.......... Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Nice, Keep them coming!

Well, if I decide to write a photo-illustrated book, I'm gonna put the kabbash on all this because I'm offering up some good stuff here that could be contained in the book.

> My neighbor had his catalytic converter stolen over the weekend I bet he would like to have an old van like that about now,

Yeah, and the old vehicles were nice because you could pretty much repair them with a basic tool box. "Shade tree mechanics" are pretty much a thing of the past.

Tom H Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wow! I never saw a hi-rail like that back in the day. Great shot!

Yeah, I don't know where they scrounged it up, but I'll bet it was retired not long after we made the inspection trip with it. The FRA probably came out with a directive that there had to be more exit doors. CN used to have the "moose" that had permanent rail wheels on it that they used for crew positioning and relief. The drawback was that it had to be cleared and authorized just like any other train. No dual-rail-highway capability. SLRG obtained one later. Make an offer at the liquidation auction.

[www.railpictures.net]

> Reminds me of a hi-rail trip I took from San Bernardino to Barstow with JL Schroder back in the 80’s. I believe we had a Suburban, more doors to jump out of.

I rode up front and was taking care of track and time. Everything was smooth until we got to Summit and the dispatcher wouldn’t answer the radio. I went to the phone and got him right away and asked for more track and time. He replied, you know if I screw this up I could make a helluva seniority move with all you old head dispatchers on board. I was speechless. Finally I said, why would you say something like that?

That's one way to move up the seniority roster. Years ago there was an ex-Michigan Central employee who went on a shooting spree of people above him on the roster! A plan not fully thought out! JL Schoeder has passed on but his son is a conductor working out of Needles. I spoke with him once on # 4 as BNSF frequently uses Amtrak as a huge Renzenberger van.

Peter D. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Enjoy all the bits that come with your photos too...!

I figure it's nice to have some background info behind the picture.



In August of 1979 I made a trip up to British Columbia and Alberta to chase and photograph trains. I was joined by my good friend Ron Davis, a Canadian who grew up in southern California but made frequent visits to Canada. Ron managed to befriend a Mr. W. S. Paffard, who happened to be the Assistant Superintendent in Revelstoke for the CPR. Mr. Paffard was gracious enough to type up some letters of introduction for Ron and myself (I still have mine packed away somewhere) and these magical pieces of paper, when presented to train and engine crews, allowed us to have cab or caboose rides basically anywhere in the territory he governed. We "exercised the option" for either cab or caboose rides on "The Canadian" from Field to Lake Louise, a local that served the Ossoyoos Subdivision from Penticton to Okanagan Falls (now abandoned); a local freight that served the Princeton Subdivision from Spences Bridge to Penticton (now abandoned) with the business car "Van Horne" attached to the rear; and a smattering of general merchandise and coal trains from Golden to Spences Bridge.

With the help of the late Lymon S. "Mo" Morrison, a railfan who also happened to be the agent at Penticton, we were tipped off about being in the right place at the right time (Spences Bridge) when the business car "Van Horne" moved from Vancouver to Pentiction on an irregular business trip intended to wine and dine shippers. The CPR officials flew to Penticton for the meeting and the car deadheaded to that city. "Mo", the late Dave Wilkie of Vancouver Island and Ron and myself got to ride the car, along with the chef, from Spences Bridge to Penticton. The chef made us a delicious pot roast dinner en route! In my many travels, this was something where I practically had to pinch myself to be assured I wasn't dreaming! The Princeton Subdivision is now 177.8 miles of recreational trail.

Here's a slide of our train, en route on the Priceton Sub, I believe somewhere east of Merritt.

Yep. This adventure in B.C. and Alberta in 1979 was one I will never forget.