REPORT MISCELLANIA
The California Western reports that troubles have developed with their former Rayonier mallet engine destined for use on the "Skunk" railroad. Scheduled for its inaugural run on April llth, the railroad had to cancel its committment to operate a charter train on that day. The railroad hopes to have the engine running later this year. A rare sight indeed will be a mallet under steam!
A Minute's Silence...Saturday will mark the passing of another of the diminishing passenger trains as the Western Pacific operates the last California Zephyr. The majestic Feather River Canyon will now be seen only by the crews of the freight trains rolling through.
Scotsman Scuttlebutt...Word now is that the Flying Scotsman,due in San Diego on the 24th of April, will arrive in San Diego under its own power. No one either confirms or denies so your guess is as good as ours. Nevertheless even dead, the Scotsman should be a sight for our steam-starved eyes. The Scotsman is scheduled to spend seven days here. Keep your eyes on the local papers for more details regarding times and etc.
The Rocky Mountain RR Club will operate an excursion on Memorial day, May 30th, with Union Pacific engine 8444 doing the honors. The one day trip leaves Denver to Rawlins and return by way of Sherman Hill. Fare is $27 including meals in a buffet car. Interested persons should contact the RMRRC, Box 2391, Denver, Colorado 80201.
The "In" thing for collectors of railroadiana these days are china and silverware from the elegant dining cars of yesterday. Lillian's Shop of Chicago is offering several of these "goodies" including Pennsylvania coffee pot—$35; Pennsylvania creamer—$25; Seaboard bread tray—$20; Cal— Zephyr teapot-$15. A free list is available for a self-addressed envelope - Lillian's Shop, Box 17165-TS, Chicago, Illinois 60617.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
NOTE: WITH THE LEASING OF THE MIRAMAR TRACKAGE AND THB PENDING MOVEMENT OF PSRMA'S EQUIPMENT, YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD WILL BE MORE VALUABLE. ONLY MEMBERS WILL BE ABLE TO ENTER THE NAVAL STATION. WITH PERMISSION TO OPERATE, YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THE LOCOMOTIVES. RENEW TODAY!
This is a final reminder for those of you who have not renewed your membership yet. The deadline is April 15th and after that you'll be dropped from the roster. We need your support in the up-coming year what with a number of developnents occuring at this time, and with even more in the near future.
The new membership cards are in, and they're now being prepared. If you're with us for 1970 you should be getting your card in the mail within a week or two.
SOUTHWEST CORNER
by John Hathaway
This month we're going to take a pictorial tour of the Cajon Pass area just north of San Bernardino. For the railfan the rugged San Bernardino mountains and the two mainlines that pass through them offer an outstanding one-day field trip for train watching. The trip is less than three hours from San Diego to the small settlement of Summit at the crest of Cajon Pass and offers the railfan views of Santa Fe, Southern Pacific, and Union Pacific trains out on the main.
From San Diego travel north on Highway 395 to San Bernardino and Interstate 15. From San Bernardino it's a short half-hour trip into the mountains and the Cajon turnoff. Following the winding Summmit Valley Road will get you to Cajon Pass itself in about 15 minutes. From then on you have a grandstand seat for mainline railroading at its best as the following pictures will testily.
Just one final word of warning: Rail traffic in the area is light on Sundays.
Union Pacific SD-45 #36l5 leads a consist of fellow EMD diesels eastbound through Devore at the base of Cajon Pass. Following #3615 is GP-30B #720B, DD-35 #75, and GP-30 #807 in this June 6, 1969 afternoon scene.
