Nostalgia & History > SP in Exeter, CA 1981

In 1981 I became friends with the crews of the SP "Terra Bella Turn", the 6 day a week job that served Exeter plus west to Goshen Jct. and south to Terra Bella

1. SP GP 9 E 3378 and the VE SW900 E 1197 in Exeter 07-81 The VE started using SW 900 E's 1196 & 1197 in 1980. There was a good amount of perishable freight then; not much today!
2. Conductor Bob King and trainman Terry Shank
3. A trainman hangs on.

Don Bowen
Saint Helena, CA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/16/12 13:45 by dlbowen.

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4. The crews gave me cab rides when they made a round trip to Ivanhoe to serve shippers there. Big shipper was Klink. In 2012 the spurs are removed! This is progress?
5. The Ivanhoe round trip returning to Exeter at Venice Hill
6. Shank and King getting on recently out shopped 3378. Note the SP headlight package

Don Bowen
Saint Helena, CA



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/16/12 13:48 by dlbowen.

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Don, the woodchip car behind the brakeman in picture 3. Where was it going, or coming from? I'm thinking that's not the kind of car I would expect i that part of the valley.

Larry Dodgion
Wilsonville, OR



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/16/12 21:35 by truxtrax.

There is a lumber mill in Terra Bella that shipped wood chips at the time this photo was taken. The SJVR took some loads out until they added a $900. (I think that was the number) per car. This brachline in this area (Linsay to Terra Bella and beyond) has been abandoned and the rail and ties removed. Amazing what surcharges do to shippers.

Don Bowen
Saint Helena, CA

Lesson from the NWP, use it or lose it