Nostalgia & History > Stored power Barstow 1975

During the recession in 1975, things got very slow on the Santa Fe. Visible in this photo taken in Barstow are most, if not all of the F45 fleet which were stored during part of that year due to the slow-down, also the remaining SD24's and low numbered(oldest) SD45's were stored until things picked up again.

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Boy, I remember that all too well.

Had things turned around in a more timely fashion, I would have entered the International Association of Machinists Apprenticeship Program, at the Santa Fe's San Bernardino Shops.
I was virtually assured of placement......

In February of that year, at those shops, in one fell swoop, they suspended the apprenticeship program, laid off all of the graveyard shift, and half of the swing shift.

It was very sad for all involved, and it forced me to accept the reality that I wasn't meant to work for the railroad.

Bob

ATSF100WEST......Out