Baggage #605

Introduction and History of NWP Baggage #605

Research suggests it was constructed in 1892 for San Francisco and North Pacific (denoted as car #5), it may have been built in either Lakeville / Donahue Landing, near Petaluma, or in the Tiburon shops. We do know that the Northwestern Pacific acquired the 605 when the NWP bought the SF&NP. The 605 ran from Tiburon past Petaluma to Cloverdale and on to Eureka under the NWP flag. The car was retired in 1932 at which point it was reconfigured as a house in Alto (a subdivision in Mill Valley) and remained in this state for half a century. The NWP Historical Society acquired the car and moved it to the Petaluma Trolley Yard in August 2010. The car is currently undergoing restoration. Project director Scott Bowdish has made a scale model of one end of the car so we can figure out how to rebuild the missing ends. No construction plans for this car were found. The lower roof rafters and the door jamb on one side have been repaired or replaced. As the weather gets better rebuilding of the roof will commence. The car’s interior had been sandblasted and the roof rafters (carlines), are not salvagable and will be replaced. We will also be replacing the roof sheathing and clerestory windows.

Scott Bowdish, project manager, built models to understand how Car #605 was constructed. These models have been seen in use at the Restoration yard.

Pictures

Archives

  • From The Headlight April 2013

    NWP Baggage Car 605 By Mike Manson Repair work continues on two of the baggage door frames. During conversion of the car to a dwelling these door openings were enlarged … read more

  • From The Headlight February 2013

    From The Headlight February 2013 NWP Baggage Car 605 By Mike Manson When we rescued Baggage Car 605 from its enclosing structure the platform roofs were conspicuous in their absence. … read more

  • From The Headlight December 2012

    NWP Baggage Car 605 By Mike Manson Since the last issue of the Headlight the Restoration Team had only a couple of work sessions before the end-of-year shutdown, so there … read more

  • From The Headlight June 2012

    NWP Baggage Car 605 Work Plan for 2012 By Mike Manson No work has been done so far this season on NWP 605, and like CP 29 it was kept … read more