Nostalgia & History > Chasing the SP OALAF - 1984

In May of 1984 I was able to chase the OALAF down Soledad Canyon.  At least I think it was the OALAF.  I didn't have a scanner at that time.  Not too many trains traversed Soledad; usually ones with LA (Taylor yd in this case) destinations.  It could have been a Portland originaton too, but my best guess was Oakland origination.  I'd welcome any feedback.

1.  I picked it up at Paris.  Heading eastbound downgrade. This train had both piggyback and manifest.
2.  The power was aSD45T-2 (9291 leading) with an SD40T-2, SD45 and another SD40T-2 trailing.
3.  A little further down the Canyon (I am guessing between Ravena and Russ)  



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/06/25 12:42 by AZSP.

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4.  Same location, power going away
5.  Near Russ at highway overpass
6.  Same location

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7.  Exiting Tunnel 18 or 19.  Can't recall which one.  Any help appreciated since this was over 40 years ago and it's been quite some time since I was there.
8.  At the end of the canyon near Humphries

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PTLAT



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/06/25 10:57 by WAF.

WAF Wrote:
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> PTLAT

Even with all the manifest loads?  

SP was known for filling out the tonnage rating for hot train, the rating or HPT was not the same for all trains. Intermodals would have lots of horsepower but at the beginning not as much traffic, so there was an opportunity to save a few bucks and also expedite delivery of a few cars. They would also use the faster trains to move power around the System, but also keep inside the HPT rating. SP was more of a Regional Railroad compared with what we have these days.

But that doesn't define if it's an Oakland train or a Portland trains. The Coast Line embargo dates would tell that story, or the Brentwood line to Tracy.

+ I was able to drive that route a total of one times so it's intersting to see the area.
t4p.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/06/25 13:21 by TCnR.

TCnR Wrote:
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> SP was known for filling out the tonnage rating
> for hot train, the rating or HPT was not the same
> for all trains. Intermodals would have lots of
> horsepower but at the beginning not as much
> traffic, so there was an opportunity to save a few
> bucks and also expedite delivery of a few cars.
> They would also use the faster trains to move
> power around the System, but also keep inside the
> HPT rating. SP was more of a Regional Railroad
> compared with what we have these days.
>
> But that doesn't define if it's an Oakland train
> or a Portland trains. The Coast Line embargo dates
> would tell that story, or the Brentwood line to
> Tracy

Coast line closure to through freights wasn't until 1987 (re-opened later after Anchutz purchase).  Since the Oakland to LA trains primarily used the coast at that time, then this was likely a Portland originated train.

AZSP Wrote:
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> WAF Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > PTLAT
>
> Even with all the manifest loads?  

Yes. That was common.

During the late '70's the BRLAT (symbol was later changed to PTLAT) was listed in SP employee timetables as train #340.

Usually there was a 1st 340 and 2nd 340 most days during the busy years. One train would be the BRLAT, the other would usually be the RVLAY or whatever manifest they decided to run that way that probably had alot cars for Taylor Yard, primarily paper loads for the LA Times and others.

Keith_Kevet

Posted from Android



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/06/25 13:46 by Keith_Kevet.

Keith_Kevet Wrote:
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> AZSP Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > WAF Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > PTLAT
> >
> > Even with all the manifest loads?  
>
> Yes. That was common.
>
> During the late '70's the BRLAT (symbol was later
> changed to PTLAT) was listed in SP employee
> timetables as train #340.
>
> Usually there was a 1st 340 and 2nd 340 most days
> during the busy years. One train would be the
> BRLAT, the other would usually be the RVLAY or
> whatever manifest they decided to run that way
> that probably had alot cars for Taylor Yard,
> primarily paper loads for the LA Times and
> others.
>
> Keith_Kevet

Many times it was annulled out of Bakersfield where the schedule began. Just ran extra to LA
>
> Posted from Android

Nice Series! Having used to run a pest control route in Palmdale including customers along Soledad canyon for a while,back in 1990's, I don't recall ever seeing a single train there, so I appreciate any posts of this interesting area including trains in them!
Hope it's OK I took liberty to simply correct your photo positions, no color or any other alterations, a little detail might or might not have been lost in the process?
I couldn't edit pic #4 for some reason.

Jim Baker
Riverside, CA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/07/25 08:18 by RailRat.

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#3 is near Ravenna, you were on top of one of the road cuts in this Street View from Soledad Canyon Road-  https://maps.app.goo.gl/y16AEr1kTzcq2SjL7  You can see the bridge railing in the distance in the Street View, the same bridge in #4.

mapboy