On the weekend of May 5-6, the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum will be holding it's third annual "Round Up" at the Santa Margarita Ranch (located approx. 10 miles north of SLO off Highway 101). The event is this year's only public operation of the Pacific Coast Railroad, a two-mile narrow-gauge line which, as of this time, operates only for private/group functions. Four locomotives are expected to be under steam; No. 1 - a 25-ton Harpur 4-4-0, No. 2 - a Vulcan 2-4-0 featured on the television series "Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman," No. 3 - a rebuilt 1897 Porter 2-6-2, and a special visitor. Passengers will ride in the original "Retlaw One" coaches built for the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad in 1955. There will also be a photo freight with ex-D&RGW boxcars and the recently-restored IRCA caboose 303.

Various exhibitors/retailers will be set up in the c.1787 Santa Margarita de Cortona Asistencia, one of the oldest mortared stone structures in California. Additionally, there will be live entertainment, two operable steam tractors, a 7-1/2" gauge track, and an Operation Lifesaver simulator.

Admission ($12 adults/$6 children) includes unlimited rides on the railroad and participation in other festivities. A BBQ lunch may be had for an additional cost. For more information on the event, see http://slorrm.com/media/roundupflyer07.pdf. Advance ticket purchase required.

And to learn more about the Pacific Coast Railroad, visit our blog at http://pcrailroad.blogspot.com

Ed Kelley
Pacific Coast Railroad