Re: SP steam question
Author: Tom Moungovan
Date: 12-14-2011 - 10:34
LPNDuke Wrote:
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> On March 21,1957 I was inducted into the army and
> sent to Ft Ord. Shortly after that I am sure I saw
> steam on the passenger train heading toward
> Monterey. The date I was inducted is for sure
> correct. Did steam venture down to Monterey after
> that? Five weeks later I had a weekend pass. There
> were cab forwards sitting dead at Watsonville. I
> grew up across a field from Springfield Jct. About
> the end of February 1957, I heard a steam
> locomotive headed RR W from Eugene. He was
> attempting to wear out his whistle. I went in the
> house and told my dad, you better come outside,
> the last steam locomotive is leaving town. Anyone
> have an exact date for last steam out of Eugene?
> Thanks Jim Spicer
Jim, you bring up some most interesting events. My feeling is that while the "official"
last runs of steam up there had occurred earlier, possibly a non-revenue move of a light
engine happened when you said. These events did happen.
As to the steam on the Coast Division when you were at Fort Ord, I just don't know. Hard
to doubt somebody who was there and again, there was the odd steam movement from time to time.