Nostalgia & History > "Dirty Harry" Bridge Revisited

It's October, 1977, and things are starting to get late for the NWP. Trips to Handi Cup were, if I remember correctly, down to once a week. In between trips the bridge at Greenbrae, the "Dirty Harry Bridge" on TO, was left open unless the train had to make a trip to Handi Cup (Sausalito was long gone by now). On those days MOW crews had to go out, close the bridge, and then after the train went to Handi Cup and back they would re-open it.

These two photos show the train shoving down to Handi Cup (first photo). Since track was VERY limited at Handi Cup, the crew had to shove down there. On the trip down: 2 empties for loading. On the trip back: 1 load.

If you look closely behind the train you can see 2 MOW employees (there is a third if you blow this up enough) who are going to re-open the bridge now the the train has passed. Since the steel part of the bridge still had the second deck from the double track days they would simply wait out there on a nice day for the train to go down and back, only about a mile or so away.

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Update: Photo(s) deleted because there are thieves on Trainorders who download and then use other peoples' photos in books, or simply print and sell the prints, for their own enrichment!!! I don't mind downloading them for your personal enjoyment but I draw the line at selling them or publishing them and claiming they are yours. Sorry I have to do this but the actions of a few screw it up for all.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 02/11/20 12:46 by Railbaron.

DB...here you got to hang around an watch the San Rafael job while was up trying to keep the log flats on the OC&E on the rails. Oh wait...they are both gone... Some greats shots there old timer....:o)

The first picture shows a boxcar at Handi-Kup.

Second picture: For you modelers out there, here's another boxcar on the San Rafael branch.

Those are some great NWP pictures you've been posting, Railbaron. Thank you.

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Now that's funny, "Bowknot", as I am almost positive I have a picture of that same boxcar at the same location but from the opposite side. When I get to it I'll have to compare it and post the opposite side for the modelers out there. It is amazing how railfan's paths often cross.

BTW, this photo is taken on the "team track" in San Rafael and the old San Anselmo Main used to run along side the buildings in the background.

Later: Yes indeed, I do have that same boxcar. Taken April 1978. SP/NWP boxcar in San Rafael

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Update: Photo(s) deleted because there are thieves on Trainorders who download and then use other peoples' photos in books, or simply print and sell the prints, for their own enrichment!!! I don't mind downloading them for your personal enjoyment but I draw the line at selling them or publishing them and claiming they are yours. Sorry I have to do this but the actions of a few screw it up for all.



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 02/11/20 12:46 by Railbaron.

Thanks again for posting the nice images. - Tony J.

More great stuff. Love the box car photos. The DD box with the yellow door on the train. That was dedicated service for? Help my memory out so I don't have to open Tony Thompson's heavy book...
Dave

Paper and lumber service

Very cool pictures. I just looked through my slides and found shots of SW1500 #2539 pulling one boxcar south to Handi-Kup, then returning light engine. I was chasing the train on my 10-speed bike, so I caught him at the south portal of the tunnel, then hung around the bridge for the return trip. He must have made a drop at Handi-Kup since he was pulling the car south. The caboose was left behind in San Rafael. Date was October, 1980.

SW1200

I hope they find the stupid people who pirated the pictures of San Rafael and put thier butts in jail!!
 

geez and then you die  , i have had a guy make thousands off of my material