Gary. wasn’t that closer to 1970? I was looking at records at work, and the the Palmdale Cutoff construction started in 1967.
John Miller said:
Gary. wasn’t that closer to 1970? I was looking at records at work, and the the Palmdale Cutoff construction started in 1967.
No John, it WAS October 1983. I know this because I was given a ticket for this ride by the president of Los Angeles Live Steamers at the time. We were the first passenger train to use the “cut-off”. We left Union Station on a Saturday morning and we were not told our “destination” until after the train departed. During the announcement, the passengers were told that we would be the first passenger train ever allowed to go THROUGH Colton Yards, NOT the mainline. Just before reaching Cajon Summit, it was announced that we were switching off the mainline and going onto the “New” Palmdale Cut-off. We then proceeded to Mojave Yard for our lunch. After a couple of hours layover in Mojave, we proceeded to go back over the cut-off and had our dinner (in a REAL diner, with china and silver)) at sunset in the Pass. My benefactor had purchased the dinner tickets for the perfect time! We eventually went back through Colton Yard and arrived at Union Station at 11pm. Very memorable ride! Somewhere in my stash of old shirts is a shirt depicting the ride and the date. That’s all I remember…been thirty plus years!
EDIT: Here’s a link to the excursion on the Palmdale Cut-off, 10/22/1983;
http://www.trainweb.org/chris/Specials.html
Scroll down to two photos…7 sets of photos down the page.
Another link: Same story, but the date is incorrect in the story. Should be Saturday 10/22/1983.
oh okay, i missed the first passenger train part.
Does anyone know when this will be moved to Mojave?
Doug they dont know when the move thru Cajon will take place yet, first they have to get it to Colton so they can then prep it for the rail journey to Cheyenne.
I was told the first move to Colton will probably be sometime right after Christmas during the lowest lull in commuter travel, and will be during daylight for safety. Based on that I would assume the 28/29th for the move to Colton but thats just my take, you’d have to contact the Museum for an exact date.
After that they have to prep it for the transfer (air brakes, automated lubing, weatherization) and that I was told could take a couple months so again its anyone guess when the Cajon move will happen.
Thanks Vic. Wouldn’t it be nice if they moved it when there was snow in the pass?
Doug, I kind of let this one fall by the wayside. I need to get in touch with UP Police.