Western Railroad Discussion > And they're still trying to get those SD38s out of McCloud

As reported by Jeff Moore, who is there right now, and who has asked me to post these photos, at this point, the crew attempting to get the three McCloud Railway SD38s out of town and over the hill to Mt. Shasta appear to have been stymied by four years of vegetation and more years than that of deferred maintenance.  Yesterday, having backed down from the yard into town, the 37, the only operating unit, did not have the ability to pull itself and push the 36 and 38 back up the hill onto the main.  Ended up tying down the units at the passenger loading area.  This morning, they tried again, and using some non-rail equipment to help, both pulling and pushing.

Lee Hower - Sacramento

Part 1



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/21/16 10:57 by mcfflyer.

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Part 2
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/21/16 10:50 by mcfflyer.

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Part 3
And after all of that, they're right back where they started, on the main engine house track.  According to Jeff, they are now figuring out their next move.

Certainly a great day for photography - even with an iPhone!

Lee Hower
10:50am - 10/21/16



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/21/16 10:54 by mcfflyer.

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Jeff just texted: "Shop door going up.  Looks like the attempt to get all three out today is over."

Part 4

Going back into the house...

Seems the McCloud/McCloud River just doesn't want to die!

Lee Hower for Jeff Moore



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/21/16 12:43 by mcfflyer.

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Part 5

And Jeff then said, "And down goes the door."

The 37 was left outside. 

And this update from Jeff: "Attempt to take the 37 over the hill starts now."

Lee



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/21/16 12:44 by mcfflyer.

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Well i guess if you practice anthropomorphism, you'd wholeheartedly agree they just don't want to leave.  I grew up in New England, to me this railroad was as enchanting as anything the West had to offer...

mcfflyer Wrote:
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> Part 3
> And after all of that, they're right back where
> they started, on the main engine house track. 
> According to Jeff, they are now figuring out their
> next move.
>
> Certainly a great day for photography - even with
> an iPhone!
>
> Lee Hower
> 10:50am - 10/21/16

What is the fate of the yellow switch engine and the passenger cars shown in the Part 3 photos?

Part 6 -
And the decision was made to have 37 attempt to make it over the hill running as a single (operating) light engine move. 

Here are three photos (not the best shots this time) of the 37 passing the yard and making the run for the hill.

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Part 7

And it's halfway to Mt. Shasta!  37 pulling into Signal Butte where there switchback is located.  Note the following hi-rail truck.

And after reversing direction, "Here's a grab shot just above Wagon Camp Road crossing".

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Part 8

(Almost) Real time update from Jeff Moore!
 
2:00pm - Jeff went up to the Everett Memorial Highway crossing and heard the 37 blow for for another crossing, and then nothing.  Fearing they'd derailed, he drove up along the tracks to find the 37 inching over the site of the recent derailment. 

2:10pm - the 37 has reached Howard, the site of one of the old water tanks.

This could be his last report, as he needs to get going east on 89 to head back home to Elko.

 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/21/16 14:13 by mcfflyer.

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It does not look like there was much planning involved in this aborted move.  They level of brush and tree growth should have been considered.  One unit trying to pull 2 dead units over these grades is difficult without all this brush.

Martin

LoggerHogger Wrote:
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> It does not look like there was much planning
> involved in this aborted move.  They level of
> brush and tree growth should have been
> considered.  One unit trying to pull 2 dead units
> over these grades is difficult without all this
> brush.
>
> Martin

Sure looks that way, Martin.  I'm wondering if they even tried to hi-rail the line before trying to get over the hill.  Still, pretty amazing that they couldn't even get the three units up from the depot area up to the yard without help.  The rails must have been really slick.

I'd say we were really lucky that Jeff happens to be there to document this all!  What timing with his new book!

Lee

Part 9 -

THEY MADE IT!  The McCloud 37 is now in Mt. Shasta to be picked up by UP and work its way back to the Dakota Southern Railway, which when I was there in 1993 located in the megalopolis of Chamberlain, SD on on the old MILW line to Rapid City.  Jeff was told that the CMO (not sure whose) was going to come back in a couple of weeks to get the other two running.  Might be quite a job!

And with this, Jeff Moore is on California 89 high tailing himself back to Nevada!

Lee Hower - Sacramento

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They'd better hope the UP accepts it in interchange!

Dakota Southern being another Mike Williams property.

Out

A couple quick updates...yes, line was hi railed, a track crew did go over it at least a couple times this week and removed a number of downed trees across the tracks, plus they did some work on the spot where the 37 derailed a couple years back. Second, UP already inspected all 3 in McCloud, so acceptance at the interchange should not be an issue. It sounds as though present plans are to rebuild the other two in McCloud in the coming weeks/months and then ship them out as well, tentatively to same destination as the 37.

Going to take a lot of work at this point to remove a lot of the plant growth, 37 slipped several times while running light up the hill. Probably would not have made it pushing the other two.

Jeff Moore
Elko, NV

Posted from iPhone

If the 37 had no backup sand, seems they would have got some sand for both ends, opened up the sanders if plugged, then run it light to sand the rail and then get the other two units and try again. Done this before when I slipped down with a train and the sanders were plugged. Even on slick rail, get some good sand under her and should have walked out with the other two units. No different than getting on kutzu vines in Florida when they cover the rail. They get slick also!
Just curious. Knowing I may not be seeing the "Big Picture".

Steve Panzik
​Chiloquin, Or

What percentage of grade?

LEE:
Many thanks to you and Jeff for posting alll the photos and information.  Jeff really stayed with it.
Also, my congratulations and best wishes for a job more than well done to the guys who got #37 out.  The persisted and succeeded in overcoming some very tough obstacles.
ALLEN