Western Pacific Railroad Historical Society-The Headlight

The Headlight

The WPRRHS produces and distributes the FRRS's historical journal, The Headlight, on a loose quarterly schedule. Founded in 1990, The Headlight serves to provide information to WP enthusiasts and modelers on the operations, equipment, history, facilities, events and people that made the WP such a unique and interesting railroad. Through the pages of The Headlight, fans of all ages can experience the rich and colorful history of the WP - a railroad which in spite of losing her corporate identity over 25 years ago, still maintains a passionate, devoted and enthusiastic following even to this day.

The Headlight is provided as a member benefit for all FRRS and WPRRHS members (except FRRS Associate members) and is also available from many higher quality hobby shops. Back issues can also be ordered from the Western Pacific Railroad Museum gift shop.

Help us make YOUR magazine better!

The Headlight is a 100% volunteer effort and the staff always welcomes Western Pacific and related ideas, material and articles for publication. If you have a potential article of interest please contact The Headlight Editor, Dave Pires, for information and submission guidelines. You do not have to be a writer or have experience preparing articles for publication. We will help you polish up the information if needed to produce a final piece in the magazine. Please contact Dave Pires at

We are also seeking material and information on the following specific topics for both this web site and for future Headlight articles that are in-progress. If you have something you can contribute, credit in the article or on the site will be provided. Please help us by contacting the person listed if you have something to contribute.

Western Pacific Article Material Want List
Subject	For	Material Needed	Contact
WP Standards	Site	Drawings and Data of WP Standardized infrastructure	Mike Mucklin

WP Business Car 101	Both	Photographs (any era/ownership), information, stories, etc.	Mike Mucklin

WP cabooses	Headlight	Photographs, drawings, information, stories, etc. related to both wood and steel WP, SN, TS and/or CCT cabooses	Mike Mucklin

Sacramento-Jeffrey Shops	Headlight	Photographs, drawings, information, stories, etc.	John Walker

WP advertisements	Site	Scans of Western Pacific/California Zephyr print ads	Mike Mucklin

All-Time Index of The Headlight (newest to oldest)
	Issue 34 The Final Years of the Silver Lady, John Mummert CZ Car Diagrams Photo Tour of the CZ, Bob Larson CZ "San Francisco Cable Car" Menu Cover
	Issue 33 Railroading's Future, Alfred E. Perlman addresses the Economic Club of Chicago May 15, 1962 WPRRHS 2007 Livermore Convention Photos, Mike Mucklin Western Pacific's San Jose Branch - Part 2, Norman Holmes Kitbashing Western Pacific's Shorty Steel Gondolas in HO Scale, Pete Solyom and Dave Pires Folio Drawings, ALCo S-2, EMD NW2, EMD GP7
	Issue 32 Western Pacific's San Jose Branch - Part 1, Norman Holmes Trans-Continental Freight Bureau - Instructions to Weighmasters (Reprint from June 1955) An Outhouse for your Layout, Norman Holmes WP Outhouse Drawing, Jim Halliwell Portrait of the Feather (WP Photo Gallery)
	Issue 31 Sacramento Northern's Chico Depots, Kent Stephens Nell Brown's Railroad Career with the Western Pacific, as told by Nell Brown Heavyweight WP Passenger Car Drawings The Thirsty Giants & Their Quest for Water - Part 2, Virgil C. Staff
	Issue 30 The Thirsty Giants & Their Quest for Water 1910-1953 - Part 1, Virgil C. Staff Western Pacific's Mill Gondolas, Garth G. Groff Portrait of the Feather - SN Diesel Photos by George Manley WPRRHS 2006 Chico Convention Photos, Mike Mucklin New Product Observations, Thom Anderson, Mark McLeod and Mike Stokinger
	Issue 29 Sacramento Northern Issue - Part 2 The Self-Propelled Era on the Sacramento Northern, Tom Irion Derailment at Haggin, Dave Stanley SN 1632 Caboose, Jim Halliwell 1/60th Scale Drawings of SN 1632 Caboose, Jim Halliwell
	Issue 28 Sacramento Northern Issue - Part 1 A Brief History of the Sacramento Northern, Garth G. Groff Modeling the Sacramento Northern, Charles Smiley
	Issue 27 Western Pacific Steel Caboose 452 - Prototype for the S-2 Caboose Overhaul Program, Mike Mucklin WPRRHS 2005 Tracy Convention Photos, Mike Mucklin Steam Train Helpers - Part 3, Virgil C. Staff Mexican Laborers, Al Evans Bad Timing, Al Evans
	Issue 26 Steam Train Helpers - Part 2, Virgil C. Staff United States Gypsum Railroad at Gerlach, Nevada, Norman W. Holmes Western Pacific Standard Forms Fire in the Hole, All Evans
	Issue 25 Steam Train Helpers - Part 1, Virgil C. Staff General Electric U23B Diesels - Part 2, The Super 7s, Kent Stephens Dispatching Trains on the Western Pacific - Part 4, Introduction by Kent Stephens Motor Extra 830 West, Peter Josserand (Reprinted from the March 1945 issue of Railroad Magazine) On the Property - WP Transco Class XML Box Car No. 19901, Dave Pires
	Issue 24 Western Pacific's EMD SW1500 Trio, Frank Brehm and Thom Anderson WP SW1500 vs. Peterbilt, Al Fonseca Street Running in San Francisco, Dave Stanley Modeling Western Pacifics's SW1500 in HO Scale, John Wilson 2004 WPRRHS Reno Convention Report, Staff Portrait of the Feather (WP Photo Gallery)
	Issue 23 Western Pacific's Coal Territory 1910-1950, Virgil C. Staff WP Derrick Gondola WPMW 37-1, Steven Bechtold Western Pacific Diesel Servicing, Reprint from a 1948 Baldwin Locomotive Works Magazine 1940 Baldwin Diesel Advertisement, Reprinted from a 1948 issue of Railway Mechanical Engineer Portrait of the Feather (WP Photo Gallery)
	Issue 22 Remembering Pete Solyom, Thom Anderson Remember When - WP Was the Last F-Unit Road in California, John Ryczkowski Modeling a WP 65' Mill Gondola in HO Scale, Dave Pires Western Pacific Book Reviews, Norman Holmes WP Rolling Stock Gallery - Derricks WPMW 27 and 37, Thom Anderson Portrait of the Feather (WP Photo Gallery)
	Issue 21 Construction and Maintenance on Western Pacific's Western Division 1910-1930, Virgil C. Staff More on the Clover Valley Lumber Company, Kent Stephens Williams Loop Diagram
	Issue 20 General Electric U23B Diesels, Kent Stephens Modeling a WP U23B in HO SCale - Part 2, Robert H. Tarbox On the Property - WP FP7 805-A, Staff Western Pacific U23B Wrecks, Staff Portrait of the Feather (WP Photo Gallery)
	Issue 19 Clover Valley Lumber Company, Tom Moungovan On the Property - Covered Hopper WPMW 0196 Modeling a WP U23B in HO Scale - Part 1, Robert H. Tarbox Rolling Stock Photo Gallery - Depressed Center Flat Cars 1601-1602 Through the Sacramento Valley - 2002 WPRRHS Yuba City Convention Report, Mike Mucklin
	Issue 18 California Zephyr 50th Annuversary Issue - Part 2 Modeling the CZ, Bruce Conklin California Zephyr Passenger Car Roster, Frank Brehm Steam Generator Cars, Frank Brehm Baggage Cars, Frank Brehm Vista Dome Coach, Frank Brehm California Zephyr Consists, Frank Brehm Vista Dome Buffet-Lounge, Frank BrehmDining Cars, Frank Brehm 6-5 Sleeper, Frank Brehm 10-6 Sleeper, Frank Brehm 16 Section Sleeper, Frank Brehm Vista Dome Buffet-Lounge-Observation, Frank Brehm On the Property - California Zephyr Vista Dome Buffet-Dormitory-Lounge car Silver Hostel CZ Brochures, John Walker
	Issue 17 California Zephyr 50th Annuversary Issue - Part 1 WPRRHS Remembers Harry "Hap" Manit The California Zephyr, Frank Brehm Last Call for Dinner, Reprint from WP company magazine Mileposts, September 1950 On the Property - Western Pacific FP7A 805A, Frank Brehm WP's Unique No-Brush Train Washer in Portola, California, Frank Brehm Portrait of the Feather (WP Photo Gallery) Issue 18 California Zephyr Issue - Part 2
	Issue 16 WPRRHS Remembers David Cox, Staff Dispatching Trains on the Western Pacific, Introduction by Kent Stephens Beanery Blockade, Peter Josserand (Reprinted from the August 1947 issue of Railroad Magazine) Assorted Reprinted Stories from Western Pacific Mileposts 1998 WPRRHS Stockton Convention Report, Staff Western Pacific Model Report, Pete Solyom First Generation Diesels on the Western Pacific (Photo feature) On the Property - Western Pacific GP9 731, Mike Mucklin Portrait of the Feather (WP Photo Gallery)
	Issue 15 The Perlman Years - An Introduction, John Walker Western Pacific Rides High in the New Perlman Era, Joe Asher - Reprinted from the December 27, 1971 issue of Railway Age A Familiar Face Revives the Western Pacific, Reprinted from the April 8, 1972 issue of Business Week Merchandising Western Pacific, Introduction by John Walker 1997 WPRRHS Oroville Convention Report, John Walker with Mike Mucklin and Robert Forren Western Pacific Model Report, Pete Solyom On the Property - Western Pacific GP20 2001, Thom Anderson WP Freight Schedules and Blocking Assignments as of May 25, 1973 Portrait of the Feather (WP Photo Gallery)
	Issue 14 Western Pacific's Oroville Line Relocation, Kent Stephens WP Opens New Line, Reprint from Railway Age Weekly, November 5, 1962 Feather River Railway - Casualty of the Oroville Dam, Kent Stephens WP Stock Car in HO Scale, Michael Starkey Western Pacific Model Report, Pete Solyom WP R-30-12 Reefer in HO Scale, Michael Starkey Modeling WP SW9s - Part 2, Thom Anderson On the Property - SN 44 tonner 146, Bill Shippen Portrait of the Feather (WP Photo Gallery)
	Issue 13 Oro Dam Constructors Railroad, Kent Stephens Western Pacific SW9s, Thom Anderson Modeling WP SW9s - Part 1, Pete Solyom Western Pacific Model Report, Pete Solyom On the Property - WP Steel Cabooses 484, Staff On-Duty with WP's SW9s, Interview with WP Engineer Kirk Baer Portrait of the Feather (WP Photo Gallery)
	Issue 12 Burlington Northern Pool Power on the WP, John Walker Introduction to Peter Jossernad's Series, Kent Stephens Taming the Canyon, Peter Josserand (Reprinted from the November 1946 issue of Railroad Magazine) Then & Now on the Western Pacific - James, California Western Pacific Model Report, Pete Solyom Report on the Sixth Annual Western Prototype Modelers Meet, Pete Solyom On the Property - WP GP7 707, Pete Solyom Western Pacific Recreational Vehicle Carrier in HO Scale, Dave Pires Portrait of the Feather (WP Photo Gallery)
	Issue 11 A Look Back at Western Pacific's Employee Magazines The Headlight and Mileposts, John Ryczkowski Western Pacific in the Air - Western Pacific Airlines Introduction to the Josserand Article Series, Kent Stephens Western Pacific 50' Single-Sheathed Automobile Box Cars, John Ryczkowski Modeling Western Pacific 50' Single-Sheathed Automobile Box Cars, Page Porter The Old Dispatcher's Story, Peter Josserand (Reprinted from the October 1937 issue of Railroad Magazine) Mountain Dispatcher, Peter Josserand (Reprinted from the April 1944 issue of Railroad Magazine) Delivering Train Orders by Telegraph During the Era Before CTC and Two-Way Radio, Kent Stephens with Norman Holmes
	Issue 10 Modeling WP GP35s, Kerry Pierce WP Beer Cars, John Ryczkowski Assorted reprints from WP company magazines The Headlight and Mileposts Head On!, Norman Holmes Western Pacific Model Report, Pete Solyom Shafter, Nevada 1947, Bruce L. Battles WP Colors in Model Paints, Staff Just Over 10 Years Ago, Staff Western Pacific Decals, Staff
	Issue 9 Ten Year Merger Anniversary and Motive Power Review Uncle Pete Plucks the Feather, Staff The Western Pacific 1903-1983 - A Brief History, WPRR and Headlight Staff Steel Rails on Old Trails, Reprint from WP company magazine The Headlight, January 1946 Post-Merger Locomotive Notes, Don Strack WP Steam Locomotive Roster, Staff Western Pacific System Map WP Diesel Locomotive Roster, Staff Preserved WP Locomotives
	Issue 8 Take a Ride on the Sperry, Chris Skow Western Pacific GP35s, Larry Hanlon Modeling WP ex-Milwaukee 40' Rib Side Box Cars, Peter Arnold Western Pacific Model Report, Pete Solyom
	Issue 7 FT History/Overview, Larry Hanlon WP FT Roster, Staff Horsepower vs. Tractive Effort, Reprint from WP company magazine The Headlight, January 1942 In War, Peace, Diesels Do Job on WPRR, Reprint from WP company magazine The Headlight, January 1947 Life on a Battleship, Bob Larson More Power Pulls Today's Freights, Mileposts Reprint WP FT Folio Drawing Fold-Out EMD FT General Arrangement Drawings Western Pacific FT Paint Schemes, Staff WP FT Pictorial Roster - 901-912, Staff FT Mishap Photos
	Issue 6 The Budd Cars are Rolling, Mileposts Reprint Morrison-Knudsen GP35 and GP40 Remanufacturing - Part 2, Norman Anderson Modeling Western Pacific "Gould Standard" Wood Cupola Cabooses, John Ryczkowski Assorted reprints from WP company magazine The Headlight Modeling the Western Pacific GP40-2s, Pete Solyom, Tom Bacarella with Dave Hussey Western Pacific Freight Cars circa 1970, Don DeLay Western Pacific Model Report, Pete Solyom
	Issue 5 The Reno Branch, John Ryczkowski 9001 Series 70 Ton Mill Gondolas, John Ryczkowski The Charles O. Sweetwood Story, Mileposts Reprint Feather River Route Standard - Standard Tool House 1929-30 Western Pacific GP40s Update, Larry Hanlon Morrison-Knudsen GP35 and GP40 Remanufacturing - Part 1, Norman Anderson Easy to Model WP Freight Cars, Tom Bacarella WP Modeling Article Index Update 3, Pete Solyom Western Pacific Model Report, Pete Solyom
	Issue 4 A Tale of Two Engines - 3014 & 3020, John Ryczkowski 4051 Series PC/WP Box Cars, Pete Solyom WP GP40s - A Guide to Types, Larry Hanlon Western Pacific GP40 Views Western Pacific Model Report, Pete Solyom WP Modeling Article Index Update 2, Pete Solyom Assorted Reprinted Stories from Western Pacific Mileposts
	Issue 3 Western Pacific AAR Steel Box Cars, John Ryczkowski Western Pacific F3's in Freight Service, John Ryczkowski WP Series 1201 Tank Cars, Staff Report Western Pacific Model Report, Pete Solyom Trainsheet Back Issue Index WP Modeling Article Index to Date, Pete Solyom Assorted Reprinted Stories from Western Pacific Mileposts
	Issue 2 Joint Issue with Freight Cars Journal Issue 33 Western Pacific Freight Car Equipment List at the time of the UP Merger, John Ryczkowski Western Pacific Freight Car photos
	Issue 1 I Remember the Zephyr, Norman Holmes The California Zephyr, Reprinted from the November 1949 Railroad Magazine Welcome Aboard the California Zephyr, Reprinted CZ trip guide and timetable WP California Zephyr Equipment Diagrams WP FP7 and F3 Fold-Out Drawings Assorted Reprinted Stories from Western Pacific Mileposts Western Pacific Model Report, Pete Solyom

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