I was down in the Modesto/Turlock area visiting my kids a couple of weekends ago. My ex and I took a drive to Turlock from Newman (where she lives) down some backroads when we came across a facility that had a large number of locos stored, including two orange and silver GE 44 ton locomotives. The facility was marked as the Turlock and Western. Anyone have any other info?
They are the only industry on the TS Chemergic Branch. We used to run down and spot the cars but after they bought a few engines all we would do is spot them across the road and they would come and get them. Or we would go down and get the empties they pushed across the road. I don't remember taking loads down and bringing back empties on the same trip after they started spotting their cars. It's been six yrs since I've been down there. Do they still have the UP caboose and yellow Baldwin switcher? They did a very nice job painting the 44tonners in silver and orange. Greg Elems
I've never heard of Turlock & Western. Possibly because it's a non-common carrier? Any chance you could catch a photo next trip? Boxcab E50
From what I understand, Chemurgic Chemical owns the Turlock Western. I had heard one of the 44tonners #25 had gone to display in Tempe,Arizona but recent reports state they are both still there. Here is a recent report on what locos are currently at Chemurgic I got in an email: Unfortunately I havn't made any of my recently planned trips to Turlock to verify the list. Heres a couple pics for you all:
Oh and heres my roster info: Turlock Western #17 S-12 Baldwin #76091 1955 ex US Steel #17, nee Armco Steel #1200, nee Armco Steel #706 #25 44Ton GE #28339 1946 ex Stockton Terminal & Eastern #25, nee CCT #25 #26 44Ton GE #30465 1950 nee Stockton Terminal & Eastern #569, nee Stauffer Chemical, nee International Mineral & Chemical, nee Federal Iron & Metal, nee PFE #1:2, nee Pine Flat Dam Const #2851, nee Pine Flat Dam Const #30465
Boxcab, I really wish I had a camera on me that day. I wasn't driving and we went down so many two lane roads I can't remember how we got there! (and, I'm a truck driver!) John, thanks for the photos. I'm pretty sure there were two GE's there. Maybe some weekend soon, I'll go exploring out that way again.
