to view - Golden Gate Railroad Museum

THE DISPATCHER’S SHEET
G O L D E N
G A T E
R A I L R O A D
M U S E U M
SP 2472 Steam in
Niles Canyon
May 24, 25, & 26, 2008
See inside
Members’
Meetings:
Second Saturdays, 9:30am
SP2979 lounge
Brightside Yard, Niles
Canyon, Fremont, CA
April 2008n
Dispatcher’s Sheet
PUBLISHER: Ron Vane
EDITORS: Laura Bajuk, Ron Vane,
Dave Varley
Board of Directors
Dave Hensarling, President
Garrett Brisbee, Vice President
Laura Bajuk, Secretary
Ron Vane, Treasurer 650-369-0133
Jim Bunger,
Doug Debs
Mark Gleason
Cris Hart
Dave Varley
Dave Roth, Operations Mgr. 510367-8595
Dave Varley, 2472 Chief Mechanical
Officer
Jim Kyser, Diesel Shop Manager
Cris Hart, Number 4
Jim Bunger, “Oakland”
Severn Edmonds, Lounge Car 2979
Laura Bajuk, Membership
Office Manger -Open
WWW.GGRM.ORG
Help needed for Steam Train
Operation Memorial Day
In addition to the 2472 Steam team, we need
help from other GGRM and PLA members.
The follow jobs are available and will allow
you to ride the trains as part of the staff.
GGRM will be working with PLA to fill the
following jobs:
Ticket agents—all three days
Display Train docents –Sunday
Parking
Train hosts and Docents
Photo line monitors
Security—Set up fencing
Security Brightside
Commissary
Concessions sales
Car inspection and mechanical
Call Dave Roth or Ron Vane to volunteer
May 10 Members Meeting
Organizational meeting for the 2472
operation. Find out what we need to do
to get ready.
Publicity, mailing, and poster help
needed.
Memberships: Friend $25, regular-$40, Sustaining $75, Patron $150
Associate (for limited incomes) $25:
$_______
Please accept my tax-deductible gift to the GGRM
$_______
Total..........
$_______
Name_________________________________________
___Check enclosed
___ Visa or Master Card
Address____________________________________CC#__________________________
________________________________________
Expiration date__________________
________________________Phone_________________ Signature_________________________
All donors of $20 or more receive a subscription to our newsletter so you may follow our progress.
Make check to Golden Gate RR Museum.
Send to: Laura Bajuk, GGRM Membership Secretary, 3469 Bryant St.,
Palo Alto, CA 94306
After 50 Years, Southern Pacific Steam Returns to Niles
Canyon.
By David Hensarling, President – Golden Gate Railroad Museum
In 1958, Southern Pacific #2475 (P-8) was on an excursion from San Jose to Tracy,
CA. It was this excursion would mark the last visit to Niles Canyon by a Pacific
Class SP Locomotive. Interestingly enough, some members of GGRM or PLA were
on that very train including both Henry Luna and Doug Debs.
It is now 50 years later and it is with great pleasure that I announce the return of SP
Steam to Niles Canyon on the weekend of May 24th – May 26th.
The Golden Gate Railroad Museum in partnership with the Pacific Locomotive
Association will be running a series of special trains over this weekend in
commemoration of this 50th anniversary.
On Saturday, May 24th the event will kick off with “run-by” excursion trains
focused on providing photo opportunities from unique vantage points on the Niles
Canyon Railway for those on board the train. Many of these photo run-by locations
will be only available to those who purchase tickets to be on board the train. In
addition there will be a limited number of tickets available for these trains so as to
provide the best possible photographic opportunities for the passengers.
Sunday, May 25th, SP 2472 and other heritage equipment will be on display in
Niles, while the normal Sunday PLA schedule is run. This will provide an
opportunity for us to act in our role as a “museum” to educate the general public on
the preservation of historic railroad equipment and the mission of both the GGRM
and PLA organizations.
Monday, May 26th special trains will be run according the standard Sunday
schedule using SP 2472. This event is focused on proving the opportunity to ride
behind historic steam in commemoration of this 50th anniversary. There will be no
“run-by” opportunities on any of these trains.
The funds raised from this event will go to support the museum and restoration
operations of both the GGRM and PLA. As we are all well aware, the cost of
restoring and running historic railroad equipment is never an inexpensive
proposition. I personally, also view this operation as a critical part of our
responsibility to educate the general public on the role that railroading played in the
development and history of the Bay Area.
I hope you are excited as I am about the return of SP steam to Niles Canyon and the
partnership between the PLA and GGRM that has helped make it possible! If you
have questions or concerns about the operation, you can reach me via email at
[email protected]
2472 Steam Special
Saturday May 24
A special all day event for photographers and railfans with many photo stops along the way. An all
enclosed car consist will make the train look like 1950 - No open tourist cars to get in the pictures. This train has limited seating and a
special fare for those who wish to support the operation of the steam in Niles canyon. Fare includes a picnic lunch in the Sunol Depot
Gardens. Wear sturdy closed toe shoes or boots at photo stops. At photo stops beware of tripping and falling hazards, sharp objects,
snakes, and poison oak. There is no handicap access to the antique railcars and engines.
Niles Departure at 9:00 am
Fares: Members $125, Regular $150, Motor Photo pass $50.
Member prices apply to paid up members of GGRM, and PLA. Only a limited number of tickets
will be sold for this train for crowd control at photo stops. When reserving tickets please tell agent which
organization(s) you are a member of .
All tickets for Saturday train will be held at will call—open 7:30 am. Postcard
acknowledgements of your order will be mailed up to one week before the operation.
For photographers who wish to chase the train by auto the motor photo pass holders will be given
the train handouts and the picnic lunch in Sunol. Pass holder are responsible for their own safety.
Motorists are warned that parking is restricted in many places in Niles Canyon, and that the sheriff and
Highway Patrol will be looking for traffic violations.
Bightside yard admission on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday will be limited to PLA and
GGRM members only.
Sunday May 25 — SP 2472 Display Train in Sunol
On Sunday May 25th SP 2472 will be on display steamed up in Sunol along with SP business car
Oakland, the Daylight Streamliner coach, and the Snowbound Streamliner RPO. Admission to
the train display is $5 for adults and free for kids 12 and under. Hours 10:00 am to 5 pm. NO
advanced ticket sales.
The regular NCRY Sunday trains will depart Sunol at 10:30, 12:00, 1:30, 3:00 . Ride from Niles
at 11:10 am, 12:40 pm, and 2:10 pm. Tickets for the Monday steam train rides will be available.
Monday May 26 - 2472 Family Trains – from Sunol
Lv. Sunol at 10:30, 12:00, 1:30, 3:00 for non-stops trips to Niles and return: SP 2472 will pull the train on the return from Niles. A
vintage Diesel will be used from Sunol for the backwards move to Niles. The train will have open cars, covered cars and enclosed cars.
$25 Adults / $10 Children 4-12. Under 4 not occupying seat free. Seats not reserved. Tickets good for one round trip only
on any train. Tell agent when ordering your departure time.
Treat the family to a train ride behind big steam in Niles Canyon!
Order tickets from:
2472 Steam/ Key Holidays - 925-944-5883, 1141 Bont Lane, Walnut Creek,
CA 94596 or via email [email protected].
Payment can be by check (made out to PLA/Key Holidays), MasterCard, Visa or Discover. Tickets sold
after May 19 will be at Will Call.
Tickets are not refundable if the event operates.
There is no handicap access to the antique railcars and engines.
More information at GGRM.org and NCRY.org
2979 Lounge Car Progress
Our SP 2979 can now go to town sporting recently completed steps for
entry on the vestibule end. While there is additional welding along with
some touch up work to be done, the steps are functional and safe to use.
We all consider it to be a major accomplishment. All that may present itself
as obstacles are overcome with the amazing assistance I have from Jim
Cesari, Jay King, George Ashley, Dick Stussi, Ralph Bennett, Dave Roth
and Jeff Weeks. Jay, Jim and George mounted the muffler, made electrical
connections for power from the genset and continue to hook up the
necessary wiring for operation from the electrical cabinet. Included is
the relocating of shore power to a more convenient placement. We are
also getting very close to ordering the air conditioning and heating
features. Fabricating is moving along now with all that has to be done
in closing off the car and applying the sheathing that will make the car
whole. Many little jobs are also taking place such as exterior lighting,
handrails, piping and hardware. The refrigerator is settling in so nicely
maintaining 38 degrees keeping our beverages cold. Sound system
adds a lot to the ambience as well.
In closing, it was good
to see the return of Jim
Prettyleaf and his
willingness to help with
fabricating and
welding.
-Severn Edmonds
Members
needed, join
today.
THE DISPATCHER’S SHEET
Monthly News from the Golden Gate Railroad Museum
1755 East Bayshore Rd. Suite 19A
Redwood City, CA 94063
New GGRM Members
Needed Today!
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