Re: PS,DY&P - An almost forgotten (but still truckin') 24" 'Industrial' RR

Per Old #5 (aka the John S.) with whom I spoke earlier today, the PS,DY&P still exists, although following the death of patriarch K. B. Hall a few years ago and the subsequent sale of the "north twenty" (which was mostly planted in almonds, not apricots) the daydream of someday extending the rails to the Pacific and shipping dried fruit to eastern markets directly via Clippers moored at the long pier in Ventura has been abandoned and the railroad reorganized as the 'Pitting Shed & Southwestern' under the receivership of a consortium of wild-eyed foamers from California.

The ancient trees — now well over 100 years old — continue to produce fruit most years.  They just finished their blossoming cycle, and if the current damp weather doesn't prevent the fruit from setting then this year's abundant rainfall should ensure a juicy crop.  As is always the case, whether or not the PS,DY&P PS&DY is active at all, and whether or not the southwestern extension of 24" gauge wooden rails to the far side of the drying yard is re-established, depends of the abundance of the crop — always difficult to predict.

Sadly, John also reported the recent passing of Reuben Bouvet, often leased as a backup loco for the harvests during the early 1970s.  Old #8, purchased around the same time, is intact in nearby Ventura, but is unable to build up a full head of steam and can barely move out of the engine house without assistance.  Remark­ably, all seven of the original Hall locomotives — Peter, Mathew, Mark, Luke, John, Andrew & Thomas — continue to thrive, although only #3, #5 and #7 have been seen at the ranch in recent years.  Even more remarkable, both the tinder-dry barn and the sulfur shed escaped the notorious Thomas Fire a few years ago, although the latter has since collapsed during a strong wind.

- Sincerely, Willie  (Wm. Claude Johnson-Barr III, Esq.)  
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/01/2024 04:29PM by Johnson Barr.