-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



Feather River Rail Society Adds Rare and Historic WP Steel Gondola.



Following the recent acquisitions of Western Pacific GP7 705, Quincy Railroad/Southern Pacific TR6A 1100 and California Zephyr dome-coach "Silver Lodge", the FRRS is please to announced the donation of a very significant and rare item of Western Pacific freight equipment: steel gondola WP 4408.



In 1953, the WP ordered 100 special, short-bodied gondolas from Greenville Car for steel coil service. These cars were significant in being among the first large orders of freight cars featuring Timken Roller bearings. In the late 1970's, 25 of these cars were refurbished, renumbered and continued in steel service. Now reduced to only a couple of scattered examples, the Union Pacific has graciously donated one of the last survivors to the FRRS. The car will be repainted back to its original Western Pacific scheme with the "Timken Roller Bearing Equipped" logos on it. The car is a very welcome addition to our collection and showcases one of the major innovations in railroading.



Thank you Union Pacific!



The Portola Railroad Museum, operated by the non-profit Feather River Rail Society, is one of the largest railroad museums in the United States. With over 120 pieces of rolling stock covering nearly the entire 20th Century, the museum features one of the most comprehensive collections focusing on a single railroad company. The museum is located in Plumas County, in the city of Portola and is open to the public from early March until the end of October. From Memorial Day until Labor Day, caboose train rides are offered on weekends. Also, the PRM is home to the famous Run-A-Locomotive program, available by appointment, which allows our guests the experience of running a real, full-size railroad locomotive.



For more information on the Feather River Rail Society and the Portola Railroad Museum, please visit www.WPLives.org or call 530.832.4131. For Run-A-Locomotive information, call 530.832.4532.





Eugene Vicknair

Secretary, FRRS