Steam & Excursion > A Classic Scene As Train #15 Arrives In Medford -1914!

Back 100 years ago, in 1914 when this photo was made, the only North-South rail route on the West Coast was the Southern Pacific's Siskiyou Line. The Natron Cut-off was still years away. This meant that the railroad depots in the towns along the Siskiyou line were busy places.

Such was the case one afternoon in Medford, Oregon when Train #15 arrived behind SP #2347. Meeting the train were various folk including a horse drawn stage for the Hotel Moore. The luggage and trunks of the passengers is stacked on the depot wagon ready for loading on the train before it departs on it's way South through Ashland and then over Siskiyou Summit.

Yes, these were busy times indeed.

Martin



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/14 04:49 by LoggerHogger.

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This photo is a time capsule of about 100 years ago. It was a slower time and yet in some ways more fashionable time. There is only one automobile, and it is hidden by horses. The stage is truly "open air"! The men all seem to be wearing hats, and many have suit coats on . SP 2347 and her train were the personal lifeline to Medford's residents, and the SP's pride in her, her train, and the station shows.
Beautiful image. Thanks for posting this.
Bob

Wonderful photo, and that depot still stands today as Porter's restaurant. Back in 1914 ten daily First Class passengers trains stopped at Medford on their way to Ashland or Roseburg. Train No. 15 was the "California Express". It departed Portland at 1:30 AM and arrived at Medford at 4:00 PM.

I thought of you Tony when I posted this photo this morning. Glad you liked it.

Martin

TonyJ Wrote:
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It departed Portland at 1:30 AM and arrived at Medford at 4:00 PM.


That is amazing . . departing a major terminus like Portland at .1:30 . . still find that hard to believe!

Craig
mcmrailvideos.com

The book,"The Southern Pacific in Oregon," Austin & Dill, 1987,PFM, Edmonds, WA, lists the Portland SP station at MP 771, the Medford station, MP 441.8, the distance between being then 329.2 miles. The average speed of train #15 was about 23 MPH. No doubt a pleasant leisurely trip through the lovely heart of Western Oregon. 70 years later I was flying air taxi-charter flights in Cessna T210's from KPDX to KMFR, about 190NM, in about 1.3 hrs. No hat; no suit.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/14 19:46 by n9949y.

Wish we still had passenger service over the Siskiyou's!

coach Wrote:
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> Wish we still had passenger service over the
> Siskiyou's!


I wish we still have the entire Siskiyou Line in service.