Hi Everybody-- I am attaching THREE You Tube links I'd like you to watch. Filmed on the former Sacramento Northern interurban mainline at Rio Vista Junction, Solano County, California. The Western Railway Museum is owned and operated by the Bay Area Electric Railroad Association which was founded in 1946. I have been a member of BAERA since 1965. (50 Years--Wow!)
The first Link is the operation of the "Scenic Limited" on the original SN mainline featuring SN Combo 1005, SN Hall Scott coach 1020 (now lettered OA&E), and Salt Lake & Utah coach 752. The 1020 used to be SN MW302 after demotorization in the 50's. During WW II, SN 1005 was Key System 499 on the "City of Berkeley" 'F'-Line commuter operation.
The LAST time that 1005 and 1020 operated together using electric power on this very same mainline trackage, would you believe, was 1913. (102 years ago--- YES !!!!)
Built them good in those days, huh ? Both SN 1005 and SN 1020 (OA&E) have been totally restored to "like new" condition. 1020 was also electrically equipped with controls like it once had and allows it to control attached 1005 if required ! Thousands of hours were spent on restoring SN 1005. The price tag for that one car was close to $ 500K ... Well worth it, however !
The Museum owns twenty-two original miles of SN mainline in Solano County. Approximately 6-7 miles South of the Museum are electrified at 600 volts DC. Most of everything is original. Culverts, bridges, etc. However, some have been re-done or replaced as required.
Around 1960, a large brush fire swept across the plains and destroyed most of the original line poles left standing when the SN abandoned electrification here about 1952+ or so. Using original SN drawings from the Archives, the correct poles and crossarm arrangements were duplicated and set along the right-of-way where the old poles once stood. Stubs in the ground gave the members a HINT on the correct locations. Today, as shown in the attached Link, the catenary looks identical to the 1913 rendition on the same line! Amazing, don't you think ??
Attachments:
SN 1005 Scenic Limited
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpZR1AWZjEU
Replacing Grade Crossing and Culvert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RTAsSMcXsY
Torsion Beam Tamper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z088YDu6nSc
There are more MOW You Tube links, if desired, for the WRM folks. And remember, these are all VOLUNTEERS and Railfans-- yet look at them jump in and perform this HEAVY work. I got tired watching it! (grin)
In closing, WRM--BAERA is one of the wealthiest rail organizations around. They rely on dues and donations, but have an extensive "Endowment" fund made possible by a long time member and former Board Chairman who had vast sums of money know one knew about. When he passed away, his assets were left to the rail club he loved so much ! God Bless him !!
Enjoy the Links and let me know what you think. And check out all the professional heavy equipment owned by the Museum. Good tools make light work! Cheers !!
KRK
