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Re: White stuff Coming out of the Malabar Switcher
Author: Freericks
Date: 02-19-2011 - 19:06
DCA Wrote:
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> Thank you, sir, for the update on Malabar,
> Redondo, etc.
>
> It seems pretty incredible to me now that when I
> worked on the Harbor District, with its many, many
> grade crossings and fairly crazy local drivers,
> that due to crowding in the cab of the Alco
> switchers (we still had firemen in that era) some
> of us, myself included, would in good weather
> often ride the front/rear platform (not the
> steps).
>
> The night Wingfoot job (#323) usually ran at
> something approaching warp speed in order to get a
> typically three-hour early quit. So riding out
> front at the speeds we went entailed watching
> carefully for the errant driver and being ready to
> head back along the side deck or jump up to the
> cab, as required. It seemed as if the bell and
> two-chime airhorn never stopped sounding during
> the five hours it took to get the work done
> (covering from Redondo Jct. to Hyde Park).
>
> The 323 usually had a high-hood Alco kept at the
> Wingfoot freighthouse but no graffiti in those
> days.
DCA - I assume you're talking about the 1950 or so Wingfoot freighthouse? That building is still standing,although it's been so modified, it's hard to tell it was ever a railroad building.
The problem with all the grade crossings, is apparently why that line was never considered for Metrolink service. I still wish they had changed their mind on that. It would have been a good service, from LA to Torrance (and on to San Pedro, hypothetically). I'll bet it would have seen a lot of patronage.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thank you, sir, for the update on Malabar,
> Redondo, etc.
>
> It seems pretty incredible to me now that when I
> worked on the Harbor District, with its many, many
> grade crossings and fairly crazy local drivers,
> that due to crowding in the cab of the Alco
> switchers (we still had firemen in that era) some
> of us, myself included, would in good weather
> often ride the front/rear platform (not the
> steps).
>
> The night Wingfoot job (#323) usually ran at
> something approaching warp speed in order to get a
> typically three-hour early quit. So riding out
> front at the speeds we went entailed watching
> carefully for the errant driver and being ready to
> head back along the side deck or jump up to the
> cab, as required. It seemed as if the bell and
> two-chime airhorn never stopped sounding during
> the five hours it took to get the work done
> (covering from Redondo Jct. to Hyde Park).
>
> The 323 usually had a high-hood Alco kept at the
> Wingfoot freighthouse but no graffiti in those
> days.
DCA - I assume you're talking about the 1950 or so Wingfoot freighthouse? That building is still standing,although it's been so modified, it's hard to tell it was ever a railroad building.
The problem with all the grade crossings, is apparently why that line was never considered for Metrolink service. I still wish they had changed their mind on that. It would have been a good service, from LA to Torrance (and on to San Pedro, hypothetically). I'll bet it would have seen a lot of patronage.
