Another jewel from my collection: On April 12, 1944, the first NP RY diesel "road switcher" ever to be operated west of Livingston, Montana, departed that station. This was the 6001, an FT A-B-B-A set. As it headed toward Tacoma, Washington, this order was copied the next day, warning First Number 2, a crack passenger train out of the way. As this was during World War Two, and Number 2 was none other than the eastward North Coast Limited, it shows the priority placed on Extra 6001 West. See: Photo on page 245, of "The Northern Pacific Railway of McGee and Nixon" by Richard Green. Boxcab E50
I acquired it totally by accident. From a fellow who had been a young brakeman on that very passenger train, which met the 6001 April 13! Unfortunately he passed away about ten years ago. He had kept several train orders. Including a complete trip set, for an NP Santa Claus Special. Which I may post later.... Boxcab E50
Boxcab, nice order! It makes me wonder if the NP wanted to make the FT look good by getting everything out of their way? Or was it ususal practice to keep #2 waiting for opposing freight extras? The order does not cover Lester, so it would appear that 6001 had a stop there to get rid of any Helper engine? The Santa Claus special: Is that not the mail extra train? If I recall there is a picture of one at Lester in the "Northwest Rail Pictorial" I or II. If you have any info please share, as it would be great to understand how it was handled and scheduled. Cheers Dirk
Any particular reason the NCL would have to wait for an extra? Maybe Dirk is on the right track.. *pun intended* How many FT's did NP roster?
Hard to say why they'd hold the NCL. My guess would be that since this was the first run west for an FT set, they'd want to see what it could do without being impeded. It would be a once only occurance. NP originally rostered eleven ABBA sets of FT's. 6000ABCD to 6010ABCD. Boxcab E50
I only have that one order issued to First No 2. Which might have been part of a set for that issued to the Extra 6001. At least one other order could have been included. A standard Form G. "Engine 6001 run extra A to F." No mention of Lester would have been necessary, unless "F" was Lester. "F" would probably have been Auburn. As this was a first run, there may not have been a helper. Their wanting to know what 6001 could handle by itself. No way to find out for certain. Back when our mail went by rail, (except air mail), a Santa Claus Special was a seasonal mail train. Added to handle the extra Christmas mail volumes. I don't know how soon after Thanksgiving they were added. Or how many weeks they were run. Boxcab E50
Boxcab, thanks for the feedback! I am always intrigued to find out more how NP actually run on Stampede Pass (and than try to bring that into my operating sessions...) Cheers Dirk
Is there possibility, that the #2 was held because not only because 6001 was on its first run, but also because it was a supply train? During the war, I thought that even Crack passenger trains (on all railroads) might have to take the siding once or twice for troop or supply trains?
Clayton- That could be possible. As this was a first run, it would have also been a test train. Given priority to check it's unhindered performance abilities on grades, with "X" tonnage, etc. Unless a record exists about this specific move, in the Jackson Street archives, it's likely we'll never know for certain. Boxcab E50
