene. The transit
looks as if the first trolley won't arrive in County Administration Center, to the San group believes that federal law requires
Santee until 1 994. When the trolley does Diego River, just north of the proposed railroads to share their tracks and other
begin service, it should take 1 2 minutes to bus/trolley station in Old Town. To make rights of way and wants the ICC to en
get to Santee from EI Cajon. The Santee room to double-track the new trolley line, force the law. SCRRA is offering $300 mil
extension will have three stops : one south MTDB will shift Santa Fe's tracks to the lion for the track and 28 station sites.
of Fletcher Parkway on Marshall Avenue , west. The line is expected to open in THIS AND THAT: The trolley's farebox
one east o f Weld Boulevard and Forester 1 99 5 . The Old Town extension has ex recovery rate has dipped to a low of 72
Creek and the terminal at Santee Town ceeded earlier budget predictions, too. percent. Trolley officials blame the slump
Center. Current estimates come in at $9 1 . 7 mil on the recession and a reduction in mili
MORE ON HARBORVIEW: By a 4-2 lion; that includes property, tracks, rail tary riders because of the Gulf War. The
vote, the Port Commission rejected vehicles and at least five stations. trolley is considering beefing up advertis
MTDB's request for $ 1 6 million to help pay While negotiations between MTDB ing-San Diego Trolley hasn't had to
for construction of an underground trolley and Santa Fe were successful, the South spend much on advertising in the past-to
line through Harborview. It is possible, ern California Regional Rail Authority, boost the sagging ridership figures . Some
though, that the city's hotel-motel tax ac the five-county group (San Diego is not a ideas : advertising jointly with area shop
count may come to the rescue and provide member of SCRRA, but is taking part in ping centers or staging more special
up to half the money needed to put the the talks with the North County Transit events, like La Mesa's Octoberfest. That
trolley underground. MTDB plans to go District) trying to gain access to 3 0 0 affair attracted over 73,000 riders on one
back to the Port Commission and ask it to miles of Santa Fe tracks for commuter day alone-a new record . . . Wheelchair
provide the remaining $8 million . Some re rail, has yet to get the railroad to reduce passengers apparently find the trolley
cent newspaper editorials suggest that its $ 800 million asking price. easy to use ; 607 boarded the red cars in
putting the trolley underground isn't Interestingly, California's Board of October; 572 in September.
enough. They say all of the rail lines ex- Equalization had estimated the value of all Chris Cucchiara
CANADA WEST
lenge for lumber service. These six cars able them t o continue t o serve customers.
VIA Rail are modified from bulkhead flats with a CP had Soo Caterpillar-engined 4301 on
center-beam interior and exterior roU-up line for a week of testing during Septem
In recognition of the increasing Japanese doors. A second curtain car design, basi ber. CP SW900 6 7 1 6 has been renumbered
tourist business VIA has installed cally the same as the earlier cars except it to shop tool 6 1 95 and been reassigned as
Japanese language signs at the Vancouver will not have the center-beam and will be the Ogden shop switcher. Fifteen GATX
station, as well as on board the Canadian, for pulp service, is under development and SD40-2s, 7359 to 7373, were leased by CP
including menus. was due out of the shops early in 1 9 9 2 . during September and have been showing
The log flat conversion program i s now up all over the system.
-
scheduled for January and February 1 992,
BC Rail and will consist of converting 75 existing
52-foot-eight-inch bulkhead flats into 62- Canadian National
The Caterpillar program is now running
foot-nine-inch log flats, to be numbered
smoothly and on schedule, with the 6 1 1
10300-10374. The cars are destined for the CN has applied to abandon the line be
placed into service Aug. 7 , 1 9 9 1 and the
recently reopened Talka Lake line. tween Roundhill and Tyley ( 1 2 . 9 miles). on
608 due out sometime in D ecember. The
Passenger traffic on BC Rail's Budd the D emay Subdivision in Alberta. The
conversion of the 6 1 0 is well underway
cars was up in 1 9 9 1 over 1 990 by more last traffic on this line was in 1 987.
and it will be the first unit outshopped in
than 4 , 000 riders. Retired SW900 404 has been sold to Es
1 992, with 6 14 to follow.
so Chemicals at Redwater Alberta.
Two more of the Alcos have been re -
tired and sent off to GE, with the 706 and C P Ra i l
720 leaving the property Oct. 1 2 , 1 9 9 1 .
SD40-2s 764, 7 6 5 and 7 6 6 have been The Canadian Pacific roundhouse and
modified and have received Locotrol II shop complex in Victoria, B . C . , has been
equipment. The 754 has not been repaint officially designated as a heritage site.
ed into the red, white and blue, leaving Although they have not been used for
only the 753 and 756 in the two-tone some .time, CP has finally gotten around to
green paint. The Mohawk Adirondack & retiring most of their remaining Robot
Northern was trying to arrange financing cars, writing off 1 00 5 , 1 0 1 8 , 1 0 1 9 , 1 0 2 0 ,
so they could exercise their option on the 1 0 2 1 , 1024, 1 0 2 5 , 1 02 6 , 1 02 8 , 1 0 3 1 , 1 050 W I S C O N S I N CENTRAL
Athearn units done in Track One custom paint. Shell
last three C425's on the property, the 802, and ex-BCOL RCC7 and RC C 8 . 542.00; shell plus Athearn drive 565.00; shell plus
803 and 8 1 1 . CP has applied t o abandon between tuned can dnve $85.00; Shell plus Overland power
chassis $115.00 ( not avail. 50-45). Directional
In the car department, five more " cur Langdon and Shepard ( 1 1 . 5 miles) on the li h in
tain car" modifications were due out of Strathmore Subdivision in Alberta, and from
g t
� �� ��\:';
� � / �: �5. GP-40-2, 5D-45.
Check, MO, Visa, MC Give number & expiration
the car shop during December, numbers Langdon to Irricana (25.9 miles) on the date. Shippin $2.50 or buy direc from our dealers.
g t
60001 to 60005, joining prototype 6000 for Langdon Subdivision, also in Alberta. CP GREENWAY PRODUCTS
Rl, Box 244) • Ligonier, PA 15658
a fleet of six, all assigned to Fletcher Chal- has obtained running rights on CN to en-
PACIFIC RAILNews . 1 5You can also read
