Branchline Railfaning

[setxrailfan]

Yesterday was a great day to be out and about here in southeast Texas. Here are a few photos of what I saw.

Watco's Timber Rock Railroad "DeRidder Turn" at Kirbyville, TX tied down on the DeRidder Sub (ex-ATSF Oakdale Sub/ex-Jasper and Eastern Railroad) Note the AT&SF station signs that still exist on this branch. This is a real branch line...all 90lb rail for 38 miles except on the curves, they have larger rail down for those and a 10mph speed limit.

WAMX 4032 J&E Jct by Mark St. Aubin, on Flickr

WAMX 4032 J&E Jct by Mark St. Aubin, on Flickr

Boise Cascade Siding by Mark St. Aubin, on Flickr

Shear Siding by Mark St. Aubin, on Flickr

A little KCS action on the KCS Beaumont Sub at DeRidder, LA

KCS 4033 by Mark St. Aubin, on Flickr
KCS 337 stainless steel caboose on display at the restored KCS DeRidder, LA depot. Now the Beauregard Parish History Museum

KCS 337 by Mark St. Aubin, on Flickr

 

[stlgevo51]

Cool shots. What's the story with the caboose? Was it always stainless steel?

 

[setxrailfan]

Cool shots. What's the story with the caboose? Was it always stainless steel?

Thanks. Good question, I don't know much about this subject. Maybe someone else does.

 

[roee]

Nice pictures Mark. The caboose is odd for sure.

 

[UP 844]

That caboose is difinately different.

 

[setxrailfan]

Thanks guys.

Here's a little info I found regarding the cabooses:

http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=153&t=48999

KCS bought 42 from Darby Railcar from 1964 to 1970.

 

[KCSHogger]

Those cabooses were the last ones that the KCS ordered and were originally stainless steel.

 

[PEIR]

Interesting shots and cool caboose. It must of been a pricey option to go stainless and bright when the sunlight was shining on it.

 

[Smitty905]

Got a couple questions for you if you don't mind.

About how much action does this branch line see?

How close is it in relation to the KCS line?

Thanks, I tried googleMaps but the rail lines aren't labeled.

 

[setxrailfan]

Smitty,

Only one local turn from Kirbyville, TX to DeRidder, LA; 4 days a week.

The TIBR crosses the KCS Beaumont Sub at DeRidder, LA.

Try this link. The north/south line is the KCS. The east/west line is TIBR:
http://binged.it/rTJDlc

In the mid-1980's Santa Fe abandoned their main track between DeRidder Yd and Oakdale, LA.

 

[Smitty905]

Smitty,

Only one local turn from Kirbyville, TX to DeRidder, LA; 4 days a week.

The TIBR crosses the KCS Beaumont Sub at DeRidder, LA.

Try this link. The north/south line is the KCS. The east/west line is TIBR:
http://binged.it/rTJDlc

In the mid-1980's Santa Fe abandoned their main track between DeRidder Yd and Oakdale, LA.

Thanks for the info!