Nostalgia & History > Weather contest entries........week 2

Here is a westbound freight headed up the hill toward Cascade Summit and K. Falls led by SD45T-2 rebuild #6776 with 7557 and 6786. It was pouring rain and I had to keep my camera under my coat to keep it from getting drenched like I was. Whipped it out at the last minute to grab a couple of shots, then back under the coat.... C.C.Chas.

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Amtrak Coast Starlight stopped at the Eugene station led by F40PH #290. About 20 degrees out and little hard icy snow flakes falling. You can see traces of them in the headlight beam..... C.C.Chas.

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Nothing wrong done by anyone here. The bus stopped as the driver is supposed to do. But just as he started moving again the crossing bell rang and gates came down as the Amtrak Coast Starlight started leaving the Eugene station. Bus driver slammed on the brakes and this is the result. Must have made the bus driver a little nervous to be that close to a moving train. It was also below freezing here and you can still see a bit of snow that hasn't melted yet because of the cold temperature....... C.C.Chas.

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The crew for this motor car had gone to get something to eat. They left it running to keep it warm. Taken on 12-24-83 at the Springfield, Oregon SP station. Which has since been moved and restored. Time was 3:50PM........ C.C.Chas.

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Here an SP track crew is checking the switches and track for problems. Even though the switch heaters keep the points clear of snow, they still have to check and make sure the switch motor is cleaned off and functional. This is at the East switch to Cascade Summit. (Old SP directions.)............ C.C.Chas.

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UP SD40-2 #3654 with UP GE #2527 lead the EUALY (Eugene to Albina UP yard in Portland). They are pulling out of the Eugene SP yard going thru Irving siding on January 9, 1982. The train has 106 cars and at 4:07PM it is still freezing and foggy........ C.C.Chas.

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Here is the LABRT (Los Angeles to Brooklyn Trailers) heading down the hill Toward Eugene and Portland. This train just came down through the snow you see on the mountains in the background. Only two units on this train, #9328 and #7544. Even though this is the end of May, you never know when you will get snow up here...... C.C.Chas.

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The SP's Geometry car SP GC-1 is waiting on the siding at Cruzatte as the East train led by the filthy SD45T-2 #9240 (sort of normal for SP)heads down toward Eugene. This freight also had #7384 - 7463 - 9184 - 8944 - 9329 - 8555 and 9389 behind the lead unit...... C.C.Chas.

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I love that F40 shot in Eugene, got the chills from looking at it, and the train even has the duo-baggage cars! Those were the days, and I miss it!

Thanks for sharing.

SP GP-9s #3750 and #3780 bring the night "Weyerhaeuser" into the Eugene SP yard coming form nearby Springfield. Only have about 20 cars, but at least the storm has passed and the fog will clear to become a nice sunny day. But the temperature will still stay around freezing all day....... C.C.Chas.

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Last photo. Eastbound SP freight arriving in Eugene yard led by #6836 - SP7533 and DRGW #5326. The rainbow knows that the SD45T-2s were the pride of the SP fleet.

Sorry for the photo overload, but I seem to recall vividly whenever I end up freezing my buns off for a train photo. And I remember all these too well. (Except the last one, only got a little damp on that one).....C.C.Chas.

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Great shots!! Bob

Thats a cool shot of the Bus at the Grade Crossing. Is that a 35' Flxible New Look? They was good buses.

great stuff Charles!

of course all of this stuff is great seeing it is classic SP stuff in the weather (and some Amtrak). But you have some real sweet weather shots in cold harsh conditions. All unique showing rain, snow, a rainbow and most importantly the RR workers braving the weather. It is these guys that make the RR's operate 24-7 through any climate. Love that bus shot - almost like something from a movie...


-Ryan aka "espeeboy"
on the ex-WP Oakland Sub MP11.2