Tidewater Southern Notebook
44-Tonner 135 (nee 735)
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Photograph Copyright ©1998 by Guy Dunscomb

Tidewater Southern 44-Tonner 135 was captured by veteran lensman and Modesto resident Guy Dunscomb over the July 4th weekend of 1947. The venerable G.E. is hauling the Tidewater's sole remaining steam locomotive, No. 132, and its train down Modesto's Ninth Street. 
 

Tidewater Southern 135
  • First diesel-electric on the property 
  • Builder: G.E. 
  • Built: 1947 
  • Horsepower: 380 
  • Dispostion: Renumbered to TS 735, then sold to Pickering Lumber 1967. 
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    By 1946 Tidewater Southern's two electric steeple cab locomotives were tired and worn out. They were also underpowered as train lengths and weights began climbing upward in the post-war Central Valley. The answer was to place an order with General Electric for a one of their popular 44-ton diesel-electric locomotives. 

    The City Of Modesto restricted the use of steam power within city limits by banning its use on city streets. Management's creative solution was to use one of their electric steeple cabs, and later diesel-electric locomotives to haul the silently simmering steamer down the length of the pavement.
     

    From Black To Yellow

    Ken Rattenne Photo
    Three former MKT GP40s slow their grain train as they prepare to leave the Southern Pacific main line for the former Tidewater line at Modesto Junction (SP milepost 114.8).     		 At of the beginning of 1999 Union Pacific was still operating trains down Ninth Street, much to the chagrin of Modesto City Fathers. 

    The massive grain trains have for the most part, been moved from Ninth Street, using the former Southern Pacific main line between Lathrop Junction (near Manteca) and Modesto to attain their original mainline.

    Local jobs out of Stockon, however,  still use the original line, including the Modesto street trackage. Due to the traffic congestion that still exists on the former SP Central Valley line, UP operating officials have decided to keep the original Tidewater line active. 

    The City of Modesto claimed all trains will be gone from Ninth Street by the end of 1997. 

    Well, maybe in 1999.