Sad to see the operation shut down.

I spent 11 years as a contractor at the weapons station (late 1995 to early 2007), most of the time as an electronic engineer supporting USN and USMC electronic test equipment. One of my more interesting jobs during that period was to install new 'black box' event recorders on the two working 80 tonners. I got the chance dig into the guts of the two units and got a number of cab rides. I don't think that the crews were that happy to have the recorders installed, but they did treat me well.

One interesting side note on the base rail operations. The city of Seal Beach decided to import sand from the Barstow area to fill in their eroded beach. Since the base is adjacent to the cities beach, the sand was moved through the base. I know hauling sand from the desert to the beach sounds somewhat odd. Apparently, the desert sand is much coarser than sand dredged from off shore, doesn't wash away as fast, and is therefore cheaper in the long run. The sand was delivered to the end of the Navy trackage and then moved to and around the base by a Coast Rail Services GP-9(?). I was leaving the base late one foggy evening and realized that the Coast Rail GP-9 had a working Gyralight. Very cool in the fog.

One last note. According to the engine builders plates, the 80 tonners were made by 'Chrome Locomotive', who rebuilt the units and put their plates on the units while Bill was on base.