Last of the SP mixed trains
Author: SP5103
Date: 09-16-2014 - 10:57
Anyone have any additional information to add? Looking for mixed or branch (non steam heated) passenger trains that ran in the 1950s or beyond.
Trains 381/382 listed as the Tomahawk from Globe to Bowie, AZ and return. Not really a mixed train, but was one of the last rural branch passenger runs. Either GE 70t 5112 or 5118 for power, RPO/Express and coach. Last run Dec 31 1953.
Out of Benson, AZ (all trains through Fairbank):
944/945 Mondays and Thursdays to Patagonia and return (last train 1962)
942/943 Tuesdays and Fridays to Ft. Huachuca and return (last train?)
940/941 Wednesdays and Saturdays to Tombstone and return (Aug 13 1960 last train)
I think all three trains used the same combine. GE 70T #5115 on trains, Patagonia branch was restricted to small power. Picture of 5200-5202 class at Ft. Huachuca with combine but June 1953 public timetable shows no passenger service for that train beyond Fairbank.
952/953 Lordsburg, NM to Clifton, AZ - listed in June 1953 public timetable as a mixed. Found one claim it ran until 1967? Power and consist unknown, maybe 5200 series and combine?
452/453 SD&AE - through passenger service abandoned but they were required for several years to continue on the Mexican side. Combine added to daily freight between Tijuana and Tecate. Apparently combine swapped out for caboose at TJ and Tecate. Power inlate era were six axle Baldwins, RSD5s, then F units and GP9s.
357/358 - Inter-California Railway between Mexicali and Algondones. I believe this line was built/operated by SP until abandonment. One the Mexican side until crossing back over into California just west of Yuma. Grade still visible if you know where to look.
Nacozari Railway - Agua Prieta, MX (Douglas, AZ) to Nacozari, MX. Was SP, became part of Mexican system. I saw my first and only active RPO in Agua Prieta in the 1980s. Not sure if the line even exists - the US side out of Douglas is gone.
NWP - Didn't the RDC or a passenger train run from Willits to Eureka right up until Amtrak?
SSW/TN&O/Atlantic system - I know there was a mixed train in Texas late. Had the small modern 4-4-0 E23 class then a GE 44 ton.
Mina Branch - Reno/Sparks? to Mina, NV. Had RPO service late or until end. Baldwin 5200s for power? May have needed two sets of equipment due to layover in Mina? Last passenger service?
Any additional? Coos Bay and the Siskiyou line had passenger service late, but I can't think of any Oregon branches that kept mixed trains late except maybe Tillamook. Nothing comes to mind in California. The old Dawson branch in New Mexico looks to have had something between French and Tucumcari in June of 1953. Besides Mina, the Fallon branch might had had something fairly late in Nevada.
Thanks