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The End of Dunsmuir Railroad Days.
Author: Anonymous
Date: 03-14-2014 - 02:32
We've been asked to share this message as it was written in a private Facebook group by it's author.
There has been no editing of the original message, nor the change of any names. You are free to share this provided that remains true and the original author Deborah Harton is credited.
"Deborah Harton
The infamous letter:
Dear Mr. Cregger February 7,
I will call you shortly as well about Tuesday night’s meeting, but there will be no longer be a "Dunsmuir Railroad Days" event after almost 73 years of Railroad tradition due to Union Pacific Railroads decision no longer allow 3rd party museum Equipment over its rails such as the Western Pacific Railroad Museum (WPRM) stock from Portola and the exorbitant amounts of insurance that are now required for the event set forth by the Railroad. This event started back in 1941 with a 5 year break for WWII and started back up in 1947.
We have had an impeccable safety record (ZERO Incidents) since I started participating and organizing the event for trains in 2005 either on the road for the equipment or in the yards. 20 to 25 safety/security & docents volunteers for equipment as well as day and night Siskiyou County Sheriff patrols are on hand in the rail yards to protect the RR and visitors. We, the WPRM and the Shasta Cascade Rail Preservation Society (SCRPS) use this opportunity to continue to educate the public on Trains, train safety and issues of trespass.
There are 11 "Train Towns" for "long-standing community relationships" in California alone [up150.com] and Dunsmuir is one of them. Per quoted excerpts from this website as related to Dunsmuir: "That bond between our railroad and early settlements has strengthened and grown.” “The Union Pacific Foundation is the town’s main benefactor. Through its generous donations, Dunsmuir continues to be a proud part of railroad history.” Where is the community support here?
As far as Union Pacific Railroad’s token offer of equipment to a Dunsmuir's Railroad Days Event that you have related to me of a locomotive and snow plow, these things are already there as you can see by these photos. Might UPRR be willing to bring their business cars up and open them to the public for tours as well as a bright new shiny locomotive or an older more impressive locomotive such as the 844 or 3985? I think not. When the business cars were here from UP in 2005 and 2006, the public was allowed nowhere near them and we provided extra security for them. Also, Dunsmuir is a crew change site so all trains stop here for crew changes. The WPRM has been instrumental in providing a richer, much more hands on approach in allowing the public to touch, feel and learn, which they love, not the,” stay way behind the ropes experiences”, that have been offered. Have you ever looked into the face of a toddler, who is allowed to touch one of the objects of his ardent affection??!! I hope so, because the wonderment and joy is truly a gift to behold.
PIC HERE:
39 UPRR EMD SD 90-MAC Locomotives currently being stored in Dunsmuir for cracked frames.
PIC HERE:
The Jordan plow parked in Dunsmuir permanently for snow removal.
PIC HERE:
2006 Dunsmuir RR Days. UPRR Business Cars. Notice cones to stay away.
In closing, I would like to add that there have been two local derailments in the last 12 months. One at Cantara, which the prevailing sentiment in Dunsmuir was one of fear and anxiety as they recalled the spill in 1991, the one that nearly killed everything for a 40 mile stretch when 19000 gallons of metal sodium was released into the river and most recently the one further south at Pollard Flats and Gibson Road. Derailments make the
We have all supported the RR in good faith....can't we have a little back? People are becoming disillusioned. They want to write letters or send cookies or whatever will work to help. They love this event and are grateful for it every year.
Also, with the loss of the jobs the industry created, Dunsmuir's economy is tanking and is dependent on the income that these events bring in. Rolling stock brings people and money into our town.
We have the chance to make this a destination event. With rolling stock and enough notice, thousands could once celebrate in Dunsmuir as they have in the past...20k people attended in 1951.....
Thank you for allowing input from me and several others. I would be happy to set up a meeting and provide some photos/videos and other information to the railroad showing the steps taken for the event if that might help in the future, but the internet is full of these and videos already of past successful events. I hope that this event may be addressed and re-instated in the future by the Railroad."
There has been no editing of the original message, nor the change of any names. You are free to share this provided that remains true and the original author Deborah Harton is credited.
"Deborah Harton
The infamous letter:
Dear Mr. Cregger February 7,
I will call you shortly as well about Tuesday night’s meeting, but there will be no longer be a "Dunsmuir Railroad Days" event after almost 73 years of Railroad tradition due to Union Pacific Railroads decision no longer allow 3rd party museum Equipment over its rails such as the Western Pacific Railroad Museum (WPRM) stock from Portola and the exorbitant amounts of insurance that are now required for the event set forth by the Railroad. This event started back in 1941 with a 5 year break for WWII and started back up in 1947.
We have had an impeccable safety record (ZERO Incidents) since I started participating and organizing the event for trains in 2005 either on the road for the equipment or in the yards. 20 to 25 safety/security & docents volunteers for equipment as well as day and night Siskiyou County Sheriff patrols are on hand in the rail yards to protect the RR and visitors. We, the WPRM and the Shasta Cascade Rail Preservation Society (SCRPS) use this opportunity to continue to educate the public on Trains, train safety and issues of trespass.
There are 11 "Train Towns" for "long-standing community relationships" in California alone [up150.com] and Dunsmuir is one of them. Per quoted excerpts from this website as related to Dunsmuir: "That bond between our railroad and early settlements has strengthened and grown.” “The Union Pacific Foundation is the town’s main benefactor. Through its generous donations, Dunsmuir continues to be a proud part of railroad history.” Where is the community support here?
As far as Union Pacific Railroad’s token offer of equipment to a Dunsmuir's Railroad Days Event that you have related to me of a locomotive and snow plow, these things are already there as you can see by these photos. Might UPRR be willing to bring their business cars up and open them to the public for tours as well as a bright new shiny locomotive or an older more impressive locomotive such as the 844 or 3985? I think not. When the business cars were here from UP in 2005 and 2006, the public was allowed nowhere near them and we provided extra security for them. Also, Dunsmuir is a crew change site so all trains stop here for crew changes. The WPRM has been instrumental in providing a richer, much more hands on approach in allowing the public to touch, feel and learn, which they love, not the,” stay way behind the ropes experiences”, that have been offered. Have you ever looked into the face of a toddler, who is allowed to touch one of the objects of his ardent affection??!! I hope so, because the wonderment and joy is truly a gift to behold.
PIC HERE:
39 UPRR EMD SD 90-MAC Locomotives currently being stored in Dunsmuir for cracked frames.
PIC HERE:
The Jordan plow parked in Dunsmuir permanently for snow removal.
PIC HERE:
2006 Dunsmuir RR Days. UPRR Business Cars. Notice cones to stay away.
In closing, I would like to add that there have been two local derailments in the last 12 months. One at Cantara, which the prevailing sentiment in Dunsmuir was one of fear and anxiety as they recalled the spill in 1991, the one that nearly killed everything for a 40 mile stretch when 19000 gallons of metal sodium was released into the river and most recently the one further south at Pollard Flats and Gibson Road. Derailments make the
We have all supported the RR in good faith....can't we have a little back? People are becoming disillusioned. They want to write letters or send cookies or whatever will work to help. They love this event and are grateful for it every year.
Also, with the loss of the jobs the industry created, Dunsmuir's economy is tanking and is dependent on the income that these events bring in. Rolling stock brings people and money into our town.
We have the chance to make this a destination event. With rolling stock and enough notice, thousands could once celebrate in Dunsmuir as they have in the past...20k people attended in 1951.....
Thank you for allowing input from me and several others. I would be happy to set up a meeting and provide some photos/videos and other information to the railroad showing the steps taken for the event if that might help in the future, but the internet is full of these and videos already of past successful events. I hope that this event may be addressed and re-instated in the future by the Railroad."
The End of Dunsmuir Railroad Days.