WCTU Railway
Encyclopedia
The WCTU Railway is a 13 miles (20.9 km) shortline railroad
that connects White City, Oregon
, United States
to a junction north of Medford with the Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad
, which hauls its cars to the Union Pacific Railroad
at Eugene or Weed. The line began operations in November 1954 on an abandoned Southern Pacific Transportation Company right-of-way as the White City Terminal and Utility Company, and was renamed after the Union Tank Car Company
bought it in 1974. Railserve, Inc., a subdiary of the Union Tank Car Company, now owns the WCTU Railway.
Around 2000, WCTU acquired the engine RSS
SW1200
#82 (formerly RF&P
82). After waiting for about a year before it was ready for service, it became the No. 1 power, with #5119 as back-up, while the 5117 was basically out of service. About 2004 they got another SW1200 engine, the 1503. Now WCTU uses one unit for a month, then swaps units. The 5119 is still operable, but the 5117 needs work.
Shortline railroad
A shortline railroad is a small or mid-sized railroad company that operates over a relatively short distance relative to larger, national railroad networks. The term is used primarily in the USA and Canada...
that connects White City, Oregon
White City, Oregon
White City is an unincorporated community in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined White City as a census-designated place . The census definition of the area may not precisely correspond to local understanding of the area with...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to a junction north of Medford with the Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad
Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad
The Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad is a Class II railroad operating between Northern California and Eugene, Oregon, United States. It was previously a mainline owned by the Southern Pacific Railroad between Eugene and Weed, California via Medford, Oregon...
, which hauls its cars to the Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
at Eugene or Weed. The line began operations in November 1954 on an abandoned Southern Pacific Transportation Company right-of-way as the White City Terminal and Utility Company, and was renamed after the Union Tank Car Company
Union Tank Car Company
Union Tank Car Company or UTLX is a railway equipment leasing company headquartered in metro Chicago, Illinois. As the name says, they specialise in tank cars, and covered hopper cars.Founded in 1866 by J. J...
bought it in 1974. Railserve, Inc., a subdiary of the Union Tank Car Company, now owns the WCTU Railway.
Around 2000, WCTU acquired the engine RSS
Rochester Subway
The Rochester Subway or Rochester Industrial and Rapid Transit Railway was an underground rapid transit line in the city of Rochester, New York from 1927 to 1956. Contemporary photos show it used single streetcars, like Boston's Green Line, as a light rail line, with a large portion underground...
SW1200
EMD SW1200
An EMD SW1200 is a diesel switcher locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between January 1954 and May 1966. Power was provided by an EMD 567C 12-cylinder engine which generated 1200 horsepower...
#82 (formerly RF&P
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad
The Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad was a railroad connecting Richmond, Virginia, to Washington, D.C. It is now a portion of the CSX Transportation system....
82). After waiting for about a year before it was ready for service, it became the No. 1 power, with #5119 as back-up, while the 5117 was basically out of service. About 2004 they got another SW1200 engine, the 1503. Now WCTU uses one unit for a month, then swaps units. The 5119 is still operable, but the 5117 needs work.