| Home | Open Account | Help | 378 users online |
|
Member Login
Discussion
Media SharingHostingLibrarySite Info |
Western Railroad Discussion > CF7 2600 Takes the ReinsDate: 08/07/22 15:54 CF7 2600 Takes the Reins Author: NickWolters In January 1987, the Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific Railway based out of Felton, CA took delivery of former ATSF 2600. A product of a Santa Fe program that converted cab units into roadswitchers fit for use on locals and yard jobs, EMD CF7 2600 hitched a ride behind the power on Southern Pacific's Santa Cruz Local until the train reached Santa Cruz and was subsequently interchanged. Of note, No. 2600 was the second of a pair of CF7's to arrive on the property, the first being ATSF 2641 in October 1986. Management decided to keep both locomotives in their Santa Fe road numbers, which still stands today.
By the 1990s, SCBG entered a new realm by dipping into the freight business, serving a lumber yard in Felton. This unit of revenue turned the Big Trees & Pacific into a year-round shortline, rather than just a seasonal (summer) excursion service. SP's local from Watsonville would drop off centerbeams (occasionally boxcars) loaded with lumber at the wye in Santa Cruz where an SCBG crew would come from the north to grab the cars. For approximately 20 years, SCBG 2600 did the lion's share of the freight work, often the preferred unit (for one reason or another) to lift the heavy lumber loads up the grade between Santa Cruz and Felton. In recent years, CF7 2600 has shaken off the "backup unit" label, now the first string locomotive to handle the Beach Train assignment. SCBG trainmen say that 2600 still packs a tremendous punch, 35 years (and counting) since it showed up in Santa Cruz County. The following video clips showcase SCBG 2600 hard at work in excursion service. Not a bad gig for an aging Cleburne rebuild! You must be a registered subscriber to watch videos. Join Today! Date: 08/07/22 16:38 Re: CF7 2600 Takes the Reins Author: mojaveflyer Date: 08/08/22 07:16 Re: CF7 2600 Takes the Reins Author: MEKoch A genuine working wig-wag crossing signal in the second scene - a normal street.
Date: 08/08/22 07:42 Re: CF7 2600 Takes the Reins Author: PasadenaSub Great video of present-day operations in Santa Cruz!
Rich Date: 08/08/22 16:44 Re: CF7 2600 Takes the Reins Author: ns1000 I enjoyed the video.
Date: 08/10/22 10:36 Re: CF7 2600 Takes the Reins Author: PHall CF7's are pretty simple machines. The only computer on them is the engineer's cell phone!
Date: 08/11/22 08:42 Re: CF7 2600 Takes the Reins Author: Ritzville Very enjoyable video at Santa Cruz!
Larry |