Apache Railroad

Apache Railway

The Apache Railway runs south from the BNSF interchange at Holbrook to the paper mill west of Snowflake. They have a fleet of pristine Alco's, including 3 ex CPR C424's, and 4 C420's (from the L&N and N&W).

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NEW! The Apache ran a special passenger train with 2 privately owned cars on June 3, 2006. See the new photos below with a shaded background.

	Here is an ex SP RS11 stored at Snowflake on Oct. 23, 1985, in the Apache's Bi-Centennial scheme. I think these units were eventually sold to Mexico.
	This is the Apache's observation car, at Snowflake Oct. 23, 1985. This car was sold to the Yuma Valley Railway, and is used on their passenger trains.
	Here is Apache #700, one of three RS36's bought new. In recent years this unit was restricted to yard service around the paper mill, and likely will be the first of the "new" Alco's to be retired, account bad wiring.
	The northbound train is arriving at the Holbrook interchange with the Santa Fe (now BNSF) on April 25, 1987. The train usually runs to Holbrook once a day, arriving there in the early afternoon.
	After Stone Container bought out Southwest Forest Products, the Alco's were painted a very attractive green and white. Here is a southbound train just south of Holbrook on July 30, 1994 as monsoon storm clouds build in the background.
	On June 14, 1995 the train is at the junction switch to Snowflake headed southbound with loads for the paper mill.
	On Aug. 19, 1995 I got the northbound train near the junction switch to Snowflake, Arizona snaking around a curve.
	How often does this happen?? The sun actually came out briefly during this monsoon thunderstorm while the southbound train was climbing the hill just out of Holbrook. A rare example of being in the right place at the right time :). August 19, 1995.
	On a beautiful August afternoon around 5pm the northbound train is just arriving at Holbrook with 2 of the new "Canadians" (the ex CPR C424's) under Kodachrome skies. August 4, 1998.
	On June 3, 2006 The Apache ran a special passenger train with 2 privately owned cars and two of the C424's. Shown here at the Snowflake Shops ready to board.
	View from the cab of No. 99 while passengers are boarding.
	Looking back at our train just before leaving the shops.
	All on the main! Clouds of nice Alco smoke boil out of the 99 and the 98.
	A few miles up the track we stopped for the first of two runbys.
	The second runby....
	Arriving at Holbrook - the Amtrak unit was set off for mechanical problems.
	The BNSF Local is switching cars as we uncouple the passenger cars and run to the west end of Holbrook yard to run around them.
	Hot Rail Westbound! A BNSF double stack is headed westbound at a high rate of speed.
	One of the Apache crew members is making the joint on the private cars.
	"Fred" is being installed and checked prior to departing Holbrook.
	Just leaving Holbrook headed south.
	There is a large pig farm at Mile 15, and here is a view of the feed unloading facility.
	A small part of the pig farm.
	Back at the Snowflake shops the train is positioned for the passengers to detrain.
	Another view of the passenger cars once everyone has left.
	The 2 C424's are now being put away for the night. This slide and the next two were shot on Fuji Provia 100F film.
	The units are being positioned in the shops for the night. Compare this Provia 100F shot with the one 3 frames above, which was shot on Kodachrome 64. There is a noticeable difference....but you decide which one is "better".
	The 3 RS36's have been retired and stored for a while now, and they are being used for parts.

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