Steam & Excursion > An Event Like This Called For Both Steam & Diesel On This Train!

In September, 1963 the Pickering Lumber Corporation had made the decision to end railroad operations out of their Soap Creek Pass Camp in the woods high above their mill in Standard, California.  On the 15th of that month, Pickering decided to treat their employees and their family's to a train trip from Standard all the was to Soap Creek Pass Camp and back.  The power for this train was to be both steam and diesel.  Fortunately for us, noted California railfan, Stan Snook was on hand to capture the action.

On the point for this special train was Pickering's big 90-ton Shay #33.  Cut in as mid-train helpers were PLC diesels #101 and #102.  Stan Snook caught the special train making it's way back to Standard in this fine color photo.  The train is just coming off of the top of Beardsley Dam.  In a few minutes it will begin to tackle the grade on Pickering's famed "Peeled Onion" section of track.

Pickering's logging railroad has only 2 more years of operation left ahead of her.  All too soon it will be shut down for good and scenes like this will just be a memory.

Martin



Edited 7 time(s). Last edit at 04/17/21 14:20 by LoggerHogger.

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Several years earlier I was on the other side of that diesel, far down below the tracks with my dad. We spent the day trout fishing in the little river created from water released from the dam. Heard great steam chime whistles, never saw a train and caught no fish.