On this date in 1963, Pickering Lumber Corp. ran their last train from Standard out to Soap Creek Pass at Mile 51.

The short train consisted of EMD 102, about 13 empties and caboose 02. Bill Scott was engineer and Garnet Dambacher was the conductor. There was some uneasiness and anticipation in the air after lunch as the return train was ready to leave camp. The woods boss was asked if they'd be back and he couldn't say for certain. They never did. The 102 had oil car 603 and cab 02 on her return trip.

So ended the last real rail logging show in California. Even with 4 EMDs on the roster, Pickering was still using Shays 11 & 33 right up until the end. I have a DVD from movies that was taken by a friend of this. The logging seasons of 1964 & 1965 had a rail operation that was shortened up to a point at the top end of Lyons Dam and it was done with M/U operation of the diesels, but there would be no more camp out in the woods.

Appreciate old friend Karl Koenig for reminding me of this event and furnishing details for the past few years when the date rolls around.