Seems Modesto & Empire Traction had a little accident...excerpts from another discussion: Course here's a pic of WCTU 5119. She looks much the same today: Was down in Modesto a couple weekends ago. Could barely see #5119/#613. Couldn't verify whether or not she has been physically renumbered. Also saw ex WCTU #5117 with hood off (got a pic) and what must be the ex Santa Maria Valley units. Here is a link to my roster as well: MET Roster I will be adding some new pics shortly.
Wow, I watched the fleet grow from three to 9 before I left Modesto. Sad to hear about the wreck. Last time I was down to see the M&ET I got to watch a pair kick cars. Surprisingly they were good at it. Those Cooper Besimer engines sure sounded good too. M&ET does take good care of their engines.
John that picture is great,I used to watch this engine work at the mills in white city a few years ago,when I was an securety guard at Bosie lumber mill in White city.Oregon. Here a picture I took of this engine a few years ago,it allso has an sister but don't rember the number? JIM
Awesome! My one and only trip to White City was a bust. Both 70Tonners were locked away inside. By the way, both are ex SP. #5117 and #5119.
A few corrections to this thread. The lite engines (running without cars) that were in the wreck were 609 lead engine, 606 middle unit and 601 rear engine. They ran into a standing cut of cars. The 609 took the worst of it and derailed. The 606 was almost as bad as the nine and derailed. The 6 and 9 took enough shook to save the 601. The 601 was restarted after inspection and rerailed the 6 and 9. She then towed them back to the shop. The 603 is alive and well. The 613 now has the 606's hood and is all repainted. All of the running 70 tonners have been upgraded except the 613 to AAR control stands and 26 air over the years. The 613 is running with all of her original cab equipment which includes 14 air. The SMV engines will not be restored and there will be no 612. The Alaskan Pulp engine has gone to scrap. The 606 has been scrapped also. The EMD 1500's did almost all of the work this week parking all of the 70's. The 70's were run on Thursday just to warm them up. This will have to be done all winter to keep them in running condition and to cover if a 1500 is down for inspection or repairs. S160280
These numbers sound familiar. Did they ever work The branch south of Coos Bay, for Coo Bay Timber/ Georgia Pacific? Boxcab E50
If I had to guess they will be around for 3 or more years. If we get a large U.P. train it takes up to 5 of the 70's or 2 1500's to bring it in. During peek traffic with crews working O/T it takes the 70's and 1500's to run the railroad account there is sometimes 4 sets of power out at once. S160280
OK, so I take it there will not be a #610 or #611 either since these are the SMV units? Does this mean SMV #30,#40 and WCTU #5117 are now parts sources only? MET #609 is no longer listed on their official roster either. Does this mean she is also a parts source only or will she be scrapped too? Need to update my roster if this is so.
I would assume that yes they did. The 70tonners were all over in Oregon. Most operated an several of the branches. I don't have any sort of list that shows which particular 70s operated on which branches. I'm not sure if anything but photos could actually prove these two were on the branch you refer to but it would be a good bet.
Hmmm. Guess I'll need to dig out a box of paperwork. Unfortunately, it's at the bottom of a pile. I have some flimsies for operations on the line south of Coos Bay. I know they'll show some engine numbers. Argh. There goes my bad back. Boxcab E50
