Imported some of my Dad's old VHS clips from the 1986 around the Dunsmuir and Mount Shasta area. Train 1: Manifest near Nixon Road, Mount Shasta Train 2: Manifest near Mount Shasta Train 3: Dunsmuir
Good video. I'm a retired hoghead from Dunsmuir. I hired out on the Sacramento Division in Roseville in 1972. In 1983 I transferred my seniority to the Oregon Division as it was called then. This division was created by combining the old Shasta and Portland Divisions around 1971 or so. The third train with the helper behind the cab is a bit unusual for this time. Usually we would run the helper backwards so we'd be running in the right direction if returning to Dunsmuir as a lite engine. I was a Road Foreman of Engines headquartered at Dunsmuir from 1984 to 1987. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Sigh................
As a kid I lived in Dunsmuir and Mt. Shasta (1973-78) and lived next to the rails, dad was a conductor of SP then, was incredible to see the Freedom Train and SP 4449 back in the day. I loved the weather of Mt. Shasta, way too many weird hippies up there (aka: liberals). I remember as the weather got warmer, them creosote on the ties started to smell more and more. And yes, I model the SP and UP in HO scale now, lol. I'm grateful for whoever took the time to make this video.
More great footage....and memories!! SP offered up so many possibilities of super-cool consists and helpers, but one of my faves was a 45T-2 rear helper behind the cab. So neat!! BTW, immediately after that final scene (6:15) is a GE motor hiding behind the trees. Quite a rare visitor and a treat for those parts back then. Thanks for posting!!
Yeah baby, 5 tunnel motors and an SD45 powering up! Smoking up a storm too ... I once caught 11 units eastbound out of the Dunsmuir yard most of the units were deadheading but still, it was quite a sight! Wasn't it a bit unusual to have such a mongamous SD45-T2 helper BEHIND the caboose?
The trailers Transamerica, Preferred Pool and XTRA would give way to UPS, Roadway, Swift, JB Hunt and Alliance in today's modern era as well as 53 footers.
The horn on the first train sounds like a Nathan P3a. Heard quite a few of them on SP locomotives in the 70s and 80s, particularly on SD45T2s. Has a bit of a Leslie sound to it
Train at 2:35, Boeing cars for SP 112 to Vancouver, WA., where it becomes BN 112 to Seattle. I love the horns at 4:03 Next train looks like cars for Vancouver,WA.
Hi I like SP I know UP bought them so I see some of both in Portland Oregon I want to do a small 4x8 HO layout I wonder if SP has a SD9 that would work ok on a small layout turns your thoughts if I can ask thanks Dave
Hey Aaron. Nope. No shorts. At least not at Dunsmuir where this train was making a crew change on the main in what was called a “Depot Change.” Odds were that in daylight hours an officer was watching this as well as all other movements, certainly at a terminal headquarters where, one or the other, a Trainmaster or Road Foreman of Engines was probably on scene. But as soon as you hit the middle of nowhere unnecessary clothing was usually removed on the hot summer days with no AC.
