Southern Pacific #18 update – June 2018


As is often the case with the CCRW, work weekends in the summer months are usually few and far between. One recent work day had boxcar #6 move to its new display site in Dehy Park. After literally dozens of boxcar moves over the past decades the CCRW has gotten very good at moving these cars, this one taking only half a day to accomplish. With #6 now at its final location it can be lettered and the remainder of the display can be set up around it.

Looking ahead to other upcoming projects, our restoration boxcar #15 will be placed on trucks and moved inside the engine house for future work, track and museum site work will be ongoing, and finally work on buttoning up the smokebox and some other odds and ends on the #18 will be on the docket in the near future as well in preparation for our October 5-6th operations. Make your plans now to join us! As always, thank you for your continued support!

Southern Pacific #18 update – April and May 2018

Late March was a busy time in Independence. The FRA inspector was in town to do the annual inspection on #18. A hydro test was performed and all went well. We have only a handful of things remaining before we are ready to operate the #18, which will next be on October 5-6, 2018.

In other work we laid a lot of track!There is now approximately 500 feet of track in place including a completed switch for our engine house lead. Our 1943 Plymouth switcher (ex. Apache Powder Co.)made multiple trips up and back hauling track tools and components as well as a few passengers. Next up for track work will be completing the ballasting and eventually adding a second switch with track heading north east towards the main museum building.

Also accomplished was painting and cleaning out of a good portion of boxcar #6 in preparation for its journey to Dehy Park and display. In the coming months the car will be moved and our new boxcar #15 will be placed on trucks.

Lastly it is with sadness that we must announce that Lynn “Ma” Cromer is stepping down as secretary. Lynn has been with us for well over a decade and will be sorely missed. She will be hard to replace.

As always, thanks for the support!