Negin Wrote:
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> Out of curiosity, were the bridge units shipped to
> WRM or towed with a train?

KEY UNITS 182 and 186 were towed in a freight train on SP/SN from Oakland. All Key cars, including the WOOD ones used Tomlinson couplers instead of MCB types. Special adapter couplers were devised to allow the Key Units to be pulled in a freight train. The same couplers were used on October 10, 1965 when the units were double-headed and pulled by SN diesel switcher # 202 for a Sacramento Northern excursion over all remaining Solano County trackage. A few years later when the Pacific Coast Chapter-R&LHS decided that they didn't want KEY UNIT # 187 that they had been storing for years, they decided to remove 187 from the Sharpe Army Depot and give it to WRM at Rio Vista Junction. They probably facilitated the transportation problem by using an adapter coupler.. However, I am not positive where # 187 is concerned !!
Note: Now that WRM has considerable electrified mainline, it has always been the "dream" to operate a three-unit Key Train... It would be very impressive looking. BUT, when I joined BAERA years ago, I was told that the Key Units drew a LOT of current to get them moving--but that they only drew about 50-amps @ 600 Volts DC once they got rolling!
Only time will tell, I guess.

KRK