Seal Beach NWS

[erielackawanna]

Well, no one I asked had heard that the railroad was shutting down... BUT, and this is a big BUT, everyone I asked was probably associated with the ship, not with the station.

Here's another view.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=250012

[jeff]

Well... it looks like a certain photographer got to stay late. Did you happen to get an extended tour ?? When I drove by earlier in the day that parking lot was completely FULL. And the shadows tell tales of a late stay on ship.

Excellent perspective Charles.

Could you add this (and others from your visits) as an attachment to the thread.

Pretty Please ??

~ jeff

[erielackawanna]

Sure... but I can't promise for a couple days. I have to update the Flckr sites for both kids soccer teams (and edit those hundred frames each first).

As to that image... what I did was go back at about 1:30 PM (closing time) on Sunday, and then got on line for the tour. Two hours or so later, I was one of the very last people allowed on the boat. I waited on the front deck until I was of of the last people in line to go upstairs, so that by the time I got to the flying bridge, the front deck was empty (hence the shot). Believe it or not, desolate as that shot looks, where I was standing was still packed like sardines.


As an aside, a friend reported that by Monday morning all evidence of the train was gone.

[jeff]

Just ran across this pic from June of 2002. From Coast Hwy looking towards Rossmoor.

I may have posted this before, but add it here regardless. The locomotives were nowhere in sight. I was able to get on base this day for a Marine Recruit activity, about a week before my son left for boot camp.

(BTW, Jon will be stateside next week)

~ jeff

[erielackawanna]

jeff Wrote:Well... it looks like a certain photographer got to stay late. Did you happen to get an extended tour ?? When I drove by earlier in the day that parking lot was completely FULL. And the shadows tell tales of a late stay on ship.

Excellent perspective Charles.

Could you add this (and others from your visits) as an attachment to the thread.

Pretty Please ??

~ jeff

Sorry this took so long... Okay, here are some images to share.

[erielackawanna]

The little80 tonnerthat could.

[erielackawanna]

A longer view.

[erielackawanna]

And the shot that I really worked hard for (and got really sun burned for). I waited until the last person in line, and got behind them, so I could get this view without lens lice.

[chris_wlkr]

Looks like the rumor was true...

Quote:[b]End of Rail System at Seal Beach to Save Money, Increase Environmental Benefits



By Lori Bero, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Public Affairs

SEAL BEACH, Calif. (NNS) -- The Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Seal Beach locomotive took one of its last drives through the base Jan. 29 as a part of a decision which will reduce the facilities transportation costs, increase efficiency and provide several environmental benefits.

"Things come and things go," said Navy Munitions Command, CONUS West Division (NMCCWD), Det. Seal Beach Locomotive Operator and Materials Handler Raymond Chavez. "The rail system has been a part of history here at the weapons station. It is sad to see it leave, but the farewell has been a good one."

The decision to suspend locomotive operations was made in 2008, shifting the transportation of ordnance on the base from a rail and truck operation to an all-truck operation.

A study and year-long trial determined an all tractor/trailer operation would save $368,000 per year, and provide a more efficient and environmentally-friendly method of moving ordnance than the rail system with no negative effect on supporting the fleet.

Click link for remainder of the story.

Chris[/b]

[Holloran Grade]

To bad, they should have replaced the locos with some Brant trucks and replaced the box cars with some old well car sets.:omg: