If you could run any kind of train

[thespcaboose]

If you could run any kind of train on the Southern Pacific, what would it be. I'd be interested to know the kind of comodities and any other things you would run and operate on the Southern Pacific. It's all fair game.

[espeelover]

Twice I got to "run" something, and both times it was on the SP. The first was a light set of power, and just for a little bit. The second time was a lone SW1500 and 12 100 ton LO's of Potash and a C-30 baywindow. I had to back out of a yard, cross a street, then get in the clear for a Santa Fe freight and do some switching with those loaded cars making the entire job scary as hell. It was like I had no brakes, and that was at low speed. The hogger was right there for me each time, but still it was quite challenging. Getting the train started was no problem; even starting up the cold switcher that morning was not too bad. Getting them all stopped, where and when they needed to be stopped, that was the 'muffin' challenge.

If I could run anything, I'd like to be kicking back (dead heading)in the remote controlled swing helpers leaving West Colton and tying up in Bakersfield...or better yet in the caboose so I could just watch the scenery from that angle. The rest would make me crazy; unless I had been to choo-choo school first; being ignorant of all the possible things that need to be done in a job, is not a fun feeling for me. I prefer to approach a task from the familiar side as opposed to the 'clueless' side. Were I skilled, I'd love to run Tehachapi from Bakersfield to Mojave on a cool spring day, enjoying the wild flowers; but I'd need a time machine to do it when I wanted to, because I'd like to have done it in a lashup with an F7 unit on the point.

[thespcaboose]

Very cool.

[Van Nuys Local]

That's a great question Gary. I've always been interested in the slow branch line locals and switchers, so the Burbank Branch's Van Nuys Local with a GP9 and SW1500 hauling lumber loads would be my first choice. The SP subsidiary, the Visalia Electric, with one of the leased SW900E or Alco S-6 with some reefers full of Navels in tow would be my second choice. My third choice would be any of the Oregon branches with some heavy bulkhead flats of 2x4s and a quartet of Cadillacs. I can't resist a fourth, the Kentucky House Branch and some Geeps holding back some cement loads would have been interesting.

[thespcaboose]

To answer my own question; I've always been interested in COFC/TOFC traffic. So I would run a COFC/TOFC train with tunnel motors on the point and helpers.

[espeefoamer]

I think running a Train Master on a commute would be a real blast. The acceleration on those units was awesome. ;D

[thespcaboose]

Very good. Awesome stuff by all!

[SP 9811]

hmmmm, you ask a good question Gary.
Well it would be a mile long mixed merchandise, with an assortment of SD40's, Flares, Tunnel Motors and maybe a GP40, with helpers of course, ran east over Tehachapi, with a stop in the hole at Woodford so it can start up on the grade!! Oh and Virgil or Sherman dispatching!
Oh and a pull apart somewhere on the line, so the UDE light can come on!

[thespcaboose]

Fantastic Thom!! I would love to see and hear that action!!

Virgil Yeager, I remember quite well. Sherman I don't remember.

[jerrydebene]

I would want to run the American Freedom Train.

[thespcaboose]

Very cool Jerry. That's a very good lookin' train.

[espeefoamer]

I would like to run the Kaiser ore train, over San Timoteo canyon,led by 3 U28Cs on the head end,three in the middle, and three more cut in ahead of the caboose. The sound of those was awesome! ;D

[thespcaboose]

Sounds great espeefoamer. I would love to see that train roll by!!