Toledo Hauler does it still run?

[Anonymous]

I'm a British modeller living in Britain and thinking about building a model railroad based on SP operations between Albany and Toledo. My wife bought me a book "Backwoods Railroads of Western Oregon" and I am increasingly confident that I can build a layout that represents that line. I am, however, 8000miles away and could do with a local contact who gets to see the railroad.
So does the Toledo Hauler still run, and if so what kind of loco's and stock normally run on the line?

[Anonymous]

Well, I live in California, so I am a little closer and I think I might be able to help you with your question. If you wanted to model present day operations, you would have to model the Portland and Western railroad whch took over operations on much of SP's branches in '93. The Portland and Western still runs the Toledo Hauler to the Georga Pacific paper mill. In Toledo, a small switcher is stationed to switch the large plant. If you want to find more information about all of the train movements over the P&W go here: http://members.trainorders.com/dan.sheets/Schedule/schedule.html
It will tell you all of the normal power for their trains as well as their normal switching moves. Hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

Godfather?
Thanks for the info', do you know who owns the timber mill at Toledo? They might have a website or e-mail address that I can access for further information.
Malc

[Anonymous]

What's the Normal Power?

DOGGY

[Anonymous]

The paper mill is owned by Georgia Pacific, ad that is pretty much the only reason the branch is still in existence. As for daily power, usually four to five ex Santa Fe GP39-2's are lashed up to pull the wood chip gons over the hills. In Toledo, there is a SW1500 used to switch the plant and a GP owned 45 ton side-rod switcher. In SP days, you could find as many as 7 SD9E's pulling the hauler. I recomend the book in my signature for some great pictures of the area.