After 50 Years, SP Pacific Class Passenger Steam Returns to Niles Canyon.
By David Hensarling, President – Golden Gate Railroad Museum
In 1958, Southern Pacific #2475 (P-8) powered a passenger excursion train through Niles Canyon. This excursion from San Jose to Tracy, CA marked the last passenger excursion train pulled by a Pacific class locomotive through Niles Canyon. Interestingly enough, some members of GGRM and PLA were on that very train including Henry Luna, Doug Debs and Ron Vane. It was a “run-by” photograph taken at Farwell Bridge on this trip that would later serve as the inspiration for the PLA logo.
It is now 50 years later and it is with great pleasure that we announce the return of SP Pacific Class Passenger 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 a special railfan excursion train focused on providing photo opportunities from unique vantage points on the Niles Canyon Railway for those on board the train that recreate the 1958 passenger excursion train. Many of these photo run-by locations will be only available to those who purchase tickets to be on board the train. This train will depart out of the Niles Depot at 9am with a return time of 4:30pm. A Picnic lunch will be provided.
Sunday, May 25th, SP 2472 and other heritage equipment will be on display in Sunol, during the normal Sunday PLA operations. This will provide an opportunity for us to educate the public on the preservation of historic railroad equipment and the mission of both the GGRM and PLA organizations.
Monday, May 26th special trains will run round trip from Sunol on the standard Sunday schedule using SP 2472. The focus of this event is to provide the opportunity to ride behind historic steam in commemoration of this 50th anniversary. There will be no “run-by” opportunities on any of the Monday trains.
Tickets will be available starting on May 1st through 2472 Steam / Key Holidays - 925-944-5883, 1141 Bont Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 or via email 2472tickets@ggrm.org. Payment can be by check (made out to PLA/Key Holidays), MasterCard, Visa or Discover. The pricing for the events will be as follows:
Saturday All Day Ticket (Non-Members) - $150.00
Saturday All Day Ticket (Members) – $125.00
Sunday display Train - $5.00 (fee at the train)
Monday – $25 Adults / $10 (Single Round Trip From Sunol)
All tickets for the 2472 special trains will be mailed out up to 10 days prior to the event. After that point tickets are available on a will call basis at the Sunol Station with a photo id.
The funds raised from this event will go to support the museum and restoration operations of both the PLA and GGRM.
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 president@ggrm.org
Additional information and order forms are available at http://www.ggrm.org
