In this ever changing world (branch lines replacing SP on the Siskiyou branch south of Eugene and UP merging with SP), it was a pleasant surprise to still see semaphores all the way from Eugene to Weed, California. Central Oregon and Pacific (CORP) was running very light traffic over the ex-SP line. Area media had reported that the branch line operation had caused a number of track side fires to the extent that the California Fire Protection branch had laid 13 CRIMINAL charges including 'maintaining a public nuisance and negligently starting fires'.

We have stayed in Dunsmuir many times over the years at a very friendly motel called the Cave Springs, which is located just north of the town centre. The motel is on a cliff side overlooking Mount Shasta to the north and the main line of UP/SP in the canyon just below. The grade up Canterra loop normally uses helpers out of Dunsmuir. But on this trip there was a noticeable lack of traffic. Although there was considerable MOW equipment operating during daylight hours on two sections of the mainline between Klamath Falls and Dunsmuir, there wasn't much traffic in the overnight hours. All trains seen going north up the grade from Dunsmuir were without helpers as the loads were a lot lighter than in previous visits.

Another regular highlight is visiting Railroad Park just south of Dunsmuir on I-5. Bill, the owner, recently passed away but his family has continued to add to the site. In addition to coaches being used as a restaurant and bar, they have built up a substantial collection of cabooses converted to motel 'rooms'. There's at least 15 cabooses now on the property including SP bay windows in addition to the normal cupola types. You can also camp or hook up your RV on site. But the real highlight is the handmade model of a 1920's SP passenger train on the wall behind the bar. It's about three times the size of a G scale train-set. The family has apparently turned down an offer of $50,000 for the set.!! It's a one-of-a-kind hand built by a local craftsman many years ago and the detail is unbelievable. If you're passing through Dunsmuir on a summer afternoon, pop in for a beer and take a good look at this masterpiece in addition to other historical artifacts Bill has collected over the years.

The town of Dunsmuir itself is going through a revitalization. A number of Bay area folks have moved to Dunsmuir to open businesses there. There is still a 1930's theatre called 'The California' on the main street that has been refurbished and still shows movies. I'm not a member of the Dunsmuir Chamber of Commerce, but spend a couple of hours there and you will still get transported back in time in a town that was basically put on the map by being a division point for the Southern Pacific.