Southern Pacific
Historical & Technical Society
2008 Annual Conference
Bakersfield, California
September 24-28, 2008
NEW: Download printable brochure and registration form!
Bakersfield, the major southern railroad hub of California's rich and sprawling San Joaquin Valley, and gateway to Tehachapi Pass, is the site of the 28th Annual Convention of the Southern Pacific Historical and Technical Society. Our Conference headquarters will be the luxurious Doubletree Hotel, the location of our 2003 convention, and easily reachable from either I-5 or the 99 freeways.
Convention activities begin Wednesday morning, September 24th, with an extra fare trip to Ridgecrest where we will visit Terry Haven's large HO scale Sierra Western railroad which recreates the Southern Pacific Railroad of the late 1940s and early 1950s in the San Joaquin Valley, after which we will travel to Trona to visit the facilities of Searles Valley Minerals and the Trona Railway. Seating is limited so register early! Additional extra fare trips are being offered Thursday and Friday night as well.
Photo © John Sweetser
Three solid days of presentations begin Thursday morning, September 25th, starting at 8:00 a.m. Each program will be given twice, to maximize your opportunity to attend an excellent series of programs put together by people who know SP railroading. A full slate of new presentations is planned. Other activities include model displays, the wall of trains, a model contest and photo contest, all in a room with a 24-hour security guard. — bring in your latest creation and the chance to win an award. This year, there is a special contest for models of PMT equipment. There will also be an improved and larger vendor's room providing the only sales venue, a Board of Directors meeting, annual members meeting, old timers talk and cocktail party.
Presentations
We are pleased to offer the following presentations which focus on the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California:
| Don Ball | The Stockton & Copperopolis: Southern Pacific's Oakdale and Milton Branches |
| Michael Bording | Life as a Relief Train Master |
| Pat Bray | Modeling Southern Pacific Cabooses in the 1960s |
| Vince Cipolla and John Edwards | The Seniority Roster |
| Rod Crossley | Antique Postcards: Views of the Southern Pacific Railroad |
| Dr. William Klope | Lumber Trains in Southern California in the 1960s and 1970s |
| Charles Lange | "Tehachapi" and "Milepost Memories" |
| Bruce Morden | What Will it Cost to Get There? A Look at the San Joaquin Division |
| Don Munger | San Joaquin Daylight: A Train for all Cars |
| Tony Thompson | Hoppers and Covered Hoppers of the Southern Pacific |
| Special Presentations: | |
|---|---|
| Richard Curts | In the Shack by the Track: Scenes from City of Industry |
| Gordon Glattenburg | East and West of Bakersfield: The Valley and the Jawbone |
| Dr. James Lancaster | Citrus Packing Plants on the East Valley Line |
| "The Godfather" | Old-Timers Talk |
Extra Fare
Wednesday September 24, 2008
— Trip to Ridgecrest and Trona
Departing the Doubletree at 8:30 am, our first destination is the town of Ridgecrest to visit the HO scale Sierra Western, created by Terry Haven. Housed in a 28x52 room, it recreates the Southern Pacific Railroad of the late 1940s and early 1950s in the San Joaquin Valley. Following will be lunch from a local submarine sandwich shop, your choice of meal. Afterwards we will travel to Trona to visit the facilities of Searles Valley Minerals. Attendees will take a "windshield tour" of the processing plant for the minerals, followed by a tour of the engine facility and the locomotives. Expected arrival time in Bakersfield is 5:30 pm. This tour is age restricted to those over eighteen. Also, while all are invited, this tour will not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please plan accordingly. There is a maximum of two tickets per registration: primary registrant and spouse/significant other or relation. Limited to 44 people; $50 per person.
Thursday September 25, 2008
— Tour of Local Layouts
Departing the Doubletree at 6:30 p.m. and returning at 8:30 p.m., we will visit three local layouts. One home layout represents Dunsmuir, and the other an eastern railroad. The third is the well-regarded club known as the Golden Empire Modeling and Historical Society. The club operates in a two-story building, with an HO-scale layout on one floor and an N-scale layout on the other floor. $15 per person.
Friday September 26, 2008
— Trip to Kern County Museum
Departing the Doubletree at 4:45 p.m. and returning at 6:45 p.m., the museum is dedicated to preserving the local history, including structures which are important to that history. Related to the Southern Pacific Railroad, these structures include a portable jail, a concrete phone booth, and the Bena Depot. The museum is also the home of a large collection dedicated to transportation, especially automobiles and trucks. However, its largest piece of equipment is former Southern Pacific steam locomotive 2914. $15 per person.
Area Attractions
While in town enjoy Bakersfield's fine restaurants featuring Basque, Italian, Mexican and American cuisine. Bakersfield is also famed for its many locations featuring Country Western entertainment. The area in and around Bakersfield exhibits a great deal of railroading. Visit the former Southern Pacific depot in Bakersfield or travel south to Tehachapi Pass, and the site of the famous "Loop" at Walong. Watch the San Joaquin Valley Railroad operate on former SP trackage in and around the area or watch modern passenger trains arrive and depart on the Amtrak San Joaquin route. As always, follow railroad property access and safety rules.
Hotel Reservations
Doubletree Hotel Bakersfield
3100 Camino Del Rio Court
Bakersfield, CA 93308
The Doubletree Bakersfield is located at the intersection of Rosedale Highway and Camino del Rio Court. The hotel is adjacent to California State Route 99 and conveniently located near many local attractions. Room rates per night are $104 for one bed or $114 for two beds, plus state and local taxes. These rates are good until Friday August 22, 2008, so please make your reservations early. Reservations may be made by calling 1-800-222-Tree or by calling directly at 1-661-632-2200. When you call, please use our convention code "SPH" to receive these special room rates. For those who prefer using the internet, please visit DoubleTree.com to make reservations.