RY Models - GE 50 ton Owens Valley

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Update: June 15th, 2007

SP Narrow Gauge in Owens Valley

Mr Glenn Erickson is a very talented scratch builder. The photos below are of his SP Number #1. Affectionately called "The Little Giant". Glenn was kind enough to allow me to photograph his model so you have the opportunity to see what my new Narrow gauge project is all about. The prototype diesel was a 3' narrow gauge Locomotive. For modeling purposes Glenn chose to build his for On30.

The photos below are for size comparison. The Larger end cab model is a GE 70 ton diesel I imported a few years ago.

Here we have a GE 25 ton "O" scale model I imported in 2005 for comparison of size.

Update: May 19th, 2007

I am please to add to this web page photos taken by Mr John Shaw. Mr Shaw has taken the time to describe the events of the day that correspond with his visits to the Keeler branch of the SP Narrow Gauge railway in the Owens Valley of California.

Switching at Owenyo. Photo and commentary by John Shaw.
On our visit to the narrow gauge on Feb 22, 1960 we had made arrangements to ride the railroad in the caboose.. Several others had also arranged to ride, so the baggage car #12 was pulled out of storage so we all could ride comfortably. We went to Laws to pick up some loads which turned out to not be ready. Our train returned as it started, resulting in our own 'private" fan trip! The photo was taken at Owenyo upon our return. The structure to the right is the hotel.

High Line at Owenyo. Photo and commentary by John Shaw
Transferring concentrates from narrow gauge gondola cars to standard gauge gons using the "high line" at Owenyo. Locomotive #1 has spotted the cars on the transfer trestle over the standard gauge cars below. The men are opening the side doors on the cars. The various buildings that comprised Owenyo are in the distance. Photo taken Feb. 22, 1960.

Switching cars at Sierra Talc. Photo and Commentary by John Shaw.
The Sierra Talc Mill at Keeler, Feb. 22, 1960. Talc was loaded in narrow gauge box cars for the trip to Owenyo where it was transferred across the platform to standard gauge boxcars. At the time I took the photo I didn't notice the vehicle at the warehouse doorway. Always wondered what it was used for and how it came to be. Two months later, on April 29, the last train left Keeler.

Photo and commentary by John Shaw.
SP 4-6-0 #9 is at Owenyo, returning from Keeler with loads of talc. At the left is the station and order board. I am atop one of the narrow gauge boxcars (note the staff brake wheels). The platform for transferring freight from narrow to standard gauge cars is visible. Photo taken May 30, 1955.

Yard At Keeler
Photo and Commentary by John Shaw.
Another photo at Keeler on Feb. 22, 1960, showing what remained of the locomotive servicing facilities. At one time the steam locomotive shops were located here and minor repairs and servicing were accomplished. Major repairs necessitated shipping locomotives to the Bakersfield Shops. There are still a few car bodies at Keeler today, but it is mostly a ghost town. The station still stands as well.

SP Narrow Gauge in Owens Valley

This is the first of several historicially documented model projects that are being offered from RY Models.
The Diesel shown above was designed by GE for the SP Narrow Gauge Railway which operated in the Owens Valley of southern California. Known as the Keeler Branch, the rest of this story with permission, is told by Joe Dale Morris