(The following story by Matt Parker appeared on the Reno Gazette-Journal website on May 20.)
RENO, Nevada — The Feather River Rail Society welcomed the latest addition to its collection of historic railroad equipment at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum at Portola on May 17 with the arrival of Central California Traction Company (CCT) caboose #24.
CCT 24 was built in 1927 for the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad, where its original road number was ATSF 1547. It was acquired by CCT in 1967 and was the last caboose used by their railroad, finally retiring from regular service in 1998. It was acquired by the Feather River Rail Society through an equipment trade with CCT in 2007. Its last journey over what once were the rails of the Western Pacific saw it arriving at its new home in Portola on May 16, 2008.
The Central California Traction Company was incorporated in August 1905. Electric passenger train service between Stockton and Lodi, California began in September 1907 with additional service to Sacramento beginning in August 1910 upon completion of a line to that city. The CCT came under the joint ownership of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe, Southern Pacific, and Western Pacific railroads in 1936. CCT’s connection to the Western Pacific is what makes this caboose’s preservation at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum significant. Today, the CCT is jointly owned by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific Railroads, and continues to provide freight service on the Stockton-Lodi portion of its tracks as well as at the Port of Stockton
Coincidentally, Union Pacific Railroad Engineer Dave Stanley was the Engineer on the train which handled this caboose on the portion of its journey from Stockton to Roseville, California. The 24 was an old friend of Mr. Stanley, who began his railroading career on the CCT. Here is his first-hand account of handling this caboose on its journey to its new home:
“When I awoke yesterday morning, I stumbled into our closet and grabbed one of my favorite t-shirts from the rack: my blue Central California Traction tee, with the cloverleaf logo on the front and the late Ken Tinker’s quip;Ship Traction for Quick Action; on the back. No special reason for grabbing this one, although it does a good job of hiding my belly and associated flab. Little did I know at the time that I would become an integral player in getting an old acquaintance started on her final trip out of Stockton, CCT caboose 24.”
“Built by ACF in 1927 as the Santa Fe 1547, number 24 had called Stockton home pretty much since arriving on CCT property in August 1964. Six nights a week, she carried the markers on the rear of “The Local,” the Stockton to Sacramento (and return) hauler, providing an office on wheels for conductors and flagmen the likes of Art Carmichael, Bill May, Adolph Reinert, Chris Clifton, and, from my era, Joe Tacke, Jack Jenkins and Charley Drew. Number 24 was my ride one Friday night in 1975 when I was called in emergency as conductor on the Local (two years before I was actually promoted). My roommate John Clark had recently hired out on the CCT and was my flagman on that memorable trip.”
“Now, 33 years later, my short time on the CCT is just a long ago memory chronicled in my old UTU timebooks. Today’s assignment off the Roseville south engineers extra board is at the throttle of the LRD96, aka the Stockton Turn. Regular hogger J. J. Parise has taken the day off, so I get the call to fill his vacancy. The conductor and brakeman are old WP buddies of mine, Larry Boykin and Nick Schon, both holding this preferred run as they approach retirement. ”
“The trip south was uneventful. 6,000 feet of train behind three big barrels (no more SD40s on this job). Pulling down track 9 in Stockton yard, I notice the west end yard engine tied onto a cut of cars in 8 rail. The car next to the GP38 was CCT caboose 24! I knew she was enroute to Portola but had no knowledge of her actually being readied for this move, as I had just seen #24 at the CCT carbarn on May 1st. But now she’s sitting on the rail next to me. I wonder if… ”
“After a power swap, and a two hour wait (over coffee, at the yard office) while yard crews assembled our outbound train, the yardmaster sent our manifest over the printer. Lo and behold, there’s #24 as the rear car on our 111-car train (13 loads, 98 empties, 5242 tons, 7360 feet). Right where she was intended to be, and about to be pulled by the only engineer on the entire UP system tied to her historically! Divine intervention, anyone??”
“Hard to believe that this 81 year-old lady is still allowed 70mph on the UP; that was the speed indicated on the manifest. But our maximum this trip is 50 due to other restricted cars. Departing Stockton at 0045 on the 15th, we ran on favorable color all the way to Elk Grove. Number 24 passed within 20 feet of the old CCT Lodi freight depot for the final time at 0120 and her last OS; thru Polk happened at 0200. She was put to bed in the Roseville hump by 0250. ”
“It was indeed a trip to remember, working with three old friends — Larry, Nick…and number 24. Portola, she’s headed your way!”