Another one of those longtime projects finds some new life.

Details from the California Trolley and Rail Corporation’s website. In short, the move allows for both organizations to potentially complete longtime goals. When completed, SP 2479 gets a place to run (on home rails mind you), and Niles gets a place to store its steam locomotives

https://ctrc.org/ctrc-blog/move-to-nile ... VusEiOfbXU

Congratulations!
I am so happy that now some organizations find the logical rational way to center the
efforts to become a leading RR related enterprise for the Bay Area.
This is so much more relieving than the usual seen selfish decisions like GGRM to move
to a location in the nowhere...
Cross all my fingers that works out fine for the PLA future.

The roundhouse was in use by SP until it was damaged in an earthquake in 1989, and donated in 1994, but was in need of structural repairs and I believe has sat vacant since then. Here it is with what looks like an FM Trainmaster in it:

What about SP 1215. This 0-6-0 is the oldest surviving SP switcher. To my knowledge it
is also owned by CTRC. Will it moved to Niles Canyon too?

Good News.

From my distant view it was look like that PLA/NCRy shifted to a more Diesel oriented
restoration facility the last 20 years.

With the acquisition of SP 1744 and that news it looks like they will now focus back to
steam like it was intented by the PLA founders.

Is here anybody from their steam department? Do you have a master plan and timeline for
the 10+ Steamers or just do like the actual board likes which can switch anytime the
board preference changes?

1. Operational steam. Keep it operational long time or just until 1472 run out then....?
Clover Valley Lumber #4 Baldwin 2-6-6-2T
Quincy Railroad #2 Alco 2-6-2T
W.A.Woodard Lumber #3 Alco 2-6-2T

2. Steam for restoration. Operational or display restoration in a planned order?
Sierra Railway #12 3-truck Shay
Standard Lumber #5 3-truck Heisler
Sierra Railway #30 Baldwin 2-6-2
Southern Pacific #1269 SP Sacramento 0-6-0
Southern Pacific #1744 Baldwin 2-6-0
Southern Pacific #2479 Baldwin 4-6-2 "this topic"

3. Southern Paciifc #2467 Baldwin 4-6-2 still owned by PLA an long term lease to CSRM?

4. Columbia River Belt Line Railway "Skookum" Baldwin 2-4-4-2 long time operational lease
or return to Chris Baldo anytime soon?

I thought Niles Canyon had a problem with limited space for expansion?

It has been disassembled already apparently, I think this means the roundhouse will be reassembled in Fremont (which Niles is a district of) which has more room than Brightside in Niles Canyon where their shop is located:
“Our master plan has always included a roundhouse facility in Niles,” said Henry Baum, president of the Pacific Locomotive Association. “Both the roundhouse and locomotive are natural additions to our historic railroad collection. We will immediately begin to develop our Niles site focused around these incredible assets. A topological survey of our Niles site will be undertaken to allow design work to commence. PLA volunteer and Architect Randall Ruiz will be leading this design effort, assisted by Architect Marvin Bamburg who oversaw the deconstruction of the roundhouse when it was originally donated to Santa Clara County."

No. My employer, History San Jose, is very content with the 1215/OSH boxcar/caboose display. As part of these chess board moves, the current MOPAC caboose behind the boxcar will be swapped with the SP bay window that is coupled to 2479’s tender at the fairgrounds. The MOPAC caboose will then be relocated elsewhere on the History Park grounds where it will made ADA compliant to allow interior use.

What happen with the Little Buttercup she stay in San Jose?? I know she was on loan by the CRM. And its look like 2467 stay in Sacramento now??

After a short period of time, CSRM formally transferred ownership of Little Buttercup to CTRC many years ago. She will remain displayed indoors in San Jose.

Nobody mentioned that the Coyote depot will move to History Park. My only hope is that they can build a shelter to minimize weather impacts on SP 1215.

Overall, this development is a winner, full stop.

Personal note: one of the proposed museum locations was at near the Guadalupe River Park near Santa Teresa Street, about five minutes from where I used to live. Alas, the museum never came to be and I don't live there any more anyway. see https://www.railpictures.net/photo/134900/

Message to Ken M.-Would you be interested in doing an article on this for The Ferroequinologist?

I cannot speak on behalf of the PLA or those we've come to call the "steamies," but I feel that they do a great job. Few all-volunteer organizations are able to roster three operable steam locomotives, which is something they've done consistently for many years.

I believe the roundhouse project will elicit more enthusiasm and support for the steam program and the PLA in general, but in the meantime it is worth considering that the priorities of any organization needs to sustainably balance their limited volunteer power and budget with their desire to make everything run.

Just nitpicking, but clearly the author meant to say topographic. ;)

I'd be very interested in seeing a topological survey myself...... that's disappointing.

I wonder how you would handle the relocation and construction of the roundhouse? Would you sort through everything in SJ and only move the material to Niles as necessary for the reconstruction? Or, alternatively, would you just move all the material to Niles and sort it out there?