FanPix for March, 2003

I've always had a preference for shortline operations, so the Washington Central — which ran through the middle of my hometown of Kennewick, WA — was a natural target. One of the most colorful trains on the line was the YPT, a transfer job that ran from Yakima, WA to the BN's yard in Pasco, WA with the interchange traffic from the railroad. This train typically ran under cover of darkness with a pair of GP-38's and one or two other locomotives as needed. On this occasion, though, the GP-38's were in use on the Wheeler Branch, where the sugar beet harvest was in full swing. During sugar beet harvest, the YPT consists got much more interesting. Leading the train are GP-9 302 (in Spirit of Washington livery), SW-1200 212, GP-9 301, and CF-7's 402 and 401. The train is pausing near the Fruitland St. crossing in Kennewick to pick up a cut of military equipment destined for the Army training center in Pomona, WA. Photo by Jody Moore. c. 1990.