Also in California

There several, separate private backyard railroads in California (family names omitted for privacy)

North San Diego County area. - 3’ gauge railroad including a 0-4-0t

Orange County – 3’ gauge railroad with Baldwin 0-4-2t “Deanna” (this locomotive has operated at Ardenwood several times in the last several years)

San Gabriel – Grizzly Flats Railroad gauge railroad – 3’ gauge, 0-4-2t, Cloe, formerly (most rolling stock from this railroad collection to Orange Empire RR Museum)

There are persistent rumors of a new backyard railroad in the Napa area, with Ollie Johnson’s old porter 0-4-0.

Depending on where you draw the line between amusement park and railroad, you may want to include Disneyland’s significant 3’ gauge operation.

California Western, Willits California, 2-8-2 Baldwin

Christmas Tree farm, Sacramento, 0-4-0t, former Edison locomotive, privately owned.

Nevada County Narrow Gauge Museum, Nevada City CA, 3’ gauge privately owned 0-4-0 porter (former Sacramento Brick 1) (this locomotive operated at Ardenwood this year) The family also owes a 2 truck Heisler currently undergoing repairs to return it to operation.

The State Railroad Museum also has two running 3’ gauge 0-4-2t’s, one Badlwin, one Vulcan, both gifts of Henry Sorensen.

Jim, I have just the fix for you, head out to East Ely Feb 10, 11, & 12, for our annual photo shoot. We got steam, count'em two of em (40 & 93); a steam powered wrecking crane (thanks to TRAINS) historic cars, historic buildings and 30 miles of tracks.

And our friends over at Heber will be doing a photo shoot also on Feb 6, 7, & 8. More steam, snow, mountains and canyons.

Yes sir, we can fix you right up and cure what ails you.

In all seriousness, the Heber and the Nevada Northern Railway Museum are working together on winter photo shoots. They will be terrific, two railroads, three steam locomotives, and five days of steam railroading. It doesn't get much better then this. More information is on our website www.nnry.com

Also restored to operation in 2005 was Disneyland Railroad #5 "Ward Kimball" by Boschan Boiler & Restoration in Carson, CA. It is a 3' gauge 2-4-4T Forney former Cedar Point former Barker Lepine RR.

Insofar as the B&O Museum goes, I believe all four are, technically speaking, operable, but the St. Liz 4 is in the Restoration Facility having various dings and dents pounded out of it after a certain roof fall. As for the others, I haven't seen them steam in a while, and I suspect that one or more of the replicas or the Mason might be in need of a little paperwork processing or something.

Actually, the loop is finished, but it's only about 1/2 mile.

Here are a couple links to some people's online albums containing pics of the Lake Linden & Torch Lake RR:

http://pasty.com/pcam/jbaakko?&page=1

http://pasty.com/pcam/jalaska

The East Broad Top returned narrow gauge mikado #15 to service in Ocober 2005, after 3 years of repairs.

If I ever get to Michigan you will definately be a stop on my list. Thanks for the information.

John Bohon