Rob R
Western Thunderer
Well, a day out on the bit that the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association have at Campo, CA.
Today started a little damp, I have had drier days at Blaenau Ffestiniog (not many admittedly...) that and a 60 mile / 90 minute detour due to a navigation error added considerably to the planned 320 mile round trip.
Eventually I arrived at Campo, just a few miles from the Mexican border with just 5 minute to spare to catch the last train..
An early GP9 ex Cotton Belt, propelling a baggage car and an Ex New Jersey Electric motor car with the electrical equipment removed.
The Brakeman keeps a lookout through the open end door, equipped with a brake valve and an air whistle, also proving an excellent view for anyone foolhardy enough to brave the weather!
Heading southwest for two or three miles, climbing all the way we stopped at the end of runnable line , just a few yards short of the Mexican border.
Waiting at the end of line was a "Speeder" who followed us back down the line. The weather had abated a little and the Brakeman had departed for a warmer spot inside giving me a better view out.
At the top left you can see the (pre Trump) border wall.
As can be seen, it is a wild and rugged place at around 3000ft above sea level.
Returning to Campo we ran through the station for 1/2 mile or so to the eastern limit of working, just before a small trestle bridge (a good view of which can be had with Google street view). We were then propelled back to the museum stop were all three (!) passengers alighted to wander around the museum shed.
Inside the large, modern (and warm) museum is a small collection of locos, rolling stock and artefacts.
Southern Pacific 4-6-2 2353 Baldwin 1912, currently awaiting a new boiler.
And a much larger selection of goodies outside.
This 1937 Baldwin Mallet started life as a tank engine.
SD &A 104 is another Baldwin of 1904.
Union Pacific 1366 is a Fairbanks-Morse product of 1947
Trackwork in the station area is "ballasted " with windblown sand, as expected from the semi-desert location.
A small selection of the extensive collection of rolling stock on site, and some more "Jordanesque" trackwork.
If you are ever passing this corner of the middle of no-where I would recommend a visit.
Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
Today started a little damp, I have had drier days at Blaenau Ffestiniog (not many admittedly...) that and a 60 mile / 90 minute detour due to a navigation error added considerably to the planned 320 mile round trip.
Eventually I arrived at Campo, just a few miles from the Mexican border with just 5 minute to spare to catch the last train..
An early GP9 ex Cotton Belt, propelling a baggage car and an Ex New Jersey Electric motor car with the electrical equipment removed.
The Brakeman keeps a lookout through the open end door, equipped with a brake valve and an air whistle, also proving an excellent view for anyone foolhardy enough to brave the weather!
Heading southwest for two or three miles, climbing all the way we stopped at the end of runnable line , just a few yards short of the Mexican border.
Waiting at the end of line was a "Speeder" who followed us back down the line. The weather had abated a little and the Brakeman had departed for a warmer spot inside giving me a better view out.
At the top left you can see the (pre Trump) border wall.
As can be seen, it is a wild and rugged place at around 3000ft above sea level.
Returning to Campo we ran through the station for 1/2 mile or so to the eastern limit of working, just before a small trestle bridge (a good view of which can be had with Google street view). We were then propelled back to the museum stop were all three (!) passengers alighted to wander around the museum shed.
Inside the large, modern (and warm) museum is a small collection of locos, rolling stock and artefacts.
Southern Pacific 4-6-2 2353 Baldwin 1912, currently awaiting a new boiler.
And a much larger selection of goodies outside.
This 1937 Baldwin Mallet started life as a tank engine.
SD &A 104 is another Baldwin of 1904.
Union Pacific 1366 is a Fairbanks-Morse product of 1947
Trackwork in the station area is "ballasted " with windblown sand, as expected from the semi-desert location.
A small selection of the extensive collection of rolling stock on site, and some more "Jordanesque" trackwork.
If you are ever passing this corner of the middle of no-where I would recommend a visit.
Pacific Southwest Railway Museum