The Northwestern Pacific Railroad, one of the northern California's historic entities, still survived as a Southern Pacific subsidiary in the early 1990s. Venerable SD-9 diesels built in the mid 1950s still powered through trains. Six days a week, you could still see trains traveling the 156-mile line from Suisun City to Willits. Lumber was still the chief commodity hauled by the railroad, as it had been for years. Much of the traffic originated in Eureka on the North Coast Railroad (formerly the Eureka Southern). The NWP interchanged with the North Coast Railroad in Willits, forwarding the train to the Southern Pacific at Suisun City. Petaluma was the NWP's base of operations. "Sprint Trains" and their crews originated here, running both north and south on the line. For several years, trains that negotiated the scenic north end of the line had been run only at night. In this affectionate showcase, Pentrex captures the Northwestern Pacific over a three year period, and through the changing seasons. In 1992, NWP trains ran the Willits to Petaluma route during daylight hours, providing us with a rare look at the exciting terrain the train normally passes through during nighttime hours. The operations of the Eureka Southern and the newly-formed North Coast Railroad are briefly featured as well. During its first few months, the North Coast Railroad leased NWP diesels, recreating the days when the Northwestern Pacific still owned the line from Willits to Eureka. The NWP is well-loved and well-remembered. Join Pentrex now for an endearing and fascinating look at operations along the Northwestern Pacific Railroad in the early 1990s. 1 Hour 50 Minutes |
| Also available in DVD; see Order Code TNWP-DVD P.O. Box 94911 Pasadena, CA 91109-4911 |