LEGENDARY ALCOS LIVE
Apache’s Last Stand
BY BEN KLETZER/PHOTOS BY THE AUTHOR I
N THE ANNALS OF WESTERN railroad- ing, Arizona short line Apache Rail- way is a standout. The Apache may not be the most scenic line, nor the longest, but its motive power and train operations made it one of the most in- teresting. Long known as a stronghold for Alco power, hardworking Centuries hauled heavy freight across the desert day in and day out for more than 40 years
after the Schenectady works
closed its doors in 1969. In contrast to most remaining Alco operations in the United States, the Apache locomotives are spotless, all wear matching green and white paint, and are impeccably maintained. These were no museum pieces. Five days a week these Alcos could be seen tackling the stiff grades of the Apache Railway. Freight trains of 30 cars or more plus the weekly massive coal drags destined for the paper mill at
42 SEPTEMBER 2013 •
RAILFAN.COM
Snowflake made for a busy railroad. The sight of six shiny Alcos diesels hauling 8100 tons of coal across the high desert was one that no railfan could soon forget. I first discovered the Apache Railway as a teenager perusing through old is- sues of RAILFAN, and for years I had wanted to photograph this unique oper- ation. In 2010, I finally had my chance, travelling with fellow railfan Drew Jacksich to chase the Apache Alcos across the desert for three days. Anoth- er trip to see the Apache Railway was made in May 2012 as part of chasing Santa Fe 3751’s Grand Canyon Limit- ed excursion.
Railroad owner Catalyst Paper an- nounced the closure of their Snowflake paper mill in July 2012, and many as- sumed the short line would shut down soon after. I was back in Arizona the next month chasing what could have
TOP LEFT: The Apache Railway was always known as an outpost for big Alco power in the West. Apache Railway C424 No. 99 darkens the sky with characteristic Alco smoke as it en- ters Elkins Ranch with the daily southbound train. The high desert of Arizona is prime ranch land, and the Apache Railway crosses several ranches, many that predate the railway itself. ABOVE: On August 29, 2012, a trio of Apache Alcos throttle up through the sweep- ing curve at Milepost 33. The topography of Arizona lends itself well to photographing wide open vistas such as this scene. RIGHT: With the tail of its train crossing the Little Colorado River, Apache Railway No. 99 throttles up to track speed outside the yard limits on a sunny August 4, 2010. The varied make-up of this train shows the valuable service the Apache Railway provided to both Catalyst Paper and the PFFJ pig farm.
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