The Cotton Belt local trains operating out of Commerce, TEXAS in 1972-73 were the Sulphur Springs Switcher and the Greenville Dodger. These two trains had assigned cabooses at the time #37 was on the Switcher and #6 was on the Dodger. Both were extended vision types. The power used was whatever was available in the yard. Seen on the point of these trains were types GP9, GP9E, RSD-12 (once), GP20, GP30, GP35, and SD40 (once). Commerce was the crew change point for trains on the Dallas/Ft. Worth secondary main. The pattern of operations was for the Switcher to go on duty first, switch around Commerce and then take whatever cars it had East to Sulphur Springs. I remember Carnation had a plant in that town that needed constant switching. The Dodger would go on duty later in the day, switch Commerce, and then take its cars to Greenville. At Greenville connection was made with the KCS and the MKT. Three times I was invited into the cab of the Dodger for rides. Twice it was just around the Yard in Commerce, but the last time it was all the way to Greenville and back. The train had an Espee GP9 the first time, an Espee GP35 the second, and for the trip to Greenville it had a leased C&O GP30. The GP30 was slow loading, and very slippery according to the engineer whenever a large cut of cars was being shoved. The ride was uneventful, unless you have never travelled in this fashion before, then it is exciting. The crew probably could have been is some trouble if discovered by the Trainmaster, that didn't happen. All went well and crew and railfan all returned safely to Commerce after a three hour trip. [ March 06, 2005, 07:56 AM: Message edited by: SSW9389 ]
Very interesting reading. Thank you for the post and welcome aboard! Charlie ------------------ Ship It On The FRISCO! | IAMOKA.com
