First Excursions on Temporary Trackage

PLR News Release:
Whistles blew and throttles opened today on the Ponderosa Lines, as the first temporary trackage was opened for service. With only two restored passenger cars and a few freight cars for effect, the short trips provided a glimpse of the future for this upstart narrow gauge railroad in northern Arizona. Crews are now awaiting the summer season and the final withrawal of the snow here at 7,000 feet elevation. The PLR will one day reach Show Low to the east of Flagstaff, if all goes as planned. Revenue passengers -- mostly visitors to Flagstaff and Show Low -- will supplement some 21st century freight service on this long-abandoned 19th century right of way (fictitious). While relying on tourist dollars and overhauled narrow gauge equipment, PLR leaders envision landing a few contracts to haul small-growth timber from forest thinning efforts, and some local freight for new businesses related to windfarms and solar power. For now the train engineers and first passengers are enjoying a few short journeys out and back on PLR's first equipment (see photos below, click on photos for larger images.)

First Locomotive Conversion to Battery Power!

On the tail end of our first winter storm this season, I ventured south to Dewey, Arizona to make a return visit to Stan Cedarleaf's G-scale empire. He had his Christmas train running steadily on his Prescott Canyon Southern railroad while he converted my Bachmann steam locomotive to battery power. While the Baldwin ten-wheeler was in the "shop," I took a barrage of photos, in case he or I wish to show the process for conversion some time. For now, a few photos from the 2-hour procedure are below, including a shot of his railroad. If there was a surgeon for locomotives, Stan would be the one! All I could really do was watch and take photos while he conducted his "surgery" in the chilly afternoon. In the end he handed over my new throttle and let me give it a spin around his railroad. It runs well and is no longer dependent upon track power! I look forward to seeing this engine run on the Ponderosa Lines in 2010. (Click on photos for larger images.)

PLR Acquires first motive power, rolling stock

PLR News Release:

The fledgling narrow-gauge railroad museum and tourist line announced its first acquisition of equipment Tuesday, including its two first servicable locomotives purchased this summer. With the small company strapped for cash, the railroad's owner is celebrating these initial purchases as a way to get the first train rolling by next summer, 2010. The railway's first equipment consisted of a small diesel switcher (LGB) purchased from the overstocked White Pass & Yukon Route railway in Alaska, accompanied by a ten-wheeler steam locomotive with 4-6-0 wheel configuration. Both will be serviced and fitted for use in the PLR's inaugural year in 2010.

A surprise acquisition of used rolling stock occured last night, including a "bobber" logging caboose, wooden 30' flat car, and wood-sided gondola. Though needing some restoration and retrofitting, these first pieces of rolling stock will be repainted, re-wheeled, and converted for light freight and tourist passenger service.