WP 2001 is all ready for the parade down the canyon to Roseville. August 31st the journey starts for Truckee, via Roseville and Donner. Greg Elems
Boxcab, I believe the second loco is GP7 #707, in the second generation orange and silver (instead of the black stripes on the end of the hoods, she has a single stripe of Scotchbrite reflective tape) When I was in Portola a couple weeks ago, both were in fine form! I wish I was going!
Boxcab, from the Altamont Press forum, this is the consist for the Feather River Railroad Society train to Truckee: Leaves Portola 8/31, overnight in Roseville, on to Truckee 9/1. Sigh, things are bad when an old steam guy digs up diesel info. [ 27. August 2003, 21:32: Message edited by: fitz ]
Fitz- At least it's first generation diseasels. Better than what we have now. Little Boxes all the same. Look Daddy! There goes a Dash Hyphen something or another. Maybe Greg or someone will be able to catch a few photos of the event for us? Boxcab E50
Greg, As an X member of the museum I am glad to finally see that some of the equipment at the museum is being taken care of. At the time I was there I made a comment in the museum news letter that we should spend the time and money getting the equipment we had into operating condition, and not buy or except any more donations. That went over like a led balloon. It also got me several hate letters from people who did not even show up except for railroad days. O well, that was then and this is now. A harty atta boy for you Greg and I hope more gets done with less politics. Shannon WP LIVES
Hi Shannon, You were correct in your comments. There has been a change in leadership the last four years and we are really working on a single direction as a museum. It was founded as a WP museum and it is once again going in that direction. It hasn't been a popular idea with all the members, but those who are working there are in agreement. There are some changes coming and I think next year will be real exciting. For one thing, a trade was made with the Bay Area Electric museum in Rio Vista California. The SN GP-7 # 712 and the WP F-7 #917 will be coming to Portola. In return, they will get our SN GE 70 tonner and a wooden SN cupola caboose. I'm not sure of all the equipment moving in the trade, but both museums seem happy with the result. Ken, this is the second unit in my picture you were asking about. It was taken at an earlier time though. The F unit you see behind it in this picture is our B unit in silver and orange from the CN. Not a true WP B unit from the WP but makes for a nice lash up none the less. Greg
Greg- That's a beautiful picture! A couple of questions- Didn't they recently acquire, or are in the process of, another former WP F unit? And, over the years, how many of WP B units had hostlers controls? Boxcab E50
Hi Ken, Yes, the FRRS is trading for a WP F-7 #917 from the Bay Area Electric Museum. We will also get SN GP-7 #712 and two cabooses. We will send them a first round draft pick to be named at a later date..... Actually, they will be getting an SN 44 tonner and wooden caboose. There are some other items we will be trading to them, but I don't remember what they are at the moment. All said and done, both museums are happy with the trade. Both will be working towards their mission statement and help preserve the equipment. As for the B units, I think they all had hostler controls in them. Very rudimentry at best, but still adiquite for moving it around the shop and so on. Greg
The FRRS has only one B unit. As far as I know, there maybe only one left in existance. Even that is under question, only because there seems to be no record of it being scrapped. That isn't to say it is sitting in a field somewhere in the south, but more than likely it is gone. As to the B unit at Portola, it came from the CN and was recently rebuilt prior to coming to Portola. A long winded answer for a short question. Greg
Forgive me if I'm doubling up here- I don't think I've asked before... Is there a FRRS collection roster on the 'Net somewhere? Boxcab E50 [ 29. August 2003, 20:24: Message edited by: BoxcabE50 ]
BoxCab, The web address for the Feather River Rail Society is www.wplives.org This should give you the inforamtion you are looking for. Shannon WP LIVES
