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"The Trip of a Lifetime"
Author: Ken Shattock (KRK)
Date: 03-15-2012 - 14:37
Hi Everyone... I thought that after reading that poster's comments about Mitt Romney vs Amtrak, that I might mention something ironic although very distantly related...
First off, on May 28-30, 1955, one of the greatest STEAM-powered railfan trips took place on the lines of the Southern Pacific. The trip was sponsored by Cal-Nevada RR Hist Society and the Pacific Coast Chapter, R&LHS. It was advertised as the "Backwoods Special" and billed as "The Trip of a Lifetime" ...
Three states, 1200 miles, eleven(11) locomotives (10-steam, 1-diesel switcher)...
Using 4-8-4's , 4-8-8-2's, a 2-8-8-4, a 1200 hp SW-2, and a couple of others. The 4-8-8-2's were AC-10 and AC-11 types. The 2-8-8-4 was an AC-9 type. The 4-8-4's were a GS-1 with a GS-6 thrown in toward the end. There were sections of the trip where the Cab-Forwards were "double-headed" .. Ever see THAT before on a railfan excursion ??
The fare from Oakland to Klamath Falls and return, via Reno, Wendel, Alturas, and Lakeview, was only $ 30.00 each, roundtrip. The fare increased to around $ 42.00 if you wanted to travel by Pullman.
The train consisted of 1-Dormitory Car, 1-Baggage Car, 5-Chair Cars, 1-Hamburger-Grill Car,
1-Diner, 1-Club Lounge, 6-Pullman Cars, 1-Observation Club Lounge w/Open Platform.
ALL "heavyweight" types...
This makeup was as follows:
GWIN Dormitory
SP 6472 Baggage
SP 2326 Chair
SP 2011 Chair
SP 2017 Chair
SP 2024 Chair
SP 2535 Chair
SP 10501 Hamburger-Grille
SP 10205 Diner
SP 2925 Club Lounge
Garden Lane Pullman
Poplar Center Pullman
Schubert Pullman
Poplar Hollow Pullman
Romney Pullman (no kidding)
Yale University Pullman
SP 2902 Observation-Club Lounge with Open Platform
(one of only three remaining in service)
Locomotives used were:
STEAM locomotives
SP 4428 GS-1
SP 4205--4224 double-headed AC's **
SP 3804 AC-9
SP 4229--4247 double-headed AC's **
SP 4211
SP 4285
SP 4468 GS-6
SP 2592 2-8-0
DIESEL SP 1451 1200 hp SW-2
This would have been an outstanding trip for "Hal Lewis" to oversee. (grin)
I wonder whatever happened to that ROMNEY Pullman car ??
Cheers.
KRK
First off, on May 28-30, 1955, one of the greatest STEAM-powered railfan trips took place on the lines of the Southern Pacific. The trip was sponsored by Cal-Nevada RR Hist Society and the Pacific Coast Chapter, R&LHS. It was advertised as the "Backwoods Special" and billed as "The Trip of a Lifetime" ...
Three states, 1200 miles, eleven(11) locomotives (10-steam, 1-diesel switcher)...
Using 4-8-4's , 4-8-8-2's, a 2-8-8-4, a 1200 hp SW-2, and a couple of others. The 4-8-8-2's were AC-10 and AC-11 types. The 2-8-8-4 was an AC-9 type. The 4-8-4's were a GS-1 with a GS-6 thrown in toward the end. There were sections of the trip where the Cab-Forwards were "double-headed" .. Ever see THAT before on a railfan excursion ??
The fare from Oakland to Klamath Falls and return, via Reno, Wendel, Alturas, and Lakeview, was only $ 30.00 each, roundtrip. The fare increased to around $ 42.00 if you wanted to travel by Pullman.
The train consisted of 1-Dormitory Car, 1-Baggage Car, 5-Chair Cars, 1-Hamburger-Grill Car,
1-Diner, 1-Club Lounge, 6-Pullman Cars, 1-Observation Club Lounge w/Open Platform.
ALL "heavyweight" types...
This makeup was as follows:
GWIN Dormitory
SP 6472 Baggage
SP 2326 Chair
SP 2011 Chair
SP 2017 Chair
SP 2024 Chair
SP 2535 Chair
SP 10501 Hamburger-Grille
SP 10205 Diner
SP 2925 Club Lounge
Garden Lane Pullman
Poplar Center Pullman
Schubert Pullman
Poplar Hollow Pullman
Romney Pullman (no kidding)
Yale University Pullman
SP 2902 Observation-Club Lounge with Open Platform
(one of only three remaining in service)
Locomotives used were:
STEAM locomotives
SP 4428 GS-1
SP 4205--4224 double-headed AC's **
SP 3804 AC-9
SP 4229--4247 double-headed AC's **
SP 4211
SP 4285
SP 4468 GS-6
SP 2592 2-8-0
DIESEL SP 1451 1200 hp SW-2
This would have been an outstanding trip for "Hal Lewis" to oversee. (grin)
I wonder whatever happened to that ROMNEY Pullman car ??
Cheers.
KRK
| Subject | Written By | Date/Time (PST) |
|---|---|---|
 "The Trip of a Lifetime" |
Ken Shattock (KRK) | 03-15-2012 - 14:37 |
|
Re: "The Trip of a Lifetime"
|
Dick Dorn | 03-15-2012 - 15:01 |
|
Re: "The Trip of a Lifetime"
|
Ken Shattock (KRK) | 03-15-2012 - 17:55 |
|
Re: "The Trip of a Lifetime"
|
Grant Leslie | 03-15-2012 - 17:51 |
|
Re: "The Trip of a Lifetime"
|
Ken Shattock (KRK) | 03-15-2012 - 18:02 |
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Re: "The Trip of a Lifetime"
|
Grant Leslie | 03-15-2012 - 19:17 |
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Re: The other Romney RR connection
|
SP Cascade | 03-15-2012 - 20:03 |