On May 1, 2021, Niles Canyon Railway (NCRy) operated Columbia River Belt Line Railway 7, 2‐4‐4‐2 (BLW 33463 / 1909), "Skookum" between Verona and Niles, California, a distance of approximately 10 miles. The special train was operated to benefit restoration of Southern Pacific 1744, 2‐6‐0 (BLW 19671 / 1901), SP class M‐6, currently under repair at the NCRy Brightside, California shop. In the attached image, "Skookum" is seen crossing Pleasanton Sunol Road. In the distance: The former Western Pacific Railroad, now Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way crosses over the Niles Canyon Railway, formerly the Southern Pacific Transportation Company. Niles Canyon Railway: https://www.ncry.org/

Very nice, thank you!

TRS,

How far north of the UP bridge did they go with Skookum? Has the track laying made it yet to Happy Valley Rd?

Rob Gardner

The special train operated on May 1, 2021 was operated as far east as "Verona," milepost 38.5, in the area of the Sunol Boulevard level crossing. See the attached file, recorded at Verona at 09:57. The trains did not operate east of the I-680 underpass.

That's a keeper. Anybody know how long Skookum will be at NCRy? Thanks.