Railroaders' Nostalgia > Mad Dog Chronicle # 161A NWP Operations 1980

These pages from the back of my NWP Track Book will answer some of the questions raised by MDC # 161. I have also posted a sample track chart page and the suplimental notes, in this case four pages of notes in a space of five miles. This is the Bell Springs page. The hand written notes on the chart page are mine. You will note that there was a derailment of the 01 RVERY 05 on 3/7/80 at mp 180.8. Derailed 2 units and 26 cars. (No cause shown)

2/1/2006
mdo

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EROAY schedule and blocking

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ERRVY schedule and blocking

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Okay, being 26 years ago, my memory serves me the tri-weekly service started later in 1980, or early, 81 from Eureka, but you know how old memories are..

Track Chart Page 727. The five mile segment of the NWP from mp 180 to mp 185

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The notes P727 A-1

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Notes page 727 A-2

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Notes page 727 A-3

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notes page 727 A-4

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mdo Wrote:
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> ERRVY schedule and blocking

What is the "A&S" block?

Alton & Southern?

MP 181.83 "Prior to 1930 hydraulic monitors were used to try and move the material as it came down. Not too successful. Slide is sometimes reffered to as "Hydraulic slide."

Did I read this correctly as in blasting the mud and debris with water hoses/water cannons as in the outlawed maining process of the late 1800's. This is pretty rough stuff, heard about it in the Sunset Limited book.

In contrast, the 1956-1957 repair to MP 183.80-184.00 is modern techniques, curious how it's doing now. The speeder club traveled through there a coupleof years ago.

TCnR Wrote:
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> MP 181.83 "Prior to 1930 hydraulic monitors were
> used to try and move the material as it came down.
> Not too successful. Slide is sometimes reffered to
> as "Hydraulic slide."
>
> Did I read this correctly as in blasting the mud
> and debris with water hoses/water cannons as in
> the outlawed maining process of the late 1800's.
> This is pretty rough stuff, heard about it in the
> Sunset Limited book.


That is what it says on the notes. 1930 was a little before my time.
It is interesting to read all of what was done even in the 1950s and 1960s as far as removing rocks from the river or moving earth around up hill from the right of way.

You will see my hand written note about cars in thr river at mp 181. By 1980 this was a no no of major proportion.

mdo

Didn't mean to imply a legal question. Curious what they looked like, how effective, etc. That whole area would have been something to see.
Thanks for the insight.


> -----
> > MP 181.83 "Prior to 1930 hydraulic monitors...

And people wonder why the railroad likely will not be rebuilt north of Willits. - Tony J.

Who wrote all the typed notes? Various Division Engineers? Very interesting Reading. Some of these notes were in Fred Stindt's NWP Part 2 book.

I worked with a couple of parties in Colorado, who were interested in operating the Eureka Southern after it will bankrupt in 86 or 87. One party took one hyrail trip and walked away from it. He showed me the track book that MDO is posting, but I don't remember the notes. I saw what I guess was a photo copy of the track diagrams. He made bags of soil samples and had a geologist make an analysis. The report back was this soil would never stop moving. He talked to a few of the on line shippers and they said they would never seriously use the railroad unless US 101 was blocked or truck rates became so prohibitive or a lack of trucks available. The other party used my book as a guide and made a field trip via the highway. Same story from the shippers. That party too walked away, never to set up a meeting.

Correct Tony, only a dreamer would think it's salvagable. If it was such a hot property, cars of lumber would be rumbling down its tracks now.

BTW, during the winter season of 81-82, it was a guess which way the railroad was running, i.e. north or south, each day. You didn't know until you got to Willits and if there wasn't a train in the yard, then loads were coming south. Of course, that didn't get you home free either. There could be a slide in the Canyon that hasn't been cleaned up. You had to listen to the scanner closely. Part of challenge of the chase.

Waybiller Wrote:
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> mdo Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > ERRVY schedule and blocking
>
> What is the "A&S" block?
>
> Alton & Southern?
>
>

Yes

Mike,
Would your track books show anything around San Rafael or points south of there in the 60s?


Nudge

spnudge Wrote:
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> Mike,
> Would your track books show anything around San
> Rafael or points south of there in the 60s?
>
>
> Nudge


I have two pages covering the San Rafael Branch from the junction at Ignacio at mp 25.8 to Detour at mp 14.3 This is a 1981 track book but the notes do cover the fire at tunnel 4 in 1961

mdo

mdo Wrote:
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> spnudge Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Mike,
> > Would your track books show anything around
> San
> > Rafael or points south of there in the 60s?
> >
> >
> > Nudge
>
>
> I have two pages covering the San Rafael Branch
> from the junction at Ignacio at mp 25.8 to Detour
> at mp 14.3 This is a 1981 track book but the
> notes do cover the fire at tunnel 4 in 1961
>
> mdo

Any chance of putting it up?

Nudge

Scanned and posted, sir.