The Yuma Model Railroaders are working with the City of Yuma Riverfront Redevelopment and Heritage Foundation to assist in the preservation and restoration of Southern Pacific Railroad Passenger Coach Car No. 1643.  It is presently located at the U.S. Army Quartermasters Depot State Historic Park, located at 201 North 4th Ave in Yuma, Arizona.

 We are presently researching about this car and how to go about preserving and restoring this great piece of railroad history that we have here in Yuma. This is the history of this car as we best know it today.

 Check back as we continue to gather information and share it here on this web page.

If you have any information about this car or a story to share with us please contact us! See our contacts page or click here.

 The following pictures are some of #1643. The worn wood/gray faded paint was its then current condition prior o our beginning work on it. Then shown are SP 1643 primered and then in its 'Coach Green' livery. When we get the lettering and trim paint completed more will be added. Work has been held due to funding and other projects. A funding source has been made available and we hope to have the letting and trim paint completed in late Spring 2012.

History of the SP 1643:

 This car was originally constructed by the Central Pacific Railroad in its shops in Sacramento, California in 1875.

Early records are not available but it is known that the Central Pacific RR became the Southern Pacific Railroad and  #1643 operated in the Oakland-Alameda area for many years. In 1913 SPRR# 1643 was converted into a maintenance of way car. It stayed in service on the Southern Pacific Railroad until 1938 when it was taken out of service in Yuma and placed on a side track. Curiously it was assigned to the Los Angeles Division of the SPRR in maintenance of way service for the division plumber. Somewhere along the way it made it to Yuma somewhere between 1913 and 1938 when it was condemned by the SPRR Tucson Division and left on a siding in the Yuma Valley with two other similar cars. The other two were not as fortunate as the 1643 in their survival.

 SP 1643 was acquired and used by the American Legion in Yuma. It was purchased by Yuma resident Don Trigg some years later and stored inside a shed at the Westward Village Park on 8th Ave south of 32nd Street, site of the large cowboy statue. In 1991 it was donated to the Yuma Crossing Park as part of an interpretive display to be developed. It was joined by Southern Pacific steam locomotive #2521 until 2008 when #2521 was moved to its location on Madison Avenue. See our web page about #2521 for more info on it.

    In the early to mid 1990's a volunteer restoration effort was begun by a group known as the 'Railroad Retirees of Yuma Arizona". #1643 received a coat of paint on the outside and some work was begun on the interior. For a reason that we do not know of, the work ceased and 1643 has sat untouched until now.

   In 2006 the Arizona State Parks Museum Director commissioned a study for the future restoration of the  #1643.  The study, performed by noted rail car restoration expert Glen Guerra of Wisconsin, determined its structural condition, materials and a work plan required. All it needed was funding.......

    SP Coach Car #1643 is now being given some well deserved preservation care by members of the Yuma Model Railroaders Club to help maintain it and  save it from further deterioration until additional restoration work can be done. With materials provided by the Yuma Crossing Heritage Foundation, the YMRR Members have cleaned it and recently completed sealing and painting the roof.

UPDATE: October 8, 2011.

SP 1643 has recieved some much needed paint. It was sanded, given a sealing application of an oil based with Pentrol added for better adhesion, an additional coat of primer, all done by a local painting contractor. Painting of the exterior color was completed by members of the YMRR and has made a vast improvement in  its appearance. Lettering and trim paint is to follow in the coming weeks based on funds for materials being available.

As funds become available additional work will continue. This will include new platorms built, interior cleaning and restoration, and continued restorartion on the exterior.

Check back to see our future progress!

The Details

- as built:

- Built new Sacramento California in 1875 by Central Pacific Railroad
- Original Cost-$4,925.00
- Length at end sills - 43'
- Width at side sills - 9'7"
- Trucks -

 Wood frame

 6'-0" wheel base

4"x7" journals

33" wheels

- Brakes - Westinghouse triple valve, 10" cylinder

- Couplers - Janney (probably built with Miller Hook couplers)
- Seats - Plush walk over
- Seating capacity - 60
- Lighting - Pintsch gas, 3 fixtures mounted on ceiling centerline
- Gas holders - 1

Operational

               History:

At some point #1643 was assigned and operated in the Oakland/Alameda local service. Equipped with sliding platform gates which were removed 08/22/1908, reapplied 10/11/1909 (There may still be evidence of mounting bolt hole locations on the car sides adjacent to the platforms)
- Retired from revenue service, vacated - 1/1/1913
- Changed to MW #1391 at San Francisco, 9/16/1913

-Assigned MofW Service Los Angeles Division SPRR (Yuma and westward is part of the LA Division, Yuma East is part of Tucson Division. 

-Abandonded in Yuma in 1938 on a Yuma Valley siding along with two other wooden passenger cars that had been converted to MoW service. Unfortunately the other two rail cars did not fair as good of a fate as #1643. Story told is that they were destroyed in a fire.

More Information?

Do you know something about the history of Southern Pacific Coach Car # 1643 or any other railroad related event in Yuma? We would appreciate hearing from you about any information or stories!

 Contact us today!
We welcome your questions and queries. Please see our Contact Us page or click here for complete contact information.

About the Images

Pictures were taken and are used with permission of the Yuma Model Railroaders Members. please ask for further information regarding the use of these images outside our organization.