The Waiting Game ~ Yreka Western Railroad

by Regis Cordic

Photographing trains in action can often be a vexatious waiting game. Patience is the key word. It is long hours at trackside camera poised, ears cocked for the distant rumble of the charging Hot Shot or the low-pitched struggle of a tonnage drag. A far off horn intoning the familiar crossing warning, the sudden flashing of an oscillating headlight and the wait is suddenly worthwhile.

Interesting choice of words mark the switchstand for the derail near Southern Pacific's abandoned depot near Palm Springs, California.

The question still remains: What to do in the meantime?

If the weather is clement, it is a dandy time to darken your suntan. Throw a few rocks in the creek. Count the ties if you like.

More rewarding, however, is to check the surrounding real estate for interesting railroad still-lifes: pieces of stationary rolling stock, structures or devices that are out-of-the-ordinary. Some are downright bizarre. I have found most photo locations replete with curios, many of which will eventually find their way onto my model railroad. If the whole idea cannot be reproduced, maybe the mere flavor of the scene can be of help in capturing a bit of that railroady mood that we all look for.

You might spark a kit modification project, a different-looking worn paint surface, an appealing cut or fill or natural scenic arrangement.

The photo is an infallible reminder of those tiny details that it is so easy to forget. Perhaps some of my "Waiting For The Train" photos will provide a few detail elements for use on your road. Hopefully, they will suggest a way for you to brighten the hours of "The Waiting Game" the next time you head for the hills to capture on film the action (or lack of it) on your favorite railroad.

Antique trucks on an off-the-roster Y-W flat car. Not a speck of paint on the body indicates years of disuse. Check the detail on those stake-pockets! Ties are almost invisible among the earth and debris.

Interesting choice of words mark the switchstand for the derail near Southern Pacific's abandoned depot near Palm Springs, Calif.

Former G.N. ore car has been modified for ballast service on Northern California's eleven-mile Yreka Western. The car side sports two different G.N. numbers (85447 and 74531) beneath coats of peeling paint. No Y-W lettering. 

A closer look at details and old-time truck on Y-W ballast car. Can anyone identify this unique model? Light rails and partially buried ties indicate secondary trackage.

Who wrecked the wrecker? On the shop track at Glenwood, PA, in 1970, B&O X47 awaits repairs to severely damaged cab and superstructure. Mud marks indicate it might have been victim of a roll-over while doing some heavy lifting. Good way to display a kit that didn't come out right.

At Keddie Wye, Western Pacific water car passes time near the twin water towers. Peeling paint nearly obliterates "MW" identification and "For Water Use Only" markings.

Yreka Western box car resembles a plastic model that got too close to a photography lamp. Other than the bulge in the roof and the concave sides, everything else seemed to be in good shape. Another roll-over?

B&O Baldwin 9276 awkwardly sits on shop trucks while awaiting its turn at the Glenwood facilities, looking like a kit that was hastily flung together with parts from the scrap box.  

Somewhat removed from the Y.W main line near Yreka, California, this interesting loading structure represents the epitome of weathered lumber. Built on a hillside, it was, obviously, used at one time for loading wagons or railroad cars. Now, it is gradually falling apart.

Peeking out like a locked up puppy, Quincy Railroad switcher spends Saturday afternoon in her specially-built "dog house" at the Quincy, California, yard near Keddie. High door and padlock keep out the curious-or prevent the engine from wandering.

This article was originally published in the February, 1979 issue of the NMRA (National Model Railroad Association) Bulletin. Copyright © 1979, Rege Cordic and the NMRA. Article(s) courtesy of (and reprinted with permission from) the A. C. Kalmbach Memorial Library, National Model Railroad Association. Click here to visit the NMRA.