Issue No. 37
November 13, 1996
Steve Sloan
Send news, correspondence and images to:
stevesln@aimnet.com
I have received a very generous contribution to the newsletter. It is
very appreciated. I am planning to use it to buy some software to
help put together the web version. Again, thank you.
As I said in issue #36, This set is going
out to the same mailing list as the last trilogy. I hope to update
the list again for the next release. To keep the Email packages from
breaking the newsletter into too many parts, as well as to keep the
web version from becoming a huge scroll sheet, I have a limit of
about six-seven pages in Microsoft Word per issue. When the content
gets too long, I divide it up.
Multiple sections are becoming the norm. I am considering trimming
the letters section to keep focused on news. For the time being,
though, I want to keep it as is.
Steve
Nov11--Rio Grande F9A 5771 and F9B 5762 were donated to the Colorado
Railroad museum on the last day of SP existence. They are parked on
Coors Property in Golden. The second F9B is now in Cheyenne with the
former CNW F's. 87 UP 9100-series GE C40-8's have been transferred
for use on the SP lines. South of Denver they are used on the
DVHOQ/HODVQ. AC's still being the rule on coal trains. GP30 3015 was
spotted in Castle Rock on a ballast train.
On October 1, the UP began using 160.920 (AAR 54) for dispatching the
MoP line east of Pueblo. Oct. 15, they began using 161.490 (AAR 92)
for dispatching the Tennesse Pass line, and 160.455 (AAR 23) as the
primary yard channel in Pueblo.
In early October at Bufford, Wyo. the UP put twenty cars on the
ground closing P1 and P2 for several days, turning Sherman Hill into
a single track railroad. Amtrak's Pioneer detoured through Ft.
Collins and Boulder on the BNSF. They two weeks later the had twenty
two cars derail at Barrent ( three rail miles east of Cheyenne).
I hope my contributions are helpful and I am grateful to you for
making your services available for free at the time being a "poor"
college student makes life tough.
Zacharey Green
Oct31--I was filming the last days of the Union Pacific using Third
Street in Oakland today. President Clinton was also to arrive in the
area later in the day so a lot of activity but was treated to a
photographers delight - an eastbound UP with seven power units! For
those who are interested they were: UP#6274; then an MPI that I
didn't get the number of; followed by UP#s 3159; 3247; 946(?); 9196
and 9273.
The UP had a MW crew fixing track as I was filming and I couldn't
understand why they would send a crew of at least ten men to fix
track that will be given up after November 6th. I was told that the
FRA has no provisions for traversing broken rail, no matter how small
the break, while the rails are still being used. They will no longer
be used after 11/6 but the crew will have repaired them and they will
go out of service in A-ONE shape.
I also learned that UP will use the old SP (and AMTRAK) main through
Newark and Centerville to the Niles Junction to reach their main
through Niles Canyon. At first I thought they would make the switch
off the old SP main at Fifth Avenue (near the old SP crew shed) but
was told by a source (I have no reason to doubt) they will make the
switch off the old SP main at Niles Junction.
The switch off the SP main to the UP yards is already in place at
Adaline Street in Oakland and all that needs to be done is to sever
the UP main (that went to Third Street) and connect it to the new
switch. Eventually there will also be a switch off the SP main to
UP's connection with the Oakland Terminal Railway. The diamond
crossover now at 2nd and Adaline will eventually be eliminated.
Thanks again for an informative information service. I will drop a
contribution-tithe-donation-stipend in the mail to you for this
service.
Rolland A. Meyers
Thank you!
Steve
Oct31--In an earlier post to you, I incorrectly identified a UP
SD90MAC-H as UP 8102...it should have read UP 8201. Sorry for the
confusion.
Also, IC is reportedly again talking with EMD about a new order of
SD70 or SD75's. And interestingly enough, they will probably be
delivered early to mid 1997 with wide cabs unlike their 1996
order.
Contact me if you'd like further info from the Paducah KY area or
about units at VMV.
Chad Cowan
Yes! I would.
Steve
Check of the Port of Redwood City, CA last night (11/9) shows that UP
has put its crossing gate malfunction notification stickers on all
crossing light/gate equipment on the Redwood Harbor Spur. New gates
and lights are going in near end of track.
UP 872 heard on Broadway Local the other night.
There goes the neighborhood.
- Matt Vurek
Nov06--On the 11/6 Permanente Local UP GP40 872 was sandwiched
between a pair of SP 7200's. This is the first time I've seen UP
power on the Vasona Branch. I saw them on the grade up to the Kaiser
plant at 4:00 (or 1600 in FlimsieSpeak.)
Jon Porter.
Nov02--I saw EMD #205 (GP something) in the East Oakland yard doing
some switching on Nov 2, 1996. It was painted in the nice EMD
demonstrator colors (maroon, silver, gray). Also saw in the distance
another EMD demo unit #7xx. Too far to see the number.
Tony Meadow
Oct30--in TW 35 you wrote:
Oct28--This morning saw my first UP on the Coast Line. It was UP switcher #1009 on the SR 87 overcross, returning to the SJ yard after dropping off some loads at a nearby cement plant. It looked like a newer unit or fresh out of the paint shop.
Dale McGill
I saw this unit from the air on 10/29 on takeoff (to the south) from
SJC
Seth Newman
Nov08--If you had plans this weekend to photograph UP trains down 3rd
St in Oakland, you better go over two blocks to the SP. The UP ran
their last eastbound, an OANP07 on Nov11 in the morning. It was
across the diamond at 730 AM. I shot it at Broadway an again at
Melrose. By the time I returned to Magnolia the SP crews has already
severed the track east of the diamond so as to connect the OT spur
off the SP #1 main. UP crews 50yards away were busy severing the
track and yanking over to the new connection to the SP #2 main. The
diamonds (3) will come after a couple of days. By 1100 AM the
connection between the SP and UP yard was completed and SP signal
gangs were busy running test and connecting things. A NPOAT 6330 West
arrived on the UP and parked at mp 8 , next to SP East Oakland yard
and waited for track crews to line the switch to take the UP train
onto the SP at Strong. Train was then lined into the 70 lead at the
Homestead and across the interchange on Middle Harbor Road.
The OANP 07 in a fitting gesture of defiance while going down 3rd St.
almost took out a small produce truck that was SLOW in reacting to
the train approaching. Plenty of horn was used.
Vic Neves
Veectoor....
Glad you were on hand to record history (Again). Did you have any
inkling this was going to be the last run? Or do you just have a
sixth sense about these things? What a shame, the information
desseminated on the Altamont Press Web Page was erroneous. (Rob had
it for next Tuesday was the day of Cut over). Did anyone see the KTVY
Channel 2 segment on the UP trains moving over to Jack London Square?
It seems you can't please everyone...
Thanx Vic, for being there when we needed you...
James Groenke
Nov04--The following is through Hearne, TX on 11/03/96
|
SP |
PBWCM |
8150,8107,8001 |
|
UP |
LAW52 |
3138,CR519,4147 |
|
SP |
LAMFF |
9299,CR6510,CR5015,9698 |
|
UP |
1CHMXZ |
939,959,902 |
|
UP |
2CHMXZ |
957,966,955 |
|
SP |
1MBSMF |
7416,8368,9651,8031 |
|
SP |
LBMFT |
9734,9732,9673 |
|
UP |
MXCHZ |
3917,3347,CNW5074 |
|
SP |
GID TRN |
4823,7852 |
|
SP |
YD PWR |
HLLX2580(CSX),7858 |
|
SP |
HOHEM |
9362,CSX8200,9308 |
|
SP |
POWER IN YARD |
8705,8303,8700,9311,7361,8691 |
SP 2MBSMF Arrived Hearne shortly after I left.
Jerry Storrs Jr.
Nov11--Anyone interested in realistic train nostalgia should check
out www.miltronics.com and go to the Electric Art section under Train
Series.
Nice Stuff!!
Nov11--For those interested, there is a new site dedicated to the
Santa Fe and BNSF.
On the Santa Fe side, you will find information on the ATSF Internet
Resource Center, Santa Fe Modelers and Historical Society, as well as
links to construction photos of the east and west sides of Argentine
Yard.
On the BNSF side, you will find information on the BNSF corporate
site, BNSF Today newsletter archive, BNSF Dash 9 photos, BNSF Dash 9
specifications, BNSF #2099 photos, BNSF #9297 photos, how many BNSF
Dash 9s have been delivered, the BNSF Warbonnet checklist,
EABS-equipped units, and a future BNSF/NS merger scheme.
There are also links to all of the western railroad news
organizations on the Web, as well as a link to Mo-Kan Video, a
well-known producer of Santa Fe railroad videos.
The site's address is:
http://www.primenet.com/~jimc/qs/qstation.html
James Czarnecki
Nov09--Saw my e-mail in TW #35. I was able
to find #29 and print it, so I'm up to
date.
Will send you a few dollars in the mail form time to time.
Bruce Hollett
Do you have any information regarding separation benefits provided to
either SP or SantaFe non agreement employees who were laid off as a
result of their mergers?
Any help on this topic would be appreciated.
Thanks
Tom Bentzley,
bentzley@voicenet.com
Hi, Steve!
Nov05--Just a quick note to let you know Rob's new URL is:
http://altamontpress.com/
I enjoy receiving Track Warrants, and commend you on getting a
quality product out. I do several montholy newsletters and empathize
with the deadlines and pressure under which you operate. Keep up the
good work!
Tom Krummell
Roseville
Nov04--From reading your latest issue I noticed you mentioned the
FIVE-0 and SP PO etc... as well as saying "glad I parked somewhere
else as 3 cars pulled in and then left". Are they RR PO cracking down
on people photographing in the area of the loop and Caliente and all
those great places? A few years ago it seemed there was never a worry
of that, how about now?
You have a great page, and every time I read your trips, etc. I get
the inkling to head out west again. Actually I'm considering going to
SF in New Mexico next spring, although I should hit the ol' ESPEE
before things change to much.
Mike Denaro,
mike.denaro@eisd.com
Nov03--THANK YOU for your work on this excellent newsletter. Railnet
Day is a great idea! How 'bout asking UP and BNSF to make the data in
their dispatching systems available for us on the big day? (OK, I
know, fat chance...) --
Theodore Phillips,
Theo-Phillips@worldnet.att.net
Oct30--Actually, the correct URL is:
http://members.aol.com/AlcoHauler/home/alcohaul.html
You may wish to publish this change in your next TW due out
mid-week.
Thanks.
PS. Tom may wish to revisit his page to get his "visitor counter"
running for
info. freaks like me.
I've checked it, and it did seem to be stuck! I just accessed it, and
it was at 8264. If someone else could access it and check the number,
I'd like to know if it's now working (it doesn't increment if the
same address accesses the page several times in a row).
Thanks.
by and via Tom Gibson
Oct29--Are you doing an oilcan retrospective? If so I have some good
color shots (for the web page) from last August. Let me know size and
format desired.
Seth Neumann
That's a great idea! If people would like to send me can pictures it would be neat to do. Be selective though, please. Only send good, tight and well cropped photos. I can scan 35mm slides or prints up to 8x10. If you send prints please don't send photocopies. You can also send them digitally. I typically rum Jpegs or Gifs scanned at 75 lines/inch sized at 6" the long way (wide or tall depending whether they are vertical or horizontal.)
Return envelopes would be appreciated for photos. (Unless you want me to add them to my collection!) Photos may also run in the newsletter.
Steve
Oct29--The item about the Amtrak train at Sacramento waiting for a an
engr. This is not at all uncommon today as the last national contract
for UTU and BLE eliminated brakemen and firemen from most runs.
Railroads promptly got in a big hurry and offered severance pay to
induce surplus employees to quit. After several years, this sort of
robbing peter to pay paul has come home to roost with shortages being
the order of the day at any number of crew terminals.
As an example, one very large class 1 carrier in the US recently cut
the number of switchmen on a terminal's extra board. With virtually
no brakemen left to draw extra condrs from, the railroad in question
is forced to draw from extra board conductors at times to fill yard
jobs. Add in the fact that many employees are now also qualified as
both engineers and conductors; watch what happens at this terminal
when they run short of engineers and then draw from a conductors
extra board that is already depleted due to use of conductors as
switchmen. Pretty soon, you are holding road trains as there are no
conductors.
Tommy Hill
Please keep up the brilliant standard of publication, and as an idea
to make it more understandable for us "down under", either a roster
list showing loco no.'s and type for each of the major roads over a
period of time, (eg. SP's roster in TW#35,
UP in 36, etc.), or a model no. after each loco listed (e.g. UP3133
[GE44-9CW], etc.) would help greatly, as the loco roster information
does not appear to be available easily for the major western roads
anywhere on the 'net.
(If it is, please let me know the URL's) !!!
Thanks once again for your patience,
Allan Harnwell
If anybody would like to take this on as a project I'd be happy to host it on my server space.
Steve
PS-Thanks for the contribution Allan!
Oct29--I have a totally impractical question. Where might one find a
caboose to purchase and restore? Would that be something that could
be mentioned in your "Track Warrants" e-mail newsletter?
Ray McAllister, Ray@acpa.org
About 15 years ago, TRAINS Magazine tried to find every number in the
range 1-9999 that had NEVER been used as a number for a (USA) diesel
engine. They found quite a few.
Many mergers, renumberings, and new units have happened since then.
Anybody want to take a shot at this today? All you need is the
all-time diesel rosters of every road in the country...
In practice, you can probably get away with just the larger Class 1
roads. You can also probably get away with something less than an
"all-time" roster, since (it seems, anyway) far more units have been
bought since the start of the 3000 horsepower generation (SD-40, U30)
than before that time.
If anyone wants to try this, let us know of any unused numbers, and
the rest of us might be able to come up with a unit that used it.
Any takers?
Mike Stimpson
mstimp@utsci.com
Thank you for sending me your newsletter. I would like to do the same
for you. I am the editor of the Conrail Historical Society
Newsletter. Please send me your address and I will be glad to mail
you a copy of our newsletter each and every month. I like what you
put in your newsletter and I do use some of it each and every month
in our publication. Once again thank you and hope to hear from you in
the future.
John Cerreta-Editor
Conrail Historical Society Inc.
51 Oak Terrace
Durham, Conn. 06422
ZFHY94A@prodigy.com
I got it, thanks!
Steve
Oct29--A few weeks ago on the RIALROAD list you mentioned that an
Eastern version of TW was in the future. I can't remember if I wrote,
but I would like to get that when it becomes available. Thanks
Walter Wells
I don't remember this...but it's a good idea. I don't know if I have time to do regional editions...gads four of these a week. Right now I don't mind carrying right coast news. I do it often.
Steve
Oct28--Can I run a research request in the next Track Warrants? I am
doing research on the CF-7 project and need a handful of railroads
which operated the CF-7s. I have collected 65+ lines so far and need
only a half dozen or more to complete the roster. If I can run this,
please let it runs as follows:
I am conducting research on the CF-7 rebuild program and need shots
(slides) of the units on the following railroads.
Bay Colony/Massachusetts Central
Keokuk Juncgion
Maryland & Delaware
Osage
AT&L
Washington Central
Your help will be greatly appreciated.
Cary F. Poole,
cary.poole@rampo.angelo.edu
From: James Groenke
o O O O O o o o o o o o o . . . . . . .
__________ ___ ___ __ _
/_______|--`--|_ _|--=-==---|_ _|--,_|__|_ |-+-------`____________,
| ||_| / - | / - \ | || ________ | |
|_|___/------------|----__---------|------|||__|__|__| |Southern Pacific Lines|
|_|____________/-------{__}---------------{__}_______|=|_________ ________|
/_(o)=(o) ( )( )( )( ) [__] ( )( )( )( ) [__]--(o) (o)(o)(o)-----(o)(o)(o)
===============================================================================
James Groenke
The Rail Stock Report, Compiled by Jim Czarnecki, is now available
at:
http://www.primenet.com/~jimc/
