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Daniel Metcalf Railroad Photography
A Visit to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
On June 4th, 2017, I went to my favorite railway museum, the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum. The museum is located 50 miles east of San Diego in the US-Mexico border town of Campo, California. The museum has many pieces of equipment on display. Also, the museum operates an approximately 45-minute train ride on the old San Diego & Arizona Railway, which is now part of the Baja California Railroad, from the museum in Campo to the Mexican border and back.
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #2098
ALCO RS-2 Diesel-electric Locomotive
Built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in 1949 as an RS-2 diesel-electric road switcher. It was delivered new to the Kennecott Copper Corporation (KCC) and was assigned to their Nevada Mines Division. The locomotive operated on the railroad until 1983 when the mine and smelter closed. Then the KCC transferred the locomotive to their Utah Copper Division. It worked there briefly before being donated to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum on July 9th, 1984. After being stored in La Mesa, California, for a while, the locomotive was brought to the museum's main location in Campo, CA, on February 28th, 1987. In early 1988, the museum restored the locomotive to operating condition. Then it was repainted and renumbered to ATSF #2098 to represent an Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (ATSF) RS-2. This was for the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum-sponsored RAILFAIR '88 at the ATSF Wright Street Rail Yard in downtown San Diego. Currently, ATSF #2098 can be seen on display at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo, California.
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway #2381
ALCO S-2 Diesel-electric Locomotive
Built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in 1949 as a model S-2 diesel-electric switcher locomotive. It was delivered new to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (ATSF). The ATSF assigned the locomotive to their Missouri Division for yard and local service. Later, the locomotive was transferred to California's Bay Area. After a while, the locomotive saw service in the San Diego Area. On June 8, 1977, the locomotive was retired and placed in storage. In March of 1986, the ATSF donated the locomotive to the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, California. It stayed at the museum until early 2007 when it was donated to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo, California. Currently, ATSF 2381 can be seen on display at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo, California.
California Western Railroad #46
Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-6-6-2T Steam Locomotive
Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1937 for the Weyerhaeuser Timber Company. In 1954, Rayonier Inc. purchased the locomotive and kept it for several years. In 1968, the California Western Railroad bought the locomotive and in 1984 donated it to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum. Currently, it can be seen at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo, California.
E.J. Lavino & Co. #10
ALCO 0-6-0T Steam Locomotive
Built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in 1923 for the Lavino Furnace Company (E.J. Lavino & Co.). On May 11, 1966, it was acquired by the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum (PSRM), becoming the first locomotive acquired by the museum. At the time the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum did not have any facilities built yet, so it arrived at the PSRM rented tracks at the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, California, on January 31, 1967. On January 9th, 1981, the locomotive arrived at the PSRM La Mesa, California, Location. Later, In July 1983, it was moved to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum's main location in Campo, California. Currently, it can be seen at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo, California.
Missouri Pacific Railroad #13936
Caboose
Built by the Missouri Pacific Railroad (MoPac) in 1980 as a Caboose. In January 1993, when the MoPac merged with the Union Pacific Railroad the caboose was retired. It was then sold for $3,000 to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum (PSRM) and placed on display at the PSRM main location in Campo, California. Currently, it can be seen at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum.
Oregon & Northwestern Railroad #1
Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Corporation AS-616 Diesel Locomotive
Built by the Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Corporation in 1953. In 1954, it was sold to the Oregon & Northwestern Railroad (O&NW). The O&NW used it for nearly 30 years, then in 1984 it was placed in storage. In November 1990, the locomotive was purchased by the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum of Campo, California. The locomotive arrived at the museum in Campo, CA in July 1991. Currently, it can be seen on display at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo, CA.
Pullman "Commandant"
Sleeper Car
Built by the Pullman Car & Manufacturing Co. in December 1915 as a Sleeper Car. It was owned and operated by the Pullman Sleeping Car Company and was used for many years on the Southern Railway. In December 1944, it was retired and was sold to 20th Century-Fox. In 1972, 20th Century-Fox sold the car to Short Line Enterprises who later sold the car for use as a restaurant. In 1984, the car was purchased by the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum. Currently, it can be seen on display at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo, California.
Rockdale, Sandow & Southern Railroad #3
Passenger Coach
Built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1886 as a coach. Its history with the Pennsylvania Railroad is mostly unknown. In May 1916, it was sold to the Dardanelle & Russellville Railroad, a five-mile shortline railroad in Arkansas. To follow Arkansas railroad segregation law, sometime during the 1920s, the car had a "Jim Crow" racial segregation divider built-in approximately in the middle of the car. On October 31st, 1936, the car was retired and sold to the Rockdale, Sandow & Southern Railroad, a shortline railroad in Texas. In February 1945, the Rockdale, Sandow & Southern Railroad sold the car to 20th Century-Fox. It was used in many films including Love Me Tender and The True Story of Jesse James. In 1972, the car was sold to Short Line Enterprises for use on a tourist railroad. In April 1976, the car was traded to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum (PSRM) of Campo, California. The PSRM restored the car in 2008/2009 and now use it as the centerpiece for their African American railroad heritage display.
San Diego & Arizona Railway #104
Baldwin Locomotive Works 2-8-0 Consolidation Steam Locomotive
Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1904 for the Southern Pacific Railroad (SP). The SP used it until March 25th, 1921, when it was purchased by the San Diego & Arizona Railway (SDAX). The SDAX numbered it #104. They used it in freight and passenger service. In 1923, it was used in the San Diego & Arizona Railway promotional film Carriso Gorge, The Magnificent. In 1933, the Southern Pacific Railroad purchased the San Diego & Arizona Railway renaming it to the San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railway and #104 became SDAE #104. On May 21st, 1941, the Southern Pacific Railroad requisitioned SDAE #104 on long-term loan. In September 1948, it was given back to the San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railway. On October 18th, 1954, SDAE #104 was retired. The Southern Pacific Railroad donated it to the Southern California Exposition and San Diego County Fair. For 27 years, the locomotive could be seen by thousands of visitors at the fair. Due to the damp ocean air, the locomotive deteriorated severely and a decision was made to donate the locomotive to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum. In August 1993, it arrived at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum's main location in Campo, California. The locomotive has since been redesignated San Diego & Arizona Railway #104.
San Diego & Arizona Railway #1809
Electro-Motive Division of General Motors MRS-1 Diesel-electric Locomotive
Built by Electro-Motive Diesel in 1952, for the U.S. Army Transportation Corps as U.S. Army #B-1809. It was built during the Korean War and had multi-gauge trucks installed in case the war made its way to the Soviet Union territory. The U.S. Army Transportation Corps transferred it to Marietta Air Force Station. From November 1952 to November 1955, it was leased to the Alaska Railroad. After returning from Alaska, it had its engine rebored to a larger size and was placed in storage. In 1969, it returned to service and was transferred to the U.S. Air Force. The USAF used it at Vandenberg Air Force Base hauling supplies for the planned Manned Orbiting Laboratory. In 1979, USAF #1809 was shipped to the National Transportation Group, Rail Service Division storage yard near Clearfield, Utah. In 1981, the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum was looking to acquire two MRS-1 locomotives. Early in 1982, the National Air Force Rail Item Manager donated the USAF #1809 and the U.S. Army #1820 to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo, California. Both locomotives arrived at the museum in August 1983. On New Years' Eve 1984, it was restored and painted in the Southern Pacific Railroad "Black Widow" paint scheme and lettered San Diego & Arizona Railway (SDAX) #1809. It was then used to power the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum excursion train. Currently, SDAX #1809 is awaiting a full restoration and can be seen on display at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum.
San Diego & Arizona Railway #4004
American Locomotive Company RS-32 Diesel-electric Locomotive
Built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in April 1962 for the Southern Pacific Railroad. It was numbered 7304 by the SP. In 1965, it was renumbered to 4004 by the Southern Pacific Railroad. In June 1979, Chrome Crankshaft purchased the locomotive, keeping its number 4004. They leased #4004 to the San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railway in 1980 where it operated on the San Diego Trolley Line hauling freight. In November 1981, the J.R. Simplot Company of Pocatello, Idaho purchased the locomotive from Chrome Crankshaft. In 1989, the 4004 was retired. In 1990 it was donated to the Feather River Rail Society. In the early-2000s, the locomotive was acquired by the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum of Campo, Caliornia. It arrived at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum on July 20th, 2005. Currently, the locomotive can be seen on display at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum.
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San Diego & Arizona Railway #7285
General Electric 80-Ton Diesel-electric Locomotive
San Diego & Arizona Railway #7285 is an 80-Ton Diesel-electric Locomotive built by the General Electric Corporation in 1943. It was built for the U.S. Army. In 1965, it was passed over to the U.S. Marine Corps. and was based at Camp Pendleton in California. In January 1993, a flash flood hit the locomotive's deck plates, covered the traction motors, and left a lot of debris on it. The locomotive was declared surplus, because of the flash flood. Almost a year later, the locomotive was donated to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum of Campo, California. On June 22, 1995, the locomotive arrived at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo, California. Later it was lettered San Diego & Arizona Railway #7285. In 2007 it was repainted in a "Tiger Stripe" Paint Scheme reminiscent of the early Southern Pacific Railroad Diesel Locomotive Paint Scheme. The museum uses the locomotive as the primary motive power for its excursion train.
San Diego & Arizona Railway #8157
H.K. Porter, Inc. 25-Ton Diesel-electric Locomotive
San Diego & Arizona Railway #8157 is a 25-Ton Diesel-electric Locomotive built by the H.K. Porter, Inc. It was one of nine 25-Ton Diesel-electric locomotives built by the H.K. Porter, Inc. It was delivered to the National Supply Company in Torrance, California. By 1983, the locomotive was declared surplus and was sold to Robert W. Babcock of Orange, Ca. On April 26th, 1985, Robert W. Babcock leased the locomotive to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo, California, for $1.00 a year. During that time, Mr. Babcock had the locomotive repainted yellow and put San Diego & Arizona Railway lettering on it. In 1988, it was donated to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo. California. Currently, it can be seen on display at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum.
San Diego & Arizona Railway #050 "Carriso Gorge"
Business Car
San Diego & Arizona Railway #050 "Carriso Gorge" is a Business Car built by The Pullman Car & Manufacturing Corp. in 1910. It was built for the Southern Pacific Railroad as an Observation Car #1733. On December 18th, 1919, it was purchased by the San Diego & Arizona Railway (SDAX). The SDAX had it converted into a Business Car for John D. Spreckels, the first president of the San Diego & Arizona Railway. It was numbered SDAX #050 and named "Carriso Gorge" after the Carriso Gorge (now spelled Carrizo). On August 7th, 1940, the car was leased to the Southern Pacific Railroad and renumbered SP #101 "Tucson." in April 1945, the car was converted into a medical examination car. In 1955, the Southern Pacific Railroad donated the car to the San Diego County Fair. It was relettered back to San Diego & Arizona Railway #050 "Carriso Gorge". The car arrived at the San Diego County Fairgrounds in Del Mar on September 2nd, 1955. 27 years later, in February 1982, the car was donated to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo, California. San Diego & Arizona Railway #050 "Carriso Gorge" arrived at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo, California, in August 1983. Currently, the museum has a major fund-raising campaign in planning to restore the car back to its 1922 appearance.
San Diego & Arizona Railway #252
Passenger Coach
San Diego & Arizona Railway #252 is a Passenger Coach built by The Pullman Car & Manufacturing Corp. in 1930. It was originally built for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad as a closed-end commuter car. It was numbered DLW #2581 and was placed in service on the Morris and Essex division in northern New Jersey. On October 17th, 1960, the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad merged with the Erie Railroad to form the Erie Lackawanna Railroad and the car was renumbered 3581. The Erie Lackawanna Railroad became part of Conrail on April Fools Day 1976. On December 10th, 1979, the New Jersey Transit became the owner of the commuter line, and due to maintenance cutbacks, the car began to look run down. In January 1985, the car was purchased for $2,000.00 by the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum (PSRM) in Campo, California. When the car arrived it was converted to a Passenger Coach for their excursion train and was lettered San Diego And Arizona 252. Currently, San Diego & Arizona Railway #252 is used on the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum's excursion train.
San Diego & Arizona Railway #6700
Baggage Car
San Diego & Arizona Railway #6700 is a Baggage Car built by the St. Louis Car Company in 1960. It was delivered to the Southern Pacific Railroad (SP). The SP retired it in the late-1980s. In November 1994, it was purchased by the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum (PSRM) in Campo, California. The PSRM restored the car and designated it San Diego & Arizona Railway #6700. In December 1995, it was put in service on the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum's excursion train. Currently, San Diego & Arizona Railway #6700 is still in service on the PSRM excursion train.
San Diego & Arizona Railway #2041
Boxcar
There's not a lot of known history on this Boxcar. The boxcar can currently be seen on display at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum.
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Southern Pacific Railroad #2353
Baldwin Locomotive Works 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler Steam Locomotive
Southern Pacific Railroad #2353 is a 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler Steam Locomotive. It was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in August 1912. On October 18th, 1912, it was delivered to the Southern Pacific Railroad. The SP later leased it to the San Diego & Arizona Railway on December 28th, 1927. On November 14th, 1939, it was returned to the Southern Pacific Railroad and was sent to the San Francisco area for use in freight service. Then again in 1956, it was used as a helper on the San Diego & Arizona (Eastern) Railway. On January 18th, 1957, the locomotive was retired, and on March 7th, 1957, was donated to the Imperial Valley Fairgrounds in Imperial, California. On November 25th, 1985, the fair's operator donated the locomotive to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo, California. In March 1996, the locomotive was restored to operating condition and began operating the museum's excursion trains. Currently, Southern Pacific Railroad #2353, is on display in the museum.
Southern Pacific Railroad #3873
Electro-Motive Division of General Motors GP9 Diesel-electric Locomotive
Southern Pacific Railroad #3873 is a GP9 Diesel-electric Locomotive built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors. It was built in February 1959 for the Southern Pacific Railroad subsidiary St. Louis Southwestern Railway (Cotton Belt). In 1997, the locomotive was acquired by the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum and was repainted into the Southern Pacific Railroad's "Black Widow" paint scheme. It was also lettered, Southern Pacific 3873 in compliance with the donation agreement. Currently, Southern Pacific Railroad #3873 is used for pulling the museum's excursion train in Campo, California.
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