Western Railroad Discussion > Alturas, Lakeview update

Sorry no pictures

This past weekend was the N-C-O Historical (ncory.org) society’s work session in Alturas. I drove up to Lakeview on Friday afternoon before doubling back to Alturas for the NCO event. As expected, I found the Sat morning train already put together with GP15 #614 and nine loads of perlite. The train was tied down by the “moribund” bio-mass refinery at Kadrmas Road. I noticed several workers within the refinery using cutting torches. Further inspection revealed piping and conduit has been removed/cut and there appeared to be several piles of “scrap” metal I have not seen in previous visits. I cannot tell if they are scrapping the 85% completed refinery or just making modifications for re- purposing……..Does anyone know what are the plans for the refinery?

A check of Lakeview found about 15 to 18 empty covered hoppers between the Goose Lake engine shed, Fremont mill and Cornerstone minerals. There were seven chip cars at the chip loadout at the mill but it did not look like any active loading was on going. I also spied three center beams deep in the mill with one being loaded.

The Eco Materials Technologies (EMT) plant appears about completed. I did not see any construction offices or trailers still on site. I could not tell if they have completed the WYE connection to the Goose Lake along the west side of the mill. As mentioned in previous postings there are three loadout tracks within this plant so GL could be in for a substantial increase in traffic.
  
I drove to Alturas where I spent the next two nights at the Hotel Niles.

On Saturday, while helping at the NCO car barn I heard the Goose Lake arriving in Alturas at about 1030 which meant it departed Lakeview about 0515. I expected the GL to drop their train in the Yard, tie up and drive up back to Lakeview in the car they leave in Alturas.At about 1400 hrs The UP local went by the Car barn with 2180/3814 (SD60-SD70) and 9 cars (7 hoppers/2 center beams) for the Goose Lake. 

We finished up our “chores” about 1430 and I drove over to the yard to see what UP was up to. The UP dropped their train on the north leg of the Wye for Goose Lake. I observed them hook up to the nine cars GL brought them. Instead of tying up the UP backed further into the yard where they coupled on to 30 empty center beams that had been stored there. I saw the conductor place the FRED on the last car. The UP crew then tied up and got into PTI cab for layover.I checked the yard an confirmed the UP would be returning to Klamath Falls on Sunday with 39 cars!
The yard still has the stored power, 40 additional center beams and 25 cement cars .

On Sunday morning I heard GL clearing the crossings leaving Alturas at about 0645. The UP departed for Klamath Falls 0830.

Again, I apologize for no pictures

For the number “fiends” out there--There are 18 six axles stored in Alturas. They are:9622 4575 5117 6802 38199704 9588 9766 9602 95909739 9761 9745 9652 96859648 9767 9604
Tom

Thanks for the update. Between the Canadian Lumber Tariff's and the start of construction season, I'm sure the demand at US lumber mills is ramping up.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

Thanks for the update

Thanks for the update, had to look up the Niles hotel. Reminds me of The Plains Hotel in Cheyenne. Alturas had been very unique but isolated, drove through last year and it had changed quite a bit.

Extra points for the volunteer work.

t4p.

+ The Plains



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/14/25 12:50 by TCnR.

Thanks for the update Tom!

For anyone with an interest in the Nevada-California-Oregon or west coast narrow gauges in general, the N-C-O group in Alturas is doing some amazing work.  the "car barn" contains the bodies of 3 freight cars and 4 passenger cars that are all from the N-C-O.  And more cars are coming.

The society owns a cottage built in 1917 for railroad management and has done extensive restoration work on it.  Restoration work on one of the boxcars is also in process as well as parts procurement for other restorations.

If you're interested or want to join, check out the website: https://www.ncory.org

Z

Thanks for the detailed update. Bill Webb

Of those stored units , it sounds like there are a bunch of -8s and -9s (DC GE locomotives) .  I believe that UP is following that plan that NS started a few years ago
and rewiring their -9s to Alternating Current Drive during a complete rebuild of the class.  Those -9 units are a perfect platform to rebuild to AC44CWCTEs  retaining the
7FDL v16 older diesel engines. Basically they'd become like the  5700s  when they arrived in the early 2000s.

Phil Schmierer
Dunsmuir, CA