Talk:Southern Pacific Wendling Branch

From Lane Co Oregon

You might want to mention the Universal-International movie "Chartroose Caboose" (1960) in color was filmed exclusively along the Marcola Branch. As a film historian (and aerospace engineer turned syndicated radio host) I was one of the last folks to actually "rent" a copy of "Chartroose Caboose" on 16mm back in 1982, transferring it to 3/4" video tape at a TV station where I was once in charge of engineering. A sprinkler pipe burst in one of Universal's massive film vaults destroying not only the last few prints of the film but also the 35mm negatives and magnetic soundtrack! The film is one of the most collectible in existence and director William "Red" Reynolds originally from Eugene Oregon had exclusive use of an SP switcher to produce the light-hearted family film! Don Henderer, a friend and brakeman for his entire career on the SP was used during the filming of "Caboose" as the actual brakeman on the movie - Don passed on back in 2002. William Buchanan (who played Uncle Joe on CBS' "Petticoat Junction") was the star along with Capitol Records singer Molly Bee, Ben Cooper and Slim Pickens. "Chartroose Caboose" was the original screenplay for the concept sitcom which later became "Petticoat Junction" in 1963 and as you might remember, Buchanan was once a famous Eugene Oregon dentist before he turned to acting!

You might want to include this on your detail-oriented web-page. The movie shows the Hayden Bridge, the telltale (in various scenes) as well as the Marcola at 42nd Street grade crossing. Additionally, many scenes were filmed at the now-defunct Springfield Yard.

Shadoe Steele