This particular train ride would take the two of us from Medford on the old Espee Syskiyou branch, past Phoenix and Talent, through Ashland and over the summit of the Syskiyous. The ride would take us through tunnels #13, #14, and #15, and over the Wall Creek Viaduct. Dropping down into California, we were to end our journey in the little community of Hornbrook. We would then return after a brief car exchange and a motive power swap.
The Engineer for our little journey was Jim Armstrong. Mike, Jim, and I had once worked for the same employer. After getting on with the railroad, Jim promised us a ride. That day had finally come.
Our train consisted of seven locomotives (various GP38-2s & GP40-2s), 26 loads and 18 empties. Due to its condition, SD units are no longer allowed on this portion of the line. Most of the cars that day were center beam flats and boxcars loaded with wood products, along with the empties.
With cameras and lunch boxes in hand, Mike and I boarded the fourth unit back (other passengers were along for the ride as well). We left Medford at around 10:00 a.m., traveling through the densely populated areas of Talent and Phoenix at around 10 mph. After passing through Ashland, we gained speed for our assault on the summit. Mike and I could definitely tell that the sanders were on as we made our way around Dollarhide Curve, a switchback with a nearly 3% grade. Our speed eventually dropped to a near walking pace. (We learned later that we had lost an engine on the way up, making the strain more severe on the remaining six. A thoughtful dispatcher, seeing we had one more engine than usual, had graciously added more tonnage to our train.)
After passing over I-5, we made our way to the tunnels. Tunnel #14 is unique in that it covers half of another switchback. With a quick look to the left when you exit #14 you can see the end of the train exiting tunnel #15 far below. Tunnel #13 is very straight and very long; I never knew how dark it really is inside a tunnel. A blue haze filled our cab as we emerged from the other side.
Gliding down the southern side into California, our weather started turning for the better. The sun poked through the overcast just long enough to cast sparkles off of the streams of winter run-off. Rolling past the old stage coach station at Hilt, our train passed through a high-wide detector. The automated signal that barked back through the radio indicated everything was OK.
One of the more curious sights along the trip was on the way down Bailey Hill. After the line leaves Hilt, it makes a series of wide curves, crosses I-5, then continues to curve back and forth down the hill. On the inside of one of these curves is a small farm house. Sitting next to the house in an open field is an SP steel boxcar. Evidently left there after some mishap around the curve, the boxcar rests in the dirt with doors wide open, acting as a makeshift barn. Scenes like that are only found when riding the rails,
and just beg to be modeled!
Around 2:00 in the afternoon we arrived in Hornbrook. After a short period of car and diesel shuffling with another train crew from the south, we headed back up the way we came. None of the other passengers returned with us, so Mike and I got lead unit privileges! I must say that the view is much better from the front, but photographs from mid-train are hard to beat.
The return trip was hampered by increasingly bad weather and approaching darkness. Our crew was most hospitable, though, answering questions and pointing out various trackside devices along the way.
From the lead unit, we were able to get a much better look at the Wall Creek Viaduct. For anyone that thinks this structure is high from looking at photographs taken from the ground, you should try looking down from the cab of a rumbling locomotive!
By the time we reached Ashland, a steady rain was falling. Letting the air actuated wipers do their best, we slowly made our way back through the rural neighborhoods of Talent and Phoenix. It was dark when we reached the Medford yard. We dropped our train load of cars, then pulled onto the siding next to the CORP office.
It had been a long day. Our ears rang from the constant din of the diesel motors, we felt dirty from the sand dust and exhaust fumes, and we were tired. But one thing we were not — disappointed. It was an experience both Mike and I will remember for a long time, and one I’m sure we will repeat.
To respond to this month's Editorial, send comments to me at
To respond to this month's Editorial, send comments to: michaelj@modelrailroadnews.com
