Modesto and Empire Traction

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The 70-tonners may be gone. But, even if only because the owners take pride in running a railroad, the M&ET remains a blast from the past.

Some of these photos are from my 35mm and 6x7 black and white (bw) film cameras, some are color digitals, some are scanned slides and medium format transparencies.

As always; comments and corrections are, and new information is, always appreciated!

~Steve Sloan [e-mail me]

Modesto and Empire Traction Company

M&ET INDEX

Locomotives in the 600 series; Action and Roster

Click on the following links to see pictures related to the M&ET:

M&ET 600 class, GE 70-tonners

A 70-tonner at at Nathan Ave.
M&ET 70-tonner and Cross Buck at Nathan Ave. in Modesto, CA on January 19, 2009.

M&ET 600 GE 70-tonner

M&ET 600 70 Ton GE Builder's Number 29093 Built 1947 [Source]
M&ET 600 in Winter
My motor drives were burning black and white film on my last railfan excursion of 2008 It was a foggy day in Modesto, CA. I prefer black and white film on overcast days. Here, a 70 tonner set is working with 600 leading near Stanislaus Frozen Foods at Nathan Ave in Modesto, CA on December 30, 2008.
Set at Codoni Road
600-608-603 set at Codoni Road South January 19, 2009.
  • Photo of 600-608-603
    Scan from black & white neg: 2009020903.11

M&ET 601 GE 70-tonner

M&ET 601 70 Ton GE builder's number 30031 Built 1949 Retired 2009, to Mobil Grain Ltd [Source]
Hosteling move
601 near the south end of McClure on December 30, 2008. It was interesting seeing the SW1500 with two 70-tonners, even if it was just a hostling move.

M&ET 602 GE 70-tonner

602 70Ton GE builder's number 31278 Built 19452 Retired 2009, to Mobil Grain Ltd [Source]
Single engine move
In a rare single 70-tonner move, the 602 is captured at Codoni Road in Empire, California on December 30, 2008. The little GE is going to Valley Transload to do some work.
70 Tonners in Empire
70 tonners at BNSF yard in Empire on January 19, 2009.
  • Photo of 602 set in Empire
    Scan from black & white neg: 2009020902.7
70 Tonners on Nathan Ave.
M&ET 602-604-601 set at Nathan Avenue on January 19, 2009.
  • Photo of 602 set on Nathan Ave.
    Scan from black & white neg: 2009020903.27
  • Photo of 602-604-601 at Nathan Ave.
    Nikon D2Hs Digital Image: 2009011901.63
    • 70-tonners near Valley Transload
    M&ET 602-604-601 set near Valley Transload on January 19, 2009.

    M&ET 603 GE 70-tonner

    603 70Ton GE Serial Number 32279 Built 1955, ex Cherry River Boom & Lmbr #2, retired 2009, to Mobil Grain Ltd [Source]
    603 at Grade Crossing
    Last light at one of the many grade crossings of the Modesto and Empire Traction, on December 30, 2008.
    603 working in Empire
    Modesto and Empire Traction 603 working on a hot day in Empire on July 30, 2008.

    M&ET 605 GE 70-tonner

    605 70Ton GE builder's number 28511 Built in 1947 ex Southwestern Portland Cement #405, nee Southwestern Portland Cement (Mojave Northern) #5, retired 2009, to Mobil Grain Ltd [Source]
    605 near Spenker Ave. and Lapham Dr.
    M&ET 70-tonner 605 is on the east end of the 607-603-605 set with the engineer in the 607 and a switchman on the 605 near Spenker Ave. and Lapham Dr. in Modesto, CA on December 30, 2008.
    605 working near shops
    The 607-603-605 set has gone back to the shops at McClure in in Modesto, CA on December 30, 2008. It is shown here crossing the diamonds just south of the shops with the 605 facing the photographer. This is the only sun I saw that Winter day.

    M&ET 607 GE 70-tonner

    607 a 70Ton GE Builder's Number 31284 built in 1952 unit is ex Oregon, Pacific & Eastern #10; retired 2009, to Mobil Grain Ltd [Source]
    607 at work
    Some of these photos are from my 35mm black and white (bw) film cameras, some are color digitals. Personally, I prefer black and white film on overcast days. M&ET 70-tonner 605 is on the east end of the 607-603-605 set with the engineer in the 607 and a switchman on the 605 near Spenker Ave. and Lapham Dr. in Modesto, CA on December 30, 2008.

    The 607-603-605 set switches near 1814 Lapham Dr. in Modesto on December 30, 2008. HowK Systems and the Sno-White Drive-In are in the background on Yosemite Avenue.

    It's cut together, the 607-603-605 set goes around the curve heading toward Empire Ave. and the end of Lapham Drive in Modesto on December 30, 2008.
    More of 607 at work
    Even without the little GEs the railroad would be an interesting place to shoot. The whole railroad is a blast from the past. Some of these photos are from my 35mm B&W film cameras. I prefer black and white film on overcast days. These photos of the 607-603-605 set are on the west side of the railroad, Hyde St and Santa Rosa Ave. in Modesto. According to Lynn Powell, "Those 70-tonners are entering the Gallo Winery trackage."

    Of these photos Dave Stanley said in Oct. 2013, "Looks like an old friend, Al Shelton, at the throttle. He's an old (younger than me!) Sierra RR steam qualified guy. Been with the M&ET for years but still helps out at Jamestown. ".

    My M&ET Videos on YouTube

    M&ET GE 70-tonners at Work, Volume One
    A 70 tonner set picks up a cut of cars from the BNSF Interchange. On November 21, 2008 Modesto and Empire Traction 70 Tonners were hard at work between Empire and Modesto, California. These historic little General Electric locomotives are over 50-years old. Their days are numbered because their replacements were coming as these videos were shot.
    M&ET 70-tonners at Work, Volume Two
    The second in a series of videos on the M&ET. This one was shot near Stanislaus Foods at the Riverside Yard around Nathan Ave. On November 21, 2008 Modesto and Empire Traction 70 Tonners were hard at work between Modesto and Empire, California. These little General Electric locomotives are over 50-years old. Their days are numbered because their replacements were coming as these videos were shot.

    Related Links

    Click on the following links to see other posts related to this story:

    Modesto & Empire Traction Web Site
    The official Web site of the Modesto and Empire Traction Company.
    Trip to valley on Flickr
    On May 7, 2010 I took a trip to Tracy and Modesto via Vernalis.

    Special Thanks!

    To all the great folks who helped me out with information for these Web pages!