Amtrak 717 slows on its approach to its first station stop, Wasco, since it originated at Bakersfield on a cool, fall afternoon. As the lower-level train of mostly ex-New Jersey Transit cars is decelerated the northbound San Joaquin passes a veteran of the Savage Inc. facility located here - SVGX 8611. Built in October of 1952 for the Santa Fe Railway, the unit rolled out of EMD's shops as the ATSF 2797. Following its renumbering by the Santa Fe to 2156, the unit was purchased by Savage and kept this number but with the reporting marks change to SVGX. In the early 2000's the 66-year-old unit received its current paint scheme and final renumbering to 8611 that it wears today. Coal trains to and from Wasco have significantly declined in their frequency calling on Wasco...leading this old locomotive with an uncertain future for its operations here.
From one train each way in 1973 between Bakersfield and Oakland when it started up, this line as expanded to six trips daily; four to Oakland and two to Sacramento.
