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SLRG 3114 Arrives At Watsonville Junction
Author: Howard
Date: 11-23-2015 - 10:59
Another of the Spirit Of Washington passenger cars, SLRG 3114, has made its way to Watsonville and I joined the crew this past Friday as they picked it up at Watsonville Junction.
The Train To Christmas Town is ready to run and SLRG 3114 will be added to the consist as soon as it is serviceable.
As we passed the agricultural field next to the tracks by Highway 1 I could see the field had been converted to a staging area for the new Manabe-Ow Business Park project adjacent to Highway 1. I hope there will be an opportunity for rail service when the business park builds out.
[www.santacruzsentinel.com]
We headed over the Salinas River towards Watsonville Junction.
When we arrived at Watsonville Junction the conductor aligned the switches to access the garden track where SLRG 3114 was positioned.
SLRG 3114 is a table car and was previously identified as CBRW 102 "Cascade” when it was part of the Spirit of Washington dinner train. This side of the car looked good.
This side not so much. Based on earlier posted photos it appeared this side was tagged either at San Jose or Watsonville.
After inspecting the car and performing a class 1 air brake test it was time to depart. A UP track gang was working on an adjacent track as we worked our way through the yard.
We waited for the conductor to complete the alignment of the yard switches for the trip back to the SC&MB yard.
As we passed the Train To Christmas Town Station I noticed concrete bridge spans. The spans were donated by the GGRM, which may be used to replace existing timber bridges for improved durability and reduced maintenance needs.
As we rounded the curve on the industrial lead heading to the SC&MB yard we encountered a truck parked on the track. A few blasts of MH 89’s horn got the truck drivers attention and he moved the truck.
We crossed West Beach Street shoving SLRG 3114 down the industrial lead that leads to the yard.
And into the yard.
Given this car has been out of service and sitting out in the open for the last seven years it does not appear to be in as bad of shape as they were fearing. Looks like another job for the SC&MB miracle workers. I am looking forward to seeing how it looks after the interior and exterior are cleaned up and it is added to the Train To Christmas Town consist.
The Train To Christmas Town is ready to run and SLRG 3114 will be added to the consist as soon as it is serviceable.
As we passed the agricultural field next to the tracks by Highway 1 I could see the field had been converted to a staging area for the new Manabe-Ow Business Park project adjacent to Highway 1. I hope there will be an opportunity for rail service when the business park builds out.
[www.santacruzsentinel.com]
We headed over the Salinas River towards Watsonville Junction.
When we arrived at Watsonville Junction the conductor aligned the switches to access the garden track where SLRG 3114 was positioned.
SLRG 3114 is a table car and was previously identified as CBRW 102 "Cascade” when it was part of the Spirit of Washington dinner train. This side of the car looked good.
This side not so much. Based on earlier posted photos it appeared this side was tagged either at San Jose or Watsonville.
After inspecting the car and performing a class 1 air brake test it was time to depart. A UP track gang was working on an adjacent track as we worked our way through the yard.
We waited for the conductor to complete the alignment of the yard switches for the trip back to the SC&MB yard.
As we passed the Train To Christmas Town Station I noticed concrete bridge spans. The spans were donated by the GGRM, which may be used to replace existing timber bridges for improved durability and reduced maintenance needs.
As we rounded the curve on the industrial lead heading to the SC&MB yard we encountered a truck parked on the track. A few blasts of MH 89’s horn got the truck drivers attention and he moved the truck.
We crossed West Beach Street shoving SLRG 3114 down the industrial lead that leads to the yard.
And into the yard.
Given this car has been out of service and sitting out in the open for the last seven years it does not appear to be in as bad of shape as they were fearing. Looks like another job for the SC&MB miracle workers. I am looking forward to seeing how it looks after the interior and exterior are cleaned up and it is added to the Train To Christmas Town consist.
SLRG 3114 Arrives At Watsonville Junction