SP 0-6-0 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just read an article in Pacific News (July 1992)
> on the Modoc Line by Greg Brown:
> [magazine.trainlife.com]
>
> Learned some things from the article:
>
> 1) In January, 1987, after the SP/SF merger
> failed, the Modoc was closed as a through route:
>
> "Despite saving 257 miles and two crew changes
> between Klamath Falls and Carlin, Nev., the
> Modoc was closed as a through route in January
> 1987."
>
> 2) Rio Grande wanted access to Oregon via the
> Modoc as a condition of the SP/SF merger. So
> right after Rio Grande merged with SP, they
> reopened the Modoc:
>
> "Strongly desiring access to Oregon via the Modoc
> as a condition of the failed SPSF merger, Rio
> Grande immediately reactivated the Modoc upon
> merging with SP."
> ... "After 21 months of inactivity, the Narrow
> Gauge was reactivated on Oct. 13, 1988, the day SP
> joined the Anschutz empire."
>
> 3) Through-trains on the reopened Modoc were the
> EUASM and the ASEUM.
>
> 4) Starting in the late 80's, Holly Sugar and
> Spreckels Sugar started growing sugar beets in the
> Klamath Basin. The SP ran beet gons on the Modoc
> on the Copic Local and Staley Turn for the new
> traffic.

Great read! Thanks for sharing.