Ghost of D.J. Russell Wrote:
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> When Espee detoured over WP in 1974 ( ? ) during a
> Sacramento River Cyn. flood issue, did they simply
> pay for the use of WP engineers as the qualified
> pilot ?

I'm not familiar with the detour you've cited, so I can't speak to its specifics. (The one who would likely know is MDO, but he seldom participates here anymore.)

That said, two things come into play: (1) the contract SP and Amtrak had in effect at the time covering 'Act of God' service interruptions, and (2) WP's agreement for reimbursement of costs for hosting foreign line trains, including reimbursement for the cost of providing pilot engineers, conductor pilots (if used) and/or Road Foreman of Engines or Trainmasters (if used). If no pilots were used, those costs would be against the cost of using regular freight railroad crews.

The same principles would apply while the train was detouring on BN.