Owl Service Over Tehachapi - La Mesa Model Railroad Club

The Owl never received the notoriety enjoyed by most named passenger trains. Beyond a handful of railfan articles and photographs taken as its years of service began to wind down, it was never a particularly large or celebrated train. Baggage, mail, express, and Railway Post Office cars often far outnumbered revenue passenger-carrying equipment. SP management pulled every available string to reduce passenger service as mounting losses were recorded in the ledgers—losses that also began to affect revenue-boosting freight operations.

SP 6461, along with 6453 and SP 8295, handles this Oakland-bound train as advertised. Despite only a small number of chair-car passengers and an automat that generated little income, the sleeper provided its own reliable source of revenue, courtesy of businessmen whose travel needs extended beyond routine trips between the Bay Area and Southern California.

Needless to say, the Owl remains one of my favorite trains.

Disclaimer: I am not a professional videographer and only share these images for the enjoyment of the hobby and for those who do not have the means to visit the La Mesa Model Railroad Club. To the viewers who expect the highest quality high-definition sound and video equipment at the ready, make a donation to the San Diego Model Railroad Museum by visiting https://www.sdmrm.org/ and support local businesses.

Vic Yoder:    / @victoryoder  
Vic Yoder Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/7150944...
Soundtraxx: https://soundtraxx.com/
Durango DCC: https://durangodcc.com/
Pacific Coast Lines:   / brassmag  
La Mesa Model Railroad Club: https://tehachapipass.club/
San Diego Model Railroad Museum:   / modelrailroadmuseum